Photo source Pixabay
The 2024/2025 season has seen the Champions League return with a whole new format. There are now 36 teams and a Swiss Model league phase in place. Expanding the number of clubs involved is sure to bring a new element to the competition, with pitches being filled with some of the biggest stars in the world.
With the action already underway, there have been twists and turns with unexpected outcomes. Where does that leave us now, and which team is likely to take the title? As you read on, that’s what we’re going to explore, as we see that as well as considering skill and tactics, luck will always play a vital role.
Manchester City: Starting as Favourites
Man City started the tournament as clear favourites. When you look at the talent that Pep Guardiola has at his disposal, this should hardly come as a surprise. The likes of Haaland and Rodri alone should put City in a dominating position. However, the month of November has not been kind to the club.
With 5 straight defeats in a row, City have experienced a nightmare this month. It appeared to be coming to an end as they faced Feyenoord on 26 November and entered the last 15 minutes with a 3-goal lead. To everyone’s shock, the lead was squandered with a 3-3 draw being the final result.
City will need to recover its form if it’s to be a serious contender.
Real Madrid: Defending Champions
Real Madrid can never be discounted when looking at team’s that are likely to win the Champions League. This is a team that already had a world-class squad, but this has been strengthened with the addition of Mbappe. Placing him alongside Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo means that Madrid has a devastating attacking line up that can take on even the best defence.
What Madrid really has going for it is its ability to thrive under pressure. The recent match against Borussia Dortmund is a prime example of this. Here, they turned a 2-0 deficit into a resounding 5-2 win.
While Madrid is a club with the highest pedigree, there’s no getting away from the fact that luck can be just as important. Football, just like drops and wins at casinos, can benefit from luck going your way. The odd refs call, or a bizarre bounce of the ball can change the outcome of any match.
Arsenal: A Serious Contender
Mike Arteta has transformed the fortunes of Arsenal. He has made it one of the most exciting teams in the whole of Europe. With the depth in the squad, tactical flexibility, and the perfect balance of youth and experience, this team is now seen as a serious contender.
Perhaps Arsenal’s biggest strength is its ability to adapt. It has outstanding players, even on the bench, and this means that the team deals with injuries and demanding schedules better than others can.
With a team that was already impressive, the additions of Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus have bolstered the available talent.
PSG: A Rejuvenated Team
Paris Saint-Germain has completely transformed. It has done away with the superstar approach by parting company with the likes of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe. The focus now is on a more balanced team approach while fostering new talent such as Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Fabian Ruiz.
While this new set up is having a positive impact, there are still challenges to be overcome. A major concern is finding a replacement for Manuel Urgate in midfield. While Joao Neves shows promise, he is far from perfecting the role right now.
Bayern Munich: A Flawed Team?
Bayern Munich has always been seen as an exceptional team across Europe. It has always managed to blend new talent with experience, but right now the up front just isn’t working. Harry Kane joined as the most expensive signing in the history of the Bundesliga but, after a promising start, things just haven’t seemed to gel.
If the team continues to fail when it comes to converting chances, the chances of Champions League success will melt away.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that the 2024/2025 Champions League is set to be one of the most competitive ever seen. The winner will be the team that can capitalise on the combination of talent, skill, and luck. While Man City started as clear favourites, it currently seems to be lacking in all 3 of these areas.
In our view, it’s Real Madrid that is likely to shine yet again. By balancing talent, experience, and resilience, this is a team that’s more than capable of taking the title. However, this is a tournament that is often unpredictable and it may only take a single chance event to completely change the outcome.
View more free tips for 12-05-2026
Asteras Tripolis
Panserraikos
Kifisia
Atromitos
Panetolikos
AEL Larissa
Modena
Juve Stabia
Celta Vigo
Levante
Al Nassr
Al Hilal
Betis
Elche
Southampton
Middlesbrough
Catanzaro
Avellino
Osasuna
Atl. Madrid
Leave a Reply