UCL: Porto to stun Chelsea and City to win it all - Sportsmail's experts say

The Champions League is hotting up and soon eight must become four as the quarter-finals make a return following the conclusion of the international break.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are flying the flag for the Premier League, while heavyweights Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid remain strong contenders for the top prize.

Here, Sportsmail's experts give their verdict on who will make the last four, their tips for the final and who the star man will turn out to be.

MATT BARLOW

Who will make the semi-finals?

Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

And the winner?

City to win it. The Premier League is sewn-up and they are in sublime form with the depth of squad to keep going on multiple fronts. Unlike previous years, Bayern might actually have a fight on their hands to retain the Bundesliga title.

Who will be the tournament's star man?

Kevin De Bruyne… finally time to shine on the European stage.

JACK GAUGHAN

Who will make the semi-finals?

Liverpool vs Chelsea; Manchester City vs Bayern Munich.

And the winner?

Bayern Munich.

I can't look beyond Bayern Munich again. Manchester City ought to have enough against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals but the reigning champions might be a step took far for them.

Who will be the tournament's star man?

Robert Lewandowski.

Bayern are so adept at grinding out results on the biggest stage that they will probably take some stopping. And Lewandowski is set to break the 50-goal mark again, scoring more than one every game.

TOM COLLOMOSSE

Who will make the semi-finals?

Manchester City v PSG; Porto v Liverpool.

And the winner?

I tipped PSG for the trophy at the start of the competition and though the quarter-final against Bayern Munich will be a huge test, they have the quality to avenge last season's final defeat and move into the last four.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool should get past a flaky Real Madrid side in the last eight, too, and would see off Porto for a place in the final.

In a PSG-Liverpool final, I would take Mauricio Pochettino to claim his and PSG's first title, with Kylian Mbappe the decisive factor in the game.

Who will be the tournament's star man?

Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe is the most dangerous attacker in Europe at the moment and when he is at his best, there is no defence capable of resisting him.

KIERAN GILL

Who will make the semi-finals?

Bayern Munich v Man City, Real Madrid v Chelsea.

And the winner?

Bayern Munich.

Who will be the tournament's star man?

Robert Lewandowski.

Manchester City's John Stones and Ruben Dias have been ridiculously good together but they'll be seriously tested by the goal machine that is Robert Lewandowski.

I cannot see him going goalless over two legs in the semi-finals against City and I suspect he'll ultimately prove the difference.

I can see Lewandowski downing PSG in the quarters, City in the semis, then Chelsea in the final. Pep Guardiola and his players have their work cut out if they're to get to that final.

JOE BERNSTEIN

Who will make the semi-finals?

Man City v PSG; Liverpool v Porto

With the caveat that all ties are on a knife-edge, Liverpool should be too strong for an ageing Real Madrid whose squad don't match the illustrious club name. City are better all-round than Dortmund who rely so much on Erling Haaland.

I fancy upsets in the other two ties, PSG have the stars to win a knockout against Bayern and after beating Juventus, goal-shy Chelsea won't have any fears for Porto.

And the winner?

PSG.

Any of the quarter-finalists could go all the way - even Porto. While domestic leagues have become monopolies, the Champions League is more like the NFL, the talent is spread. But in the race to succeed Messi and Ronaldo, this is a good time for Kylian Mbappe, aided by Neymar, to land PSG their first Champions League.

Who will be the tournament's star man?

Kylian Mbappe.

Already a World Cup winner, he is running into the sort of unplayable form that even the mighty Bayern won't fancy opposing.

Key men in the other quarters; Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, the best the Premier League have to offer, and Pepe of Porto - still an incredible leader and defender.