Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the Champions League and Europa League semi-final second legs as Manchester City and Liverpool look to book final berths.

Both Premier League sides are involved in finely-poised ties, with City travelling to Real Madrid following a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium, and Liverpool with a 1-0 deficit to overcome when Villarreal visit Anfield.

Here’s what Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie is backing for the four ties in his Sky Bet tips…

Bayern Munich v Atletico Madrid (first-leg score: 0-1)

Saul Niguez celebrates scoring Atletico’s first-leg winner

Everybody raves about Atletico’s defensive strategy and I understand why Diego Simeone deserves a lot of praise, I get all of that, but I do not enjoy watching their football.

Every system has its weaknesses and what Atletico do is suffocate teams’ strengths, with every player working hard and bought into their system. They can do exactly the same again in the second leg.

I hope Bayern come through here and, with Thomas Muller back in their side I actually think he’ll score and they will. I think Pep Guardiola will have his side set up to be patient and gradually grind their visitors down. If they can get the first goal then they’ll go through.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Muller to score first – Bayern to reach Champions League final

Real Madrid v Man City (first-leg score: 0-0)

Kompany and Bale battle for the ball in the goalless first leg

It wasn’t the worst result for City but I thought Madrid were there for the taking in the first leg and City hardly laid a glove on them. Vincent Kompany was probably their man of the match and that says a lot.

I know Cristiano Ronaldo has been training but he won’t be fully fit, which is a bonus because you can see Gareth Bale has become their top man recently and I think Ronaldo’s presence back in the team reduces his influence.

Kevin De Bruyne sitting in behind Sergio Aguero does suit the counter-attack and they simply have to have a go at them and score, otherwise it will just be a matter of time before Real get on the scoresheet.

Sadly, I think they’ve missed their opportunity and Manuel Pellegrini won’t have the glorious ending he’s dreaming of, with Bale maintaining his fine form and breaking City hearts.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 Bale to score first – Real Madrid to reach Champions league final

Liverpool v Villarreal (first-leg score: 0-1)

Adrian Lopez scored the only goal of the game for Villarreal

Liverpool have lost their way over the last few games and I thought it was another missed opportunity with Jurgen Klopp not playing a striker in Villarreal.

The situation with Daniel Sturridge is an odd one, not picking him in the big game then throwing him in with the kids on Sunday. It’s like he’s purposely trying to annoy him.

Villarreal are clever and tricky and they’ll be looking to pick Liverpool off on the counter-attack with Cedric Bakambu’s pace, especially with Kolo Toure in there in Mamadou Sakho’s absence.

I think if Klopp plays Sturridge then I think they’ll go through but I think he might try to be a bit too clever again and leave him to come off the bench.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Philippe Coutinho to score first – Villarreal to reach Europa League final

Sevilla v Shakhtar Donetsk (first-leg score: 2-2)

Kevin Gameiro levelled the scoreline from the spot in Donetsk

Sevilla just know how to do this don’t they and I’m expecting them to make it an all-Spanish final.

They’re a strong and athletic side and Seville is a hostile place to go. They can be patient and Shakhtar will have to have a go, which leaves them vulnerable to the pace of Kevin Gameiro hitting them on the break.

I can see it being quite a free-scoring affair as Shakhtar open up as the game goes on but I don’t think Sevilla will slip up in the pursuit of a third successive Europa League title.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Gameiro to score first – Sevilla to reach Europa League final