The UEFA Champions League league phase has come to an end and some of the biggest clubs in the competition had tough starts. Having seen the league phase action, we have ranked our top five teams to watch.
Liverpool and Barcelona have put themselves in strong positions in the UEFA Champions League by virtue of their impressive form in the league phase. Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are very much in the hunt too. As a result of their favourable draw, Arsenal are another team to watch for those interested in soccer betting.
Liverpool
Top of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League league phase, Liverpool (5.43) are certainly among the teams to watch this season. The Reds have made three UEFA Champions League finals since 2018. In 2019, they won their sixth title. Success in Europe is part of the Reds’ DNA.
Barcelona
Barcelona (6.97) is building an exciting team under Hansi Flick and finishing second in the league phase has tied the Blaugrana up nicely for the next round.
Liverpool and Barcelona will each face the winner of a playoff round clash between either Monaco or Brest and either Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica. One of the two top clubs in the league phase will take on one winner, while another club will take on the other.
Regardless of who they face, Liverpool and Barça will fancy their chances of progression from the round of 16 and could go all the way.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid (6.95) has not been at their brilliant best in the UEFA Champions League this season. However, they have shown glimpses of what they can do and it is worth remembering that more than any other club, they are serial winners. Real Madrid has a record 15 European Cups and their head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has a record five throughout his career.
Bayern Munich
Bayern (9.98), like Liverpool, have been European champions six times. Top of the Bundesliga and brimming with talent including Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala, they have the ingredients to go all the way. Bayern and Real Madrid will each face one of Celtic and Manchester City in the knockout phase playoffs.
Arsenal
Having finished third in the league phase, Arsenal (6.98) have a bye into the round of 16. Furthermore, the Gunners have an extremely favourable draw on paper. They and Inter will each play a winner in clashes between Feyenoord/Juventus and AC Milan/PSV. The Gunners have a strong team on paper and if they fall too far behind Liverpool in the Premier League, they are likely to focus all their efforts on delivering European silverware.
