Who are the Favourites to win the Champions League?

This season’s Champions League Group Stage is now complete, and as Europe’s elite prepare to separate ahead of the World Cup, the Round of 16 awaits in February. Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are some of the giants of European football that will miss out, but there are still plenty of clubs fancying their chances of lifting the biggest trophy in club football.

Unsurprisingly, Manchester City are the current bookies' favourites, with Sky Bet valuing them at 7/4 to be victorious in May. Pep Guardiola’s side have been so far unsuccessful in Europe, coming closest to winning the competition in 2021, only to be beaten by Premier League rivals Chelsea.

While the Citizens have operated without an out-and-out centre forward in previous campaigns, the reigning champions of England now possess the most dangerous weapon on the continent; Erling Haaland. The Norwegian boasts a monstrous 22 goals in just 16 appearances this season, including five in four in the Champions League, a stat which will have the Etihad faithful believing that this may be the year they finally get their hands on the prize they so desperately desire.

Manchester City to win the Champions League: 7/4

When it comes to the Champions League, no other club comes close to Real Madrid’s pedigree. The Spanish giants have reigned over Europe a record 14 times, seven more than their nearest competition, and their historic triumph last season showed why you should never write off Los Blancos.

A Karim Benzema-inspired run last time out saw Real defeat PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City on their way to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in Paris, in what was one of the most impressive Champions League campaigns of all time. This season has seen a couple of stumbles on their route to topping Group F, including a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig, but the knockout rounds is where they come to life, and with a wealth of match-winning experience in their ranks, 10/1 odds may be worth backing.

Real Madrid to win the Champions League: 10/1

Like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain have also invested heavily over the years, hoping to build a team capable of winning the Champions League. A mouth-watering front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi is one of the most star-studded attacking line-ups of all time, but PSG fell short at the first hurdle in last season’s knockout phase.

Under new management of Christophe Galtier, Messi and Neymar are back amongst the goals, with 26 between them so far this season, added to Mbappe’s 18. Deploying a new, more balanced system with three centre-backs, Galtier will be hoping his tactical switch can lead the dominant French side to European glory for the first time in their history.

PSG to win the Champions League: 7/1

Each season, one side defies expectations and makes it through to the latter stages of the competition. Ajax wowed fans in 2019 with their slick passing style, Unai Emery’s Villareal made it to the semi-finals last campaign, but this year, it’s Napoli who have impressed in the early stages.

Luciano Spalletti’s men have started the season on fire, both domestically and in Europe, sitting five points clear at the top of Serie A, as well as topping Group A. Their emphatic 4-1 win over Liverpool on matchday one sent shockwaves throughout the continent, with 21-year-old Georgian starlet Khvicha Kvaratskhelia announcing himself on the biggest stage. The side from Naples are one of the wild cards in the Champions League this season, and as one of the most in-form teams in Europe, they will be full of confidence no matter the opposition.

Napoli to win the Champions League: 14/1