Club Brugge v Dnipro: reporters' view

Strengths
Chris Burke: Enjoying a superb campaign, Club Brugge KV are a well-balanced side with genuine attacking edge, having finished as comfortable top scorers during the regular Belgian First League season. They also boast flexibility, being able to move forward via short passes or by lofting balls towards the likes of Tom De Sutter and Obbi Oularé, while their settled defence has frustrated many a rival this term.

Igor Linnyk: FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are delivering their best season in 25 years, Myron Markevych – at the helm since last summer – dealing with injuries and departures with some panache. Third in the Ukrainian Premier-Liha and through to the Ukrainian Cup semi-finals, Dnipro are contesting their first UEFA quarter-final since 1989/90. There is a feeling around the club that this might be their time.

Timmy Simons (right)©AFP/Getty Images

Weaknesses
Chris Burke: Though they are to be commended for spreading the goals around, Club Brugge lack a prolific forward who can be relied upon to pounce on the merest chance against top-level opposition. They also tend to leave space out wide when their full-backs attack, while 38-year-old holding midfielder Timmy Simons has to rely on his experience rather than his speed across the pitch.

Igor Linnyk: Given they have commited more fouls (179) and received more yellow cards (38) than any other quarter-finalist, discipline is clearly not Dnipro's strong point; suspensions at this stage of the tournament would be a big blow to a team already without the likes of Ukrainian international Roman Zozulya through injury. Playing 'home' games in Kyiv rather than Dnipropetrovsk may also be a minor disadvantage.

Form
Chris Burke: The only unbeaten side left in the running, Michel Preud'homme's men are in superb shape, having won their last five UEFA Europa League fixtures while going from strength to strength on the domestic front. Since the round of 16, the Blauw-Zwart have lifted the Belgian Cup – their first silverware since 2007 – and launched their league play-off campaign with a victory, beating R. Standard de Liège 2-1 to maintain top spot. 

Igor Linnyk: Steady if not spectacular, Dnipro have won just four of their ten UEFA Europa League matches from the group phase onwards. They have scored in every knockout game though – a good sign with an away leg coming up – and goalkeeper Denys Boyko is at his peak while creator-in-chief Yevhen Konoplyanka has begun to spark. The No10 set up the clincher at home to AFC Ajax before registering a crucial away goal the next week.

European pedigree
Chris Burke: Club Brugge will be appearing in the quarter-finals for the third time, though they have not come this far in a continental competition since the 1991/92 European Cup Winners' Cup. They will seek to revive the spirit of their 1970s heyday, when Ernst Happel led them to the finals the European Champion Clubs' Cup and UEFA Cup.

Igor Linnyk: Though they are veterans of two previous UEFA quarter-finals, this is nonetheless the first time Dnipro have won two ties in the spring phase of a European competition. Still to sample a semi-final, however, Dnipro have evolved under Markevych who made it to this round but no further with a well-liked FC Metalist Kharkiv outfit in 2011/12.

One to watch/game changer
Chris Burke: Lior Refaelov has weighed in with some vital goals for Club Brugge of late, following up his winning volley against RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Cup final with a pair of penalties to down Standard in the league play-offs. His side's six-goal leading marksman in this tournament – in addition to four assists – the versatile Israeli international can operate as playmaker or out wide on either flank.

Yevhen Konoplyanka©AFP/Getty Images

Igor Linnyk: Club Brugge would be wise to be wary of Konoplyanka, who has the unusual honour of being the most fouled player in the competition, though he is not Dnipro's sole outlet – midfielder Ruslan Rotan is always dangerous from set pieces. Keeper Boyko, meanwhile, has kept 16 clean sheets in 32 matches this season.

Prediction
Chris Burke: There is a buzz about Club Brugge and the chances are that they will continue riding that wave of self-belief through to the semis – unless the strain of pursuing a historic treble takes its toll. They will not mind tackling the second leg in Ukraine either, having already prevailed away to the likes of Beşiktaş JK and FC København during this run.

Igor Linnyk: In Ukraine, Dnipro are regarded as favourites in this tie although Markevych noted that Club Brugge are "very difficult opponents who can play attacking football". Dnipro approach the 16 April opener with no suspensions and plenty of experienced players. An away goal will be key; and Dnipro will certainly go for it.

Possible starting XI
Club Brugge: Ryan; Meunier, Mechele, Duarte, De Bock; Vormer, Simons; Bolingoli-Mbombo, Refaelov, Vázquez; De Sutter.

Dnipro: Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Léo Matos; Kankava, Rotan, Bezus, Luchkevych, Konoplyanka; Kalinić.