Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and more! Who will win the Champions League this season?

As the UEFA Champions League heads into the final stretch of games, here's a look at who is most likely to win the competition.

Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and more! Who will win the Champions League this season?

Raphinha has been one of the best players for Barca this season while Salah has been indispensable for Liverpool (Via X/@LFC & FCBarcelona)

As the Champions League heads into the last two league stage matches for the first time in its extended format, here’s a look at the biggest winners and most disappointing upsets yet.

Liverpool continues its dominant run at the top of the table, with Barcelona, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen close behind. There have been several upsets this term, with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid headlining the same.

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The UCL resumes in late January, after the winter break. With just two games left to go for each side, the battle for both a top eight and playoffs spot will be tight.

As the Champions League starts to heat up, here’s a look at who has the biggest claim to the coveted trophy and which big side stands the biggest risk of being eliminated.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool continues to march on

Ever since Arne Slot took charge of Liverpool, the Reds have been a different side altogether. The club is currently at the top of both the Premier League as well as the Champions League.

Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah
Liverpool currently has a three-point lead in the UCL (Via X/@LFC)

With a perfect record in Europe, it is now certain that the club will finish in the top 8. The club’s most recent game against Girona was a narrow 1-0 win. That being said, Liverpool has already claimed impressive victories over Bayer Leverkusen (4-0) and reigning champions Real Madrid (2-0).

The club’s next game in Europe is against Ligue 1 side Lille, who is in 8th spot. Even the club’s highly impressive form of 19 wins in the last 22 games in all competitions is unsustainable; it sets the club up as the undeniable favorite to win it all.

Slot also has the luxury of resting some of his main players ahead of the important fixtures in December. Liverpool’s final game in the UCL group stage is against PSV Eindhoven.

Hansi Flick’s youngsters have something to prove

From Lamine Yamal to Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, Hansi Flick has worked wonders with Barcelona‘s squad. Yamal is currently the ‘best’ youngster in Europe, with Lewandowski and Raphinha leading the charts in terms of goals in the Champions League.

Raphinha vs Dortmund
Barcelona claimed a 3-2 win over last season’s UCL finalists Dortmund (Via X/@FCBarcelona)

The Polish striker has seven goals this season (most), with Raphinha on 6. The club has won five of the six group stage games, with the only defeat coming against Monaco on matchday 1.

The club sent a strong message to the rest of the teams after thrashing Bayern Munich 4-1 at home. In the League, Barcelona still remains on top, with a two-point lead over rivals Real Madrid.

With 15 points from 6 games, Barca can overtake Liverpool in the rare chance that the Reds slip up. After consecutive eliminations and embarrassing moments in the Champions League, fans are hoping that Flick can turn things around in the UCL this season.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal ‘needs’ a big break

Arsenal under Mikel Arteta has been impressive this season. Even though the Gunners are on the verge of falling out of the Premier League title race, things are different in Europe.

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba
Arsenal hasn’t lost a game in its last four outings (Via X/@Arsenal)

With 13 points from a possible 18, Arsenal is only behind Liverpool and Barcelona. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have only conceded a total of two goals in the competition, with the most recent game being a comprehensive 3-0 win over AS Monaco.

Bukayo Saka is in splendid form and has already bagged 4 goals and 2 assists in the UCL. Arsenal’s only defeat so far has been a narrow 1-0 loss to Inter Milan. The club can finish in the top 8 with a win over Dinamo Zagreb in late January but needs to fix up its striker problem as soon as possible. The return of captain and chief creator Martin Odegaard only adds to the club’s claim of making a charge for the title.

Luis Enrique’s struggles continue at Paris Saint-Germain

Ever since Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain has only been a shadow of its former self in the Champions League. With just two wins, three losses, and a draw from the first six games, PSG only has seven points on the table.

PSG
PSG only has seven points in the UCL this season (Via X/@brfootball)

Sat in 25th position, the club is one spot below the playoffs. Luis Enrique has struggled to make things work with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola up front. The Ligue 1 leader plays its next game against Manchester City, with both sides struggling to produce results.

With a monumental amount of work to do, if the club is to avoid an early and embarrassing exit, winning the final game against Stuttgart will be crucial for survival. With recent seasons equating the club to disappointment at the highest level, failing to qualify for the knockouts in the new format will be too much, even for PSG.

When will Manchester City’s troubles end?

Manchester City is going through one of the worst stretches of form in the club’s history. With just one win from the last 10 games in all competitions, the club is in desperate need of a win.

Erling Haaland vs Juventus
Manchester City is in 22nd position heading into matchday 6 in the UCL (Via GOAL)

City’s most recent game in the UCL ended in a 2-0 defeat to Juventus, which pushed the club down to 22nd spot. Even though qualifying for the playoffs doesn’t seem too far-fetched, losses to PSG and Club Brugge may very well see its nightmares come true.

City’s troubles began with star man Rodri‘s ACL injury, following which the club saw several important players get sidelined with injuries. That being said, it is surprising to see how one of the most expensive squads with incredible depth has failed to shake off a losing streak that has been going on for over a month. City’s form in the Premier League isn’t impressive either, with the most recent game ending in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.