Following on from the preview of the group stage, attention switches to the business end of the tournament and trying to pick the eventual winner. Barcelona won their third Champions League in six seasons, back in May, and are favourites to retain it this season. If they could manage that it would make the Catalans the first club to win consecutive Champions League titles since the competition changed from the European Cup. There are plenty of contenders who will make that very difficult, however, in what promises to be another fascinating renewal of European football’s premier club competition.
In the last 10 years there have been seven different winners which is indicative of how competitive the Champions League is. Spanish clubs have dominated of late, with Barcelona (four) and Real Madrid (one) responsible for five of those successes. Manchester United and Chelsea have won one apiece, as have Inter and AC Milan, whilst Bayern Munich were the first German winners since 2001. It’s hardly earth-shattering, but I think it’s safe to assume that the winner will come from one of those countries once again.
Spanish clubs
Barcelona are the obvious one’s to start with. Their performances in the second half of last season – both domestically and in Europe – were sensational. The first leg win over Bayern in the semi-final was arguably as good as anything the club achieved under Pep Guardiola during his tenure. They followed that up, of course, with a deserved 3-1 victory against Juventus in the final. Although unavailable until the new year, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will only strengthen their squad, and with a forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, it is hard to imagine they will not go deep into the competition, once more.
Real Madrid’s participation in their defence of the Champions League was ended by Juventus, last season. Rafael Benitez has been charged with the task of regaining that title, as well as La Liga. Benitez has of course won this competition when manager of Liverpool in 2005 but it will be a difficult challenge in overcoming what looks a very strong Barcelona side. To do it, Gareth Bale has to recapture the form of his first season whilst Cristiano Ronaldo will need to be at his formidable best. Their cause was not helped with the failure to sign David de Gea from Manchester United, who would have been a significant addition to what has been a suspect rearguard.
Atletico Madrid and Valencia make up the four qualifiers via the league, whilst Sevilla’s triumph in the Europa League means there will be five Spanish participants, this season. Atletico appear to be the best equipped of this trio to progress the furthest and will be hoping they can repeat their feat of reaching the final in 2014. With what looks a much stronger quota of strikers, combined with an excellent defence, there is plenty of room to be optimistic if you’re an Atletico supporter.
English Clubs
Chelsea would have been disappointed not to have gone further than the last 16, last season, but remain the shortest priced of the four English clubs. Jose Mourinho has won the competition twice but never with Chelsea who were under the stewardship of Roberto Di Matteo in 2012. I am not convinced they have the depth of squad to go all the way but you can never write off a team managed by Mourinho.
Manchester City look a different proposition this season and could possibly do what many have expected of them in recent seasons. The signings of Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling appear to be very shrewd and will ensure they are dynamic in attack. If Nicolas Otamendi can shore things up at the back then City can be the best of the English contingent this time around.
Arsenal and Manchester United have a long-standing history with the Champions League but I think the best both clubs can hope for is the quarter-final stage which may even proved to be beyond their reaches. Neither have convinced domestically and look short of the quality required to trouble the top clubs in this competition.
Italian Clubs
Although both Milan clubs have won the Champions League in recent seasons, neither will compete in this year’s running. Serie A will be represented by Juventus and Roma which is somewhat of a surprise considering the tradition Italian clubs have with this competition. This season looks to be somewhat of a transition for Juventus who have lost Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo from their star-studded midfield, whilst Carlos Tevez has also left. It was always going to be difficult to replicate their efforts from last season but even more so without three of their best performers. Roma also look to have their work cut out in term of progressing to the latter stages but having not gotten out the group last season, reaching the last 16 would probably be seen as a success.
German clubs
This year’s German contingent has a different complexion without the presence of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke who have been regular fixtures in the Champions League in recent seasons. Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach, along with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich will represent the Bundesliga. It goes without saying that the latter of those four are in with the best opportunity of going all the way and Guardiola and all Bayern fans will be hoping it is third time lucky under the Spaniard. Two semi-final appearances in the last couple of seasons is more than decent but when you factor in they won it in 2013 and were finalists in 2012, it could be seen as failure by some. Could this be their year?!
I tipped Wolfsburg to progress from their group and expect them to be the most competitive of the other three German clubs. Their approach to the game will be a breath of fresh air in this season’s Champions League.
Champions League Outright Betting Tips
With 32 clubs participating, and so many different scenarios possible in terms of qualification, it is important to spread your interest. Of the teams at the top of the market I am most interested in siding with Bayern Munich. Their squad was ridiculously impressive before signing the likes of Vidal and Douglas Costa, but having suffered so many injuries last season, having Thiago and Arjen Robben available will also be hugely beneficial. Real Madrid and Barcelona above accounted for them the last two seasons but I don’t believe there is much between them.
At bigger prices, the two I have picked out are Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. City look a different animal this season. Their attacking quartet is as good as any in the competition, arguably with the exception of Barcelona, and I think they come into this year’s Champions League in the best possible shape. Atletico Madrid are another who look stronger than last season with the signing of Jackson Martinez already looking like a good fit. Diego Simeone is fast becoming one of the shrewdest managers in European football and is to be underestimated at an opponents peril.
Selections
Bayern Munich 9/2 @ Ladbrokes
Man City 14/1 @ Boylesports
Atletico Madrid 20/1 @ William Hill
