Who are the favourites to win the Champions League?
by Steve Ashfield |
Who are the favourites to win the Champions League?
The group stages of the 2021/22 Champions League have been completed. We had some surprises with clubs such as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atlalanta and Sevilla all eliminated and transferred to the Europa League. It took two draws to determine who would meet each other in the Champions League last 16. We have some excellent games lined up from February 8, let's look at who the favourites are to win the Champions League this season.
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City Out to Go One Better
Manchester City look set to win another Premier League title this season. However, it's the Champions League that their owners dream of winning. Last season saw them reach the final for the first time in their history. Alas, they lost to Chelsea and the wait for a first Champions League win continues.
They finished ahead of PSG to win Group A but only by a point. If they are to win the Champions League, City need to improve their away form. They lost at both PSG and Leipzig in their group, while winning all three at home with 12 goals scored. The last 16 sees them drawn against Sporting Lisbon from Portugal. They finished second in their group, just edging out Borussia Dortmund. 12 goals were conceded in six games. They lost 5-1 at home to Ajax and were beaten in two of their three away matches. City should be able to progress and get one step nearer to winning the Champions League.
Bayern Munich Always a Threat
When you have Robert Lewandowski in your team, there's always going to be a chance of success. The Polish striker scored nine goals in the group stages. That's a total only bettered by Sebastien Haller of Ajax with ten goals. Bayern were the conclusive winners of Group E, winning all six of their matches. That saw them end ten points clear of Benfica, with Barcelona in third and Dynamo Kiev bottom.
Bayern scored at least twice in all six of their group games, with 22 in all and 13 at home. It's not all about attack though, the Bundesliga champions kept four clean sheets. Now they take on Red Bull Salzburg in the last 16. The first leg is in Austria and Red Bull won all three of their group matches. They only earned a point from three league games and are unlikely to stop Bayern. Whoever draws the Germans in the rounds that follow face a very stiff task.
Can Liverpool Win Again?
Liverpool also won all six of their group games. Not just that, they scored at least twice in each of those matches. After some disappointing performances last season, Liverpool have been in much better form this term. They are already in the EFL Cup final, still in the FA Cup and second in the Premier League.
They take on Inter Milan in the last 16, with the first leg being in Italy. It's not the easiest of draws but Inter haven't fared too well in recent Champions Leagues. They finished second behind Real Madrid in the group stage and are in a tight battle to retain their Serie A title. Liverpool are in top form though and have Salah and Mane back from the AFCON and Dioga Jota,scoring plenty of goals. They continue to be on any shortlist to win the Champions League.
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Real Madrid set to battle with PSG
Not since 2018 have Real Madrid won the Champions League. They are having an excellent 2021/22 season and will be all out to complete a La Liga and Champions League double. They won their group, finishing ahead of Inter Milan by a point. Five of their six games were won (all three of the away fixtures) but were surprisingly beaten at home by Sheriff Tiraspol. They can't afford any more slip-ups like that if they want to win the Champions League.
Real face an almighty battle to make the quarter finals. They have been drawn to play PSG, with the first leg being in Paris. Real will be out to get at least a draw in the first leg. PSG aren't in the best of form on their travels in the Champions League with no wins in the last four played. The Spanish side have a good chance of ending the hopes of PSG and will be a major threat if doing so.
Chelsea Out to Retain Trophy
Could Chelsea retain the Champions League title? They beat Manchester City in the 2020/21 final and have a great chance again this year. The Londoners are already in the final of the EFL Cup and going well in the FA Cup. It's unlikely they will win the English Premier League this season but a second straight Champions League win cannot be ruled out.
Chelsea didn't have it all their own way in the group stage. They could only finish second behind Juventus (who take on Villarreal and should reach the last eight) but did beat the Italians 4-0 at home. Chelsea won all three of their home games, scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets.
With Romelu Lukaku back in form, they should have too much for Lille. The French champions are 11th in Ligue 1 this season, so look like having to win this year's Champions League to be in it next season. They have done better in Europe this term, winning Group G ahead of Red Bull, Sevilla and Wolfsburg. Lille only scored seven goals in six group games and three home matches saw just one goal scored. Chelsea can progress and will again be in contention.
Conclusion
As you will see from the odds below, this is a very open Champions League. Manchester City will be difficult to beat, they always are. Somehow though, they always find a way not to lift the trophy. Chelsea won last year and have to be considered one of the favourites to do so again. We haven't mentioned Atletico Madrid and Manchester United who meet in the last 16. Neither seem to be in the form to become European champions. Ajax should beat Benfica to make the quarter finals but don't look strong enough to become champions.
Bayern Munich have Lewandowski in form and they are the team to beat. Real Madrid have to get past PSG but will also be strong contenders. If any club knows how to win the top European club tournament, it's them but may find Bayern tough to beat if facing them. Liverpool could be the other finalists this year. They are scoring lots of goals and do not have the injury problems they had last year.
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Latest Odds to win the Champions League
- Manchester City - 11/4
- Bayern Munich - 7/2
- Liverpool - 5/1
- Chelsea - 15/2
- PSG - 8/1
- Ajax - 14/1
- Real Madrid - 18/1
- Manchester United - 18/1
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