“No Other Outcome” – Who Will Win the Champions League?

The Champions League is back, bigger than ever, with 36 clubs now competing in the revamped tournament—four more than previous editions. Real Madrid is aiming to defend their crown, while British clubs Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Celtic join the race for European glory, with the action kicking off on Tuesday night.

BBC Sport experts have weighed in with their predictions on who will lift the trophy in Munich next year, who could be the surprise package, and which players are the ones to watch.

Fans can catch all the highlights of the Champions League on BBC platforms this season. On Wednesday matchdays, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website will feature match-by-match highlights starting from 22:00. A special Champions League edition of Match of the Day will air on BBC One at 22:40, and there will be another highlights show on BBC Two on Thursdays at 23:05.

Who Will Win the Champions League?

Phil McNulty, Chief Football Writer: With the addition of Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid looks primed for a 16th Champions League title. Their habit of winning even when not at their best, along with coach Carlo Ancelotti’s experience, makes them tough to beat. Manchester City will be their closest challenger, but Real’s history of success in this competition gives them the edge.

Julien Laurens, French Football Expert: Real Madrid is once again the team to beat. Their experience, winning mentality, and now Mbappe’s addition, make them the favorites. They’ve got the heritage, the know-how, and the world’s best player.

Guillem Balague, Spanish Football Expert: You’d expect Real Madrid and Manchester City in the semifinals, but predicting the winner at that stage is difficult due to unpredictable factors like injuries or refereeing decisions. City, however, has the balance and maturity to go all the way this season.

Constantin Eckner, German Football Expert: Real Madrid remains the team to beat, especially with Mbappe joining their ranks. They might not impress early in the season, but they excel in knockout stages. Manchester City and Bayern Munich also have the quality to challenge for the title.

Mina Rzouki, Italian Football Expert: While Real Madrid is always a strong contender, I believe this year belongs to Manchester City. Erling Haaland is rested and ready, and City has the creativity and experience to go all the way. They have learned to win in various ways, and with their strong squad, they are the team to beat.

Who Will Be the Surprise Package?

Phil McNulty: Liverpool. Anfield has a special relationship with the Champions League, and if Liverpool reaches the knockout stages, they will be a tough opponent for any team. Despite a year away, they still have plenty of quality to make a deep run.

Julien Laurens: Bayer Leverkusen. The new format of the competition allows smaller teams to make a bigger impact, and I believe Leverkusen could surprise everyone. After an unbeaten domestic season, they’re ready to show their talents on the European stage.

Guillem Balague: Inter Milan. Since breaking Juventus’s dominance in 2021, they’ve been consistent in European competitions, reaching finals in both the Europa League and Champions League. With a strong squad, including Lautaro Martinez, they’re a team to watch.

Constantin Eckner: Atletico Madrid could be a dark horse this year. They’ve made some interesting transfers and have a strong squad, though coach Diego Simeone will need to improve their ability to dominate possession and defend leads.

Mina Rzouki: Inter Milan. Their fluid football and strong mentality secured them the Serie A title last season, and they have the squad and tactics to cause problems in Europe. With Simone Inzaghi’s cup competition experience, they could go far.

Which Player Are You Most Excited to Watch?

Phil McNulty: Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. He’s already proven his talent with Spain at Euro 2024 and seems destined to shine on the Champions League stage.

Julien Laurens: Lamine Yamal is the most exciting player in Europe right now. His pace, technical ability, and maturity at such a young age make him a joy to watch, and he’ll be a key figure in this Champions League season.

Guillem Balague: Lamine Yamal. Barcelona has started the season strong under Hansi Flick, and Yamal’s contributions have been essential. His talent takes Barcelona to another level.

Constantin Eckner: Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. He’s been underrated because Portugal’s league doesn’t get much international attention, but I’m looking forward to seeing him perform in the Champions League.

Mina Rzouki: Fabian Ruiz at PSG. After impressive performances for Spain at Euro 2024, there’s hope he can bring that same quality to PSG’s midfield. If given more consistency, he could be key in helping PSG navigate tricky European fixtures.