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Charlie Nicholas' European predictions: Liverpool v Man City

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas previews and predicts the midweek European games

Charlie Nicholas has had his say on this week's European ties, including an all-English Champions League quarter-final.

The Champions League quarter-final action kicked off on Tuesday as two-time reigning champions Real Madrid cruised past last season's losing finalists Juventus 3-0, while runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich took command themselves with a 2-1 win at Sevilla.

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Get all three big derbies this weekend with the Sky Sports Premier League channel, £18 a month with no contract.

On Wednesday night, the two remaining Premier League sides, Liverpool and Manchester City, clash at Anfield, while Barcelona host outsiders Roma.

Here's what Charlie is predicting for the forthcoming clashes...

Liverpool v Manchester City (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

Well, can we have another 4-3? Anything is possible when these two meet, although I think there will be a bit of an adjustment from City's approach.

I think City will be more reserved and compact as last time Liverpool cut through the middle of them, so they'll want to force them out wide.

Mo Salah
Image: Liverpool's Mo Salah is one of the frontrunners for Player of the Year

Yes, Liverpool deserved to win when they met here in the league but there were crazy spells where either side could have run away with it.

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This is a game where Mohamed Salah can cement himself as the PFA Player of the Year and leave Kevin De Bruyne to be content with just the Premier League title and a League Cup win.

However, I still think this tie will be alive if Liverpool win 3-1 and I think there will be everything to play for in the second leg.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Salah to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Charlie's RequestABet
Charlie's RequestABet

Find out what Charlie is backing in his 66/1 Juventus v Real Madrid RAB here.

Barcelona v Roma (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

I've been watching Roma with interest this season and they were my dark horses, but Barcelona are the team I'd love to see win it.

Roma will double up on Lionel Messi but he'll be just fine with that, dragging them all over the pitch and opening the game up for his team-mates.

Ousmane Dembele celebrates with Lionel Messi
Image: Ousmane Dembele (left) is expected to line up for Barcelona against Roma

Barca do struggle a bit with Philippe Coutinho being cup-tied as Paco Alcacer isn't sufficient back-up and Ousmane Dembele is still adapting alongside players of the ilk of Messi and Luis Suarez.

I think they'll go with Dembele, who has the pace to exploit those gaps left by Roma focusing on Messi, and it should be a comfortable night at the Nou Camp if he can step up.

Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Suarez to score first (14/1 with Sky Bet)

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