UEFA Champions League 2025/26: Our Staff's Predictions

UEFA Champions League 2025/26: Our Staff's Predictions

The Champions League is back!

Witnessing Paris Saint-Germain veritably tear poor old Inter limb-from-limb in front of a shell-shocked Allianz Arena to curtail the 24/25 season (no, we aren't counting the "Club World Cup" as an in-season event) was a final befitting an extraordinarily entertaining Champions League over the course of the campaign.

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS BACK ⚡

Let the battles commence 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rgPb8cM5F9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 16, 2025

We witnessed Declan Rice suddenly emanate David Beckham himself to shun Real Madrid's merry men of superstars at The Emirates, only to bow out of the competition miserably against eventual victors PSG in the following leg. We enjoyed one of the most thrilling European clashes of recent years (potentially all-time) as Inter battled through a rollercoaster clash with Barcelona to reach the final, only to be surgically taken apart by Luis Enrique's side in Bavaria, providing one of the most emotional scenes seen in the sport for years as both Enrique and PSG fans paid tribute to Xana, Enrique's late daughter.

The 24/25 campaign may have been one for the history books, but the calendar is once again reset and a fresh new Champions League term is set to race onto our screens once again. As David Mitchell once said, it will never be finally decided who has won the football!

However, we can certainly do our best to guess, so that is exactly what all of us at Football Park have decided to do. Every single one of our passionate football fans creating content with us each and every day have laid out their way-too-early predictions for the upcoming Champions League campaign. Will any of us be correct? Almost certainly not! Are we still going to write down our opinions with full-on conviction? Absolutely!

Champions League games being on a Thursday should be illegal.

— Chompy (@lukestanley03) September 16, 2025

Read below for each staff members 25/26 UEFA Champions League predictions, including winners, surprise packages, breakthrough players and total disappointments!

Louis Wheeldon - Lead Writer and Betting Strategist - Nottingham Forest fan

As a completely unbiased and very sensible supporter of a club aiming to make it into this competition (we've won it twice, don't you know? We rarely mention it), it only feels right that a Nottingham Forest fan steps in to provide his completely and utterly un-solicited opinion on the forthcoming Champions League this year. Last years instalment of Europe's premier contest was one for the ages, and although this year's effort would have been a lot better with a certain East Midlands outfit taking part, it still remains all the more enticing to keep track of. So, without further ado, here are my predictions for this coming Champions League campaign.

Winners - Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are a bit like Schrodinger's football club - they are regarded amongst the very elites, until you come to watch them. See also: Lautaro Martinez.

Because the glorious days of Robben, Ribery, Lewandowski et al are behind them, many seem to shoo away the notion of Bayern being one of the true elites of the game. However, this is miles away from being the case.

I like a lot of the components that Bayern have in their locker and, annoyingly, Vincent Kompany has turned out to actually be quite a good hire from the Bavarian club. Mix that in with an answer to their lack of quality at left-wing through the medium of one Luis Diaz, coupled with a Harry Kane now free of any trophy curse, and Bayern may be back up there in real contention to lift old Big Ears come the end of the season.

The comedically large beers have been filled, a date in Budapest awaits, and Serge Gnabry is slowly defrosting ready for his bi-annual haunting of former club Arsenal. It might be a left-field shout for the sake of being different, but when has anyone actually got one of these predictions correct?

Runners-up - Barcelona

Though they owe the wider footballing world billions, I imagine, Barcelona are back to being considered one of Europe's true best after a few years of being a bit of a "banter club" (though that era still brought several trophies. My clubs banter era involved a player failing an eye test in his medical and our owner stealing our FA Cup. Anyway...), Barca appear to be back.

Only a thrilling tug-of-war battle with Inter denied them of a spot in last year's final (which went just brilliantly for the Italians), and a squad boasting the likes of teenage superstar Lamine Yamal and established stars such as Pedri and a suddenly-brilliant Raphinha should see them back where they belong this year. I do still see them falling short at the final hurdle, though. Because thems the breaks.

Surprise Package - Pafos

Yeah, I'm definitely just making shouts for the sake of being different. Ah well.

The Cypriot club have made outstanding waves in recent years, with this instalment of the Champions League being their first-ever admission amongst Europe's elite in their 11-year history. I'm not exactly saying that they will win the lot, but surprising scalps over the likes of Dynamo Kyiv and Maccabi Tel-Aviv have set them up nicely for the proper fixtures. I anticipate them narrowly and shockingly beating someone like Monaco, who they have a League Phase tie with, and everyone hailing Mislav Orsic as the FIFA hero he was always meant to be.

Underperforming Club - Tottenham

Saying that Tottenham are going to under-perform is a bit like saying that an East Midlands Railway train will be late or cancelled, but it appears that we once again find ourselves amidst everyone believing Spurs to be in a new era. However, I'm refusing to allow myself to fall into that rhetoric again.

Sure, they have finally ended their trophy drought thanks to Ange Postecoglou, now manager of the greatest club on earth, but their early form in the Premier League has been seen time and time again under whomever takes the reins in North London. I'm not buying it, and I anticipate a League Phase exit.

Top Scorer - Erling Haaland

The robot can't often be denied of goalscoring metrics, and I predict this European campaign to be another fruitful one for the big Norwegian.

With all the talk and riff-raff over the new onslaught of Premier League number nines, i.e. Ekitike, Woltemade, Sesko etc etc, many have forgotten that the true king of strikers in England's top flight remains to be Haaland, heightened by the fact he's already netted 11 times this season, just six games in for club and country.

The Citizens don't have too many easy clashes lying ahead in their League Phase, with the likes of Real Madrid and Napoli on their horizons, but Haaland's brandishing as a player who doesn't perform in big games will be one he is supremely keen to shake off. This season could be the one to banish it.

Best Player - Morgan Gibbs-White

Oh, sorry. I've just been reliably informed that Gibbs-White isn't a Tottenham player. Who knew!

Actual Best Player - Michael Olise

Bayern will need their star operator to shine through in this campaign to fulfil my expectations (something that I imagine Vincent Kompany is very concerned about), and the former Crystal Palace man could be the one to shine this season.

The Hammersmith-born France international scored five goals and laid on two assists in Bayern's run to the quarter-final stage last season, and his stock continues to rise amongst the most elite players in Europe. I'm expecting big things from him this term.

Underperforming Player - Viktor Gyokeres

Yes, I have actually just claimed that a man who scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in last season's Champions League will be branded as under-performing. The same player who scored six from six starts for an unassuming Sporting side. Yes, boo and hiss and throw tomatoes all you like.

Though he threw his ginormous Swedish frame at a delightful Eberechi Eze cross against Forest this weekend to to start our time under Ange superbly, and netted a penalty and nice enough solo run against Leeds beforehand, I'm not convinced that Gyokeres will shine in Europe for Arsenal.

Sure, the Gunners finally having a player to throw crosses at is a helpful tool to finally have, but the former Coventry City forward thrived on chaos and a lack of organisation in Sporting colours. Mikel Arteta's safety-salad-sideways-slideshow style of playing in mega-important grudge matches for a club desperate to win something meaningful won't help him too much.

Breakout Player - Roony Bardghji

So what if I have my Football Manager cap on here, the young lad is quality.

Though his game-time is obviously going to be threatened by a certain Lamine Yamal up in front of him, Bardghji will be one to keep a keen eye on this season as game-management-enforced changes to Barcelona's starting eleven start to take shape. I expect the young Swede to take his opportunities well, when they inevitably fall his way.

Harry Pascoe - Lead Writer - Chelsea Fan

Winners - Barcelona

Hansi Flick has crafted something dangerous with this Barcelona side. A diverse mix of youthful and experienced players, the German’s set-up compliments each player's skill sets tremendously. With Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez in attack, and with a settled backline including the exciting Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona have everything they could possibly need to win their first Champions League since 2015.

Runners-Up - Bayern Munich

Vincent Kompany is slowly building a super team to rival the Spanish giants over in Munich - Kane has 11 goals and four assists in just 10 games this season, while Olise, Gnabry and Luis Diaz are running rampant down the wings. With their high tempo style and relentless movement, they will be a hard team to stop once they hit their flow.

Surprise Package - Napoli

The unlikely Champions of Italy last season, Napoli come into the tournament on a wave of confidence. Top of the Serie A once again, McTominay and co. are in flow state under Antonio Conte, and with a rejuvenated Rasmus Hojlund and a Kevin De Bruyne with a lot still to offer added to the tool box, the great Italian coach will be optimistic of upsetting more than a couple of Europe's top dogs.

Underperforming Club - Borussia Dortmund

With a tricky round of league phase fixtures that sees them face the likes of Man City, Juventus, Villarreal, Inter Milan and a dangerous Tottenham side, Dortmund must ensure they win their more straightforward fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and FC Copenhagen. Should they fail to pick up maximum points in these games, their automatic, and potentially play-off hopes would effectively be in tatters.

Top Scorer - Harry Kane

As discussed earlier, Kane is in the form of his life; 10 goals and four assists, including a hat-trick against RB Leipzig in the second gameweek, the Englishman is relishing in life after winning his first trophy last season. With a new perspective on his career, and his customarily unyielding finishing instinct, Kane will be a UCL bagsman this season.

Player of the Tournament - Raphinha

After a stellar season last campaign which saw him bag 13 goals and 8 assists across just 14 Champions League games, Raphinha has proven himself at the highest possible level. While it remains to be seen if he can maintain that level, his early form this season suggests he will. An absolute menace on the left wing with his powerful running, rapid pace, and ever-improving finishing, the Brazilian will spearhead Barca’s attempts to banish the memories of last year's semi-final defeat.

Breakout Player of the Tournament - Willian Estavao

Already showing signs of breaking the mould at Chelsea, Willian Estavao is a name to look out for this season, both in the Premier League and in Europe. The 18 year old Brazilian boasts bags of pace, more skill than a FIFA street footballer, and a maturity that comes from playing senior football since 16, a dangerous weapon for a teenager to have. Tipped as the next Neymar, this is Estavao’s first opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of them all.

Underperforming Player - Florian Wirtz

Having a lacklustre start to his Liverpool career, and with no signs that it is going to turn around soon, Wirtz suddenly has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. His £100m+ price tag already emphasises the expectancy on him, but having failed to contribute in his first four games for the club, the German maestro will now be putting undue pressure on himself. We all know he is an excellent player, capable of some outrageous feats of ball control, but the confidence he had at Leverkusen simply seems to have deserted him at Anfield.

Benjamin Lanzon - CEO of Football Park - Chelsea Fan

Winners - Barcelona

I think they're one of the best teams in the World, with one of the best managers in the world. They have a great mix of youth and experience, and they've acclimatised themselves to Hansi Flick's tactics - they were very unlucky to lose to Inter in one of the best semi-finals in history.

Runners-Up - PSG

The most complete team in the world last season, even though Arsenal beat them on xG (for that fanbase, a loss is a win). I don't think they'll manage to win it again, but I see them being in the final.

Surprise Package - Napoli

As a Chelsea fan, you all likely know who I want to say, but I'll go for Napoli. Even though Conte has historically struggled in the UCL, I feel he's building a special team in Naples.

Underperforming Club - Atletico Madrid

They've been poor till now in La Liga, They've bought some good players this summer, but it seems they just haven't gelled well.

Notable mention: Liverpool. Although Jamie Carragher says they'll win it, I don't think they'll go far this season. They've honestly been lucky to win 3/4 games this season - this will catch up with them.

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid have won four games from four this season and Mbappe is playing a large part in that - Alonso is getting the best out of him, and will continue to do so in Europe.

Best Player: Joao Neves

He's the best midfielder in the world. That's it.

Breakout Player (U21) - Estevao

Estevao reminds me of the time one Alex Pato broke into the AC Milan team. They waited a year for him to turn 18, just like Chelsea have with Estevao. I think he'll need a year to adjust in the Premier League (although early signs have been good) but since the UCL generally isn't as physical, he can show his true quality.

Underperforming Player - Florian Wirtz

I had a feeling he would flop at the beginning of the season, so far that's proven to be true. I think this bad run of form will continue into the Champions league.

Joe Ryan - Premier League Writer - Manchester United Fan

Winners - Real Madrid

Titans, champions, the quote-on-quote ‘greatest team of all time'. Love or hate them, you cannot deny their sheer dominance when it comes to the Champions League.

15 wins, a five peat and a three peat. I predict that Real Madrid will come through again this year and make it 16.

Runners-Up - Bayern Munich

The hardest question to answer in this list. Numerous clubs have the quality to not just make the final, but also win it.

Choosing the runners up is a shot in the dark, but I’m going rogue and choosing FC Kairat.

Just joking, I’ll go for Bayern Munich.

Surprise Package - Juventus

For my surprise package, I’m choosing a club that I don’t think many will have in their top eight.

I still don’t think Juventus will finish in the top eight, but I do see them making a run to a possible quarter-final, and if the draw favours them, maybe even a semi-final.

After three games in the Serie A, they sit 2nd after beating Genoa, Parma and securing a stunning 4-3 win against Inter Milan.

Underperforming Club - Napoli

As head of the Scott McTominay fan club, it pains me to say this. But I truly don’t believe Napoli will perform well in this year’s competition.

The reason for this? Antonio Conte. Now I do think that Conte is a great manager, he has had success everywhere he has gone - apart from Spurs, obviously - but the Champions League is his Achilles heel.

In the Italian’s five attempts to win one of footballs most coveted trophies, the furthest he got was the Quarter Final - his debut season.

In three of his attempts, he didn’t even make it past the group stage.

I predict Napoli to finish comfortably between 9-24th, but go out in the knockout round.

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

The 2025/26 season will be Kylian Mbappe’s season. Since the 2022 World Cup final, he has come under scrutiny for still not winning his first Ballon d’Or.

This season, that changes. Not only will he win the Champions League, he will head Real Madrid’s attacking line, scoring 14 goals in the competition, winning the best player and top scorer in the process.

Best Player - Kylian Mbappe

Read above, I guess.

Breakout player - Franco Mastantuono

The player already dubbed the next Lionel Messi—despite playing for Real Madrid— is one of the most exciting talents in the world.

At the age of 18, he is just one month older than Lamine Yamal. I don’t see him starting every match for Madrid, but as the tournament progresses, I see him earning more and more minutes in an already star studded side.

This is my fourth Real Madrid pick of this list. Talk about putting all my eggs in one basket. If, by some miracle of chaos, Madrid don’t even finish in the top 24, I’ll be left with said egg firmly on my face.

Underperforming Player - Raphina/Dembele

Along with Lamine Yamal and a selection of PSG players, Raphina and Ousmane Dembele were the two best players in the Champions League last season.

Putting them in this section does not mean I think they will necessarily have a bad tournament. I think they will both still play relatively well.

What I don’t believe, is that they will hit the same heights as they did last season. I suspect they will be nothing better than ‘good.’

Ben Chalkley - Non-League Specialist - Tottenham/Cheshunt FC Fan

Take these Champions League predictions with an entire handful of salt, as there is a reason why I'm a lot more Non-league focused - a much smaller pool of fans to potentially enrage.

With that being said, here are my predictions for this season's battle for Europe's top prize:

I have convinced myself that it will be a Barcelona and Bayern Munich final in Budapest, with Hansi Flick's Catalan's prevailing with a huge help from my pick for top goalscorer - the phenomenal youngster Lamine Yamal. Italian giants Napoli boasting a side including a few "failed" Manchester United players are my choice to be this season's surprise package and to possibly reach the semi finals, with the new signing of Premier League great Kevin De Bruyne to receive player of the tournament.

Not to subtly giveaway the Champions League team I support, but this year's under-performers will be Arsenal, who I believe will get themselves caught up in the hunt for the Premier League title whilst Vinicius Junior will fail to impress as much on the European stage as he has before with 15-time European Champions, Real Madrid. A young player to look out for this year is Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Bergvall, with his first Premier League goal and an assist coming last weekend against West Ham in a London derby, he will be eager to use that momentum going into his maiden UCL campaign and prove himself to fans worldwide.

⁠Winners - Barcelona

⁠Runners-up - Bayern

⁠Surprise package - Napoli (semis)

⁠Underperforming club - Arsenal

⁠Top scorer - Lamine Yamal

⁠Best Player - Kevin De Bruyne

Breakout player (U21) - Lucas Bergvall

Underperforming player - Vinicius Jr

Matty Connelly - Football Story Writer - Newcastle United Fan

You might look at Napoli as runners up and assume they’d be the ‘surprise package’ too… but there’s no way I was doing this without mentioning my beloved Newcastle United.

In terms of picking a winner, I struggled. No-one really tickled my fancy, and when that’s the case - why would you bet against the defending champs?

I promise the Liverpool shout isn’t because I’m a Newcastle fan… nothing to do with Isak, I swear… I just think that defensive shakiness will get exposed in Europe and they might get found out.

Serhou Guirassy is like if you stuck the Gruffalo on a football pitch- scarily good in front of goal, but in a very endearing way- an absolute beast… no but seriously, he could score about 20 in the league phase alone. Don’t think I really need to explain Pedri, he just is "that guy" and this is a no brainer for me. Mika Godts, a bit rogue? Maybe. But just watch him, you’ll get it eventually.

Winners - PSG

Runners Up - Napoli

Surprise Package - Newcastle

Underperforming Club - Liverpool

Top Scorer - Guirassy

Best Player - Pedri

Breakout Player - Mika Godts

Charlie Stevens - Premier League Writer - Manchester United Fan

I’ve gone for Liverpool to win the Champions League this season, with Barcelona being the other team in the final. I feel that Liverpool’s quality and strength in depth will help them get over the line.

My surprise package for the tournament is Napoli, who I believe after a strong summer of recruitment will go well this year. My underperforming club is Chelsea, which will definitely prove controversial considering they won the 2020/21 edition of the Champions League.

A predictable pick in Mbappe occupies the top scorer spot, with Raphinha taking the best player accolade.

The rising star of Kenan Yildiz takes my breakthrough player vote, as the young Juventus player has already impressed so far in Serie A this season.

I believe Mo Salah will underperform in the Champions League this season despite me backing Liverpool to lift the trophy. A combination of an overall stronger Liverpool team and Salah’s performances not reaching the heights of last year will see the Reds legend deemed as having had an underwhelming European campaign.

Winners - Liverpool

Runners-up - Barcelona

Surprise Package - Napoli

Underperforming Club - Chelsea

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

Best Player - Raphinha

Breakout Player - Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

Underperforming Player: Mo Salah

Ben Humphris - Freelance Writer - Everton Fan

Based on PSG’s performances in the Champions League, they were by far the best team in the competition and I think they continue that this season by becoming back-to-back Champions League Winners.

I think Arsenal will surprise this season and get to the final - they’ve been a bit sloppy in the Premier League so far, but they have made additions in the summer that really improve their squad. They have also got some easy fixtures against the likes of Kairat which means they should get past the League Phase easily.

I think Chelsea will go on a a bit of a run this year after they proved to have a bit of a spark in the Club World Cup. Estevao will be a good player for them this year, but I don’t think they will reach the final.

I think Real Madrid will surprisingly perform quite poorly this season under Xabi Alonso in the Champions League. Not sure why this is my thinking exactly, but I can just see them qualifying for the knockout stages and getting beat early.

Ousmane Dembele scored eight in the Champions League last season, and I think he’ll go better this time out when PSG should win it again.

Desire Doue was unbelievable for PSG last season, winning their Young Player of the Season award. He’s going to go up another level this season, I feel.

Rio Ngumoha has shown he has class at such a young age already this season, and he will shine in the games for Liverpool in the League Phase against lower level opposition

I don’t think Trent fits into the style of play that Madrid will play under Alonso and I don’t think he will transition well after leaving Liverpool.

Winners - Paris Saint Germain

Runners-up - Arsenal

Surprise Package - Chelsea

Underperforming Club - Real Madrid

Top Scorer - Ousmane Dembele

Best Player - Desire Doue

Breakout Player (U21) - Rio Ngumoha

Underperforming Player - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Tom Ewart-Smith - Freelance News Writer - Southampton Fan

While many are touting Liverpool to get their hands on the Champions League trophy, I have gone for Catalan giants, Barcelona. They were a whisper away from reaching the final last year and I believe they would’ve beaten PSG had they met instead of Inter Milan. They also have the best player in the world. PSG will no doubt go far but I have them coming up just short against Barca in the final.

In recent years, Italian teams have surpassed expectations, with Inter Milan being the main example. I was inclined to go for Napoli as the surprise package given their early league form, but I believe Juventus could go as far as the semi-finals with a bit of luck, and that would be more of a shock. Such success could be determined by Kenan Yildiz, who has a certain X factor, and I believe he could be the breakout player.

My other shining stars are a little more predictable. I think Kylian Mbappe will take the Golden Boot - especially given his red-hot La Liga start - while Lamine Yamal will guide the Azulgrana to Champions success and be the tournament’s best player.

On the flip side, Chelsea and Jude Bellingham will underperform. Opta Analyst has given Chelsea a higher chance of winning the tournament than Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The Blues - despite their unbeaten league record - have hardly had a scintillating start to the season and have a team with very little Champions League experience. I can’t see them making it past the Last 16. Bellingham, meanwhile, will struggle coming back from fitness and take time to coalesce with Alonso’s new-look team.

Winner - Barcelona

Runner-up - PSG

Surprise Package - Juventus

Underperforming Club - Chelsea

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

Best Player - Lamine Yamal

Breakout Player - Yildiz

Underperforming Player - Jude Bellingham

James McLeish - Features Writer - West Ham United Fan

Winners - Bayern Munich

The German champions have reached the last eight of the Champions League for six seasons straight and have started the season with four straight wins and 17 goals scored, looking completely unstoppable. That’s without the likes of Musiala and Davies, who have started the season injured.

Looking at their league phase fixtures, I reckon they can get at least 19 points, which would’ve put them in a top-four spot in the league table last season. Three of the four teams that reached the semi-finals last season also finished in the top four of the league table, and with their squad only growing stronger this summer, it’ll take huge efforts to beat the Bavarians.

Runners-Up - Liverpool

Liverpool have already displayed this season that they have what it takes to win a game in its final moments, a complementary style for knockout football. The Reds were unfortunate to draw PSG in the round of 16 last season, but their league phase showed their capabilities in Europe under Arne Slot. I definitely put them down to be the English team that goes the furthest in the UCL this season.

Surprise Package - Union Saint-Gilloise

As Champions League debutants, USG fit the mould to be a surprise package this season. The Belgian side have started the league season with an unbeaten streak of seven games, putting them in a strong position to clinch back-to-back domestic titles already.

Their performances in Europe has seen the club jump almost 50 places in the UEFA coefficient rankings in three years, with a squad handpicked from all across Europe that boasts recent signings from the Slovenian and Estonian top flight, as well as Accrington Stanley. A tough fixture list might hold them back, but recent history has shown that they know how to reach the knock-out stages of the Conference and Europa League, so why can’t they do it in the UCL?

Underperforming Club - PSG

Paris Saint-Germain went from money-driven villains to fluid football heroes in the space of 12 months last season, but their success sets them up to underperform expectations this year. A tough league phase draw sees them face seven teams from Europe's top five leagues, the other fixture being away at Sporting.

Failing to finish in the top eight would hand them another tricky run to the final, and can they really replicate last season's form? I think not.

Top Scorer - Harry Kane

Harry Kane has hardly started his third season in Germany, but is seven goals away from hitting a century for Bayern. The Englishman has 10 strikes already in 2025/26, and 40 Champions League goals in 57 appearances, giving him the third-best UCL goal ratio amongst active players behind Lewandowski and Haaland.

Five of Bayern’s league phase games are against teams from outside the top five European leagues, giving Kane the perfect opportunity to stat pad against the likes of Pafos, Brugge, and PSV.

Best Player - Harry Kane

Perhaps it's boring to give the top scorer the best player as well, but the two often correlate. Kane moved to Bayern to accomplish things that felt impossible at Tottenham. Collecting the golden boot and best player after lifting the UCL trophy would truly prove he is one of football's current greats. If I’m backing the Germans to go all the way, then Kane will definitely find himself amongst the player of the tournament candidates.

Breakout Player - Kasper Høgh

Europe’s elite won’t know what's hit them when they land in the Arctic Circle to play Bodø/Glimt, especially when lining up against a forward who has 21 goal contributions in 20 Eliteserien games this season. The Danish striker scored nine goals in Europe last campaign, and whilst his team might not advance further than the league phase, the 24-year-old will still get the chance to play Tottenham, Juventus, Man City, and Atletico Madrid.

His 38 goals since joining Bodø/Glimt at the start of 2024 has gone relatively under the radar, and whilst he will be injured for the UCL opener against Slavia Praha, expect the Dane to be amongst the headlines if Glimt are to cause some upsets. An honourable mention goes to Monaco’s Christian Mawissa, who no doubt will become the next French defender to leave the club in a big-money move.

Underperforming Player - Serhou Guirassy

Last year’s Champions League joint top scorer will no doubt be leading the line for Borussia Dortmund once again, especially after scoring four in his opening three Bundesliga games. However, I think the Guinean forward will massively underperform goals-wise compared to the 13 he bagged in the 2024/25 UCL.

Dortmund face Man City, Tottenham, and Juventus away from home, as well as Inter Milan in Germany. I expect the striker to be muted in these fixtures, and would not be surprised if Guirassy finishes the tournament with a goal tally below four, a measly amount compared to last campaign.

Tom Booth - Features Writer - Peterborough United Fan

I think it will be Real Madrid’s year this time around. Xabi Alonso will get them back on track after their quarterfinal exit to Arsenal last term. The team is already flying at domestic level and after all, Los Blancos are the engineers of this competition.

I am hoping they face rivals Barcelona for an El Clásico final. Barca have started their campaign well too and were one of the favourites to win the Champions League last season. They were unfortunate not to go all the way with their exciting team, but things may change this season.

Alongside my prediction for Real Madrid to win, it is only right that Kylian Mbappe steals the headlines. I am predicting him to become top goalscorer which results in him being the best player too. I also believe neither Liverpool nor PSG will live up to expectations this time round.

Winners - Real Madrid

Runners-Up - Barcelona

Surprise Package - Tottenham

Underperforming Club - Liverpool

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

Best Player - Kylian Mbappe

Breakout Player (U21) - Estevao

Underperforming Player - Ousmane Dembélé

Theo Nicholson - EFL Writer - Manchester United Fan

Beginning a sixth Champions League campaign since last winning the trophy, Bayern aren’t really being looked at as true challengers. With additions of Luis Diaz, Jonathan Tan and Nicolas Jackson as a back-up striker to the ever reliable Harry Kane, there’s more strength in depth. Olise is playing his best football, Gnabry is looked sharp and Musiala is still to return around November. It is their defence that is more concerning, but they’ll get a huge boost as Alphonso Davies will be returning to action next month. They really could surprise a few people come May.

PSG as runners-up - they’re of course the team to beat, but playing an ageing Inter side in last seasons final, they won’t have it so easy this time. With Galatasaray signing Osimhen permanently and timely additions of Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane could see the Turkish outfit being a real threat. After winning the Club World Cup, I think Chelsea may struggle similarly to their last UCL campaign. Despite Joao Pedro’s fine form since his arrival, their defence and goalkeeper worry me too much when put under real pressure.

I've opted for Erling Haaland for top scorer as I see City going deep into the competition - very self-explanatory. The best player, as mentioned already, I think will be Olise if Bayern win the tournament. His five goals in the competition last season will be bettered and he’ll bring his league form to the European stage. A breakout star could be Juventus youngster Vasilije Adžić. The talented midfielder made his Serie A debut last season and has already made a cameo appearance off the bench this term against Inter, scoring from a crazy distance. Liverpool will do better in the UCL this season, but it may not all be plain-sailing for their £125m pound striker Alexander Isak. Instead, I see Ekitike taking the plaudits.

⁠Winners - Bayern Munich

⁠Runners-Up - PSG

Surprise Package - Galatasaray

Underperforming Club - Chelsea

⁠Top Scorer - Erling Haaland

Best Player - Michael Olise

⁠Breakout Player (U21) -Vasilije Adžić

⁠Underperforming Player - Alexander Isak

Glen Matthews - Betting Writer - Liverpool Fan

It’s a long road to next years final in Budapest but the Champions League kicks off with as many as eight teams setting their sights on glory this year. Ultimately, I feel it’s hard to look past the big guns and with a Liverpool squad packed full of talent following their summer spending spree, I think we will be lifting the trophy at the end of the campaign.

In terms of goal scoring, the fact Harry Kane & Kylian Mbappe have both started the season in blistering form looks ominous for the rest of Europe and the competitions latter stages will be a real deciding factor in who wins the golden boot. Young Swedish International Lucas Bergvall is my pick to shine under Thomas Frank and lead a Tottenham midfield that has been crying out for an energetic, box-to-box midfielder for years.

I feel with Rodri struggling to get back to the levels he was at pre-injury and numerous others feeling the effects of Pep Guardiola’s demanding standards, e.g Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mateo Kovačić, Man City’s form will slowly start to dip and a run to the latter stages this year looks unlikely.

Winners - Liverpool

Runners-up - Bayern Munich

Surprise Package - Athletic Bilbao

Underperforming Club - Manchester City

Top Scorer - Harry Kane

Best Player - Florian Wirtz

Breakout Player (U21) - Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham)

Underperforming Player - Bernardo Silva

Ben Growdon - Premier League Writer - Chelsea Fan

As a Chelsea fan it'd be rude not to back the World Champions to conquer Europe on their return. Against Los Blancos, it'd be very fitting to repeat the success against them in 1971 and 1998.

Napoli could fit the bill as a surprise package despite their domestic success last campaign. Not many may see them going far but with Hojlund hitting the ground running and McTominay and De Bruyne running the midfield, they could definitely make a deep run. As for Newcastle and Bodo/Glimt, both sides can definitely cause upsets and make a fairy-tale run not many will see coming.

Man City will not make it far. Their start to the campaign has not impressed me at all and Pep always seems to overthink things in important moments (Porto 2021). If Madrid are to make it far, it will be because Mbappe is scoring goals for fun, while Palmer will receive another Player of the Match award in a big final. Kenan Yildiz has broken into the Juve side, starting all games so far, and could set the European stage alight if he replicates his incredible CWC campaign. Lastly, Isak will have a lot of pressure on him to perform considering the price tag he holds, and I simply do not believe he will live up to expectations.

Winners - The one and only Chels

Runners-Up - Real Madrid

Surprise Package - If not Napoli, then Newcastle or Bodo/Glimt

Underperforming Club - Man City

Top Scorer - Kylian Mbappe

Best Player - Cold Palmer

Breakout Star - Kenan Yildiz

Underperforming Player - Alexander Isak

Charlie Bush - Studio Presenter - Watford Fan

Winners - Liverpool

I’m backing Liverpool to win because they’ve got a really strong squad depth, especially in attack, which means they can keep fresh legs on the pitch throughout the tournament. Their Slot system seems to be working well, helping players find the right spaces and create chances. Plus, they’ve got loads of experience in the Champions League, so they know how to handle the pressure in big games.

Runners-Up - Napoli

Napoli looks like the perfect candidate for runners-up with their strong and experienced squad, playing a really attractive style of football. McTominay has been looking class and in great form, which adds a lot of solidity. Their midfield is well drilled and progressive with the ball, meaning they can control the game and create chances smoothly.

Underperforming Club(s) - Monaco and Atletico Madrid

Monaco faces some tough fixtures, and honestly, their squad might not be strong enough to handle the pressure. Atletico Madrid’s defense isn’t as stable as it used to be, and with Griezmann getting older, they’re likely to struggle. Both teams just don’t look like they have what it takes to go deep this time around.

Top Scorers - Harry Kane

Harry Kane is my pick for top scorer - Bayern’s fixtures look good for him to rack up goals. He’s basically a goal machine, always finding ways to put the ball in the net. Plus, well... he’s Harry Kane - you know what you’re getting with him.

Player of the Tournament (POTT) - Mo Salah

If I have to pick the Player of the Tournament, it’s got to be Salah. He’s from the winning side (most likely), and honestly, who else from Liverpool is going to shine as brightly as him?

Young Player of the Tournament (YPOT) - Lamine Yamal

Yamal pretty much speaks for himself — the kid’s incredible for his age and looks ready to take the big stage by storm. He’s got all the talent and confidence you want to see from a rising star.

Underperforming Player - Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann might end up underperforming this season. He’s getting older, facing hard fixtures, and Atletico’s form has been inconsistent lately. It won’t be easy for him to stand out or carry the team like before.

Ashton Cox - News and Transfers Writer - Chelsea Fan

I think that Bayern Munich will be the Champions League winners based on the core of their team, with solid midfielders such as Kimmich and Goretzka complementing the formidable attack of Kane, Olise, Diaz and Gnabry. Defence is the only slight concern, although the likes of Laimer and Upamecano should have enough experience in front of the veteran Neuer.

PSG will be runners-up - they still have a very good team that blew everyone away last season and a top manager, although I don’t see them repeating the same success this year.

The surprise package will be Napoli, as Italian clubs have largely been slept on in Europe for some years now and Antonio Conte’s men now have enough power to go on an Inter-like run.

My choice for underperforming club will be Atletico Madrid. Whilst they do have a knack of digging deep and finding results, their start to the season has been a big concern and Diego Simeone is under mounting pressure regarding his defensive-minded tactics.

Top scorer will be Harry Kane due to Bayern going all the way, plus I see him bagging loads of goals against the likes of PSV, USG and Pafos in the groups. As a winner and top scorer, he will therefore win the best player award.

Breakout star will be Estevao Willian, although I don’t think Chelsea will go particularly deep in the competition, it probably won't be past the quarters. However, his dazzling Brazilian dribbling technique will light up Europe and have everyone entertained.

The underperforming player will be Raphinha. I don’t think he will be bad, however he wont reach the heights from last season that had many calling for him to win the Balon d’Or until they were knocked out of the semi-finals, which of course has added more expectation since.

Winners - Bayern Munich

Runners-Up - PSG

Surprise Package - Napoli

Underperformers - Atletico

Top scorer - Harry Kane

Best Player - Kane

Breakout Star - Estevao

Underperforming Player - Raphinha

Arthur Turner - EFL Writer - Chelsea Fan

While it hurts me to put my club, the world champions, as runners-up, I think Barcelona were extremely unlucky against Inter in the semis last season, and I can't see them falling short again. They haven't missed a beat this season so far, with all their players looking as good as ever. This will be Yamal's season, winning the UCL, going far with Spain in the World Cup, and potentially winning the Balon d'Or

That being said, I think Chelsea will be the surprise package this season in the UCL, with Estevao being the breakout star. Helped by Cole Palmer of course, I think the Brazilian will make a name for himself in Europe this season.

I think Bayern will go far in the UCL this season, with Harry Kane being the competitions top scorer - no surprises there.

Real Madrid's return to glory in Europe is going to have to wait a bit longer, I'm afraid. I can't see Xabi Alonso holding his job for longer than a couple years, and I think Kylian Mbappe will massively underperform.

Winners - Barcelona

Runners-up - Chelsea

Surprise Package - Chelsea

Underperforming Club - Real Madrid

Top Scorer - Harry Kane

Best Player - Yamal

Breakout Player (U21) - Estevao Willian

Underperforming Player - Kylian Mbappe

Jordan Benford - Premier League Features Writer - Liverpool Fan

We saw last season that Hansi Flick's Barcelona side was the most exciting team to watch, though admittedly that was also their undoing in the semi-finals, but I have a feeling that this year will be their best in the post-Messi era. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will undoubtedly get the headlines, however, Pedri running things in the middle of the park could see him as the tournament's standout player.

Manchester City have stuttered in the early phases of the season, though Haaland looks as hungry as ever. His goals could propel them deep into the tournament, while Oscar Bobb could announce himself on the big stage after his injury-hit 2024/25 campaign.

Retaining the Champions League is not common place, and I think Luis Enrique's side may be found out this season, the same can also be said of Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid who have lost an abundance of experience (but it is Real Madrid, and their Champions League juju is powerful stuff).

Winners - Barcelona

Runners-up - Manchester City

Surprise Package - Napoli

⁠Underperforming Club - PSG

Top Scorer - Erling Haaland

Best Player - Pedri

⁠Breakout Player (U21) - Oscar Bobb

⁠Underperforming Player - Vini JR

Ewan Jackson - EFL Writer - Sheffield Wednesday Fan

For me this season’s Champions League is Liverpool’s to lose. I would have argued they were favourites to win it before the signing of Isak, but the addition of the Swedish striker puts the Reds firmly outright as the competition’s team to beat. I can also see Bayern getting deep into the tournament - their summer addition of Luis Diaz adds to their embarrassment of riches in attacking talent and they will be incredibly hard to beat this year. I can see Harry Kane continuing to benefit from this creativity in the side and will lead the competition in goals.

PSV Eindhoven are definitely a team to watch out for this campaign. Having got to the round of 16 last year, manager Peter Bosz has an exciting young team at his disposal. I can see the Dutch side improving again this campaign. As for my prediction on who will underperform, I cannot look further than Man City. Their derby win at the weekend doesn’t distract me from the fact they have weaknesses at the back, which will be exploited against decent opposition. I also think Donnarumma’s struggles to play out from the back will be magnified.

The best player in the competition will be Lamine Yamal. He is an anomaly. Goals and assists, creativity and flare, I believe the Spaniard will set the Champions League alight yet again. My breakout player is Ajax’s Jorthy Mokio. At 18, he looks to be the next starlet from the Dutch side’s academy production line who is ready to take the footballing world by storm.

Winners - Liverpool

Runners-Up - Bayern Munich

Surprise Package - PSV

Underperforming Club - Man City

Top Goalscorer - Harry Kane

Best Player - Lamine Yamal

Breakout Player - Jorthy Mokio

Underperforming Player - Gianluigi Donnarumma

Cameron Utiger - Lead Editor and Head of Video Production - Liverpool Fan

Winners - Barcelona

They are a strong team with exceptional talent. That front three of Lewandowski, Yamal and Raphinha will be hard to stop.

Runner-Up - Liverpool

We have the squad depth to really push this tournament, and have a strong replacement for almost every position on the field.

Surprise Package - Bodo/Glimt

They'll do well after just missing out on the Europa final last year. I feel they will make the knockout stage and cause some upsets against larger teams.

Under Performing Club - Bayer Leverkusen

They have so many issues with management and performances so far this year. I feel they won’t even make the playoffs round.

Top Scorer - Robert Lewandowski

With Yamal and Raphinha on each side, Lewandowski (in arguably his last UCL season) will be bagging goals.

Player of the Tournament - Lamine Yamal

This young man is an immense talent with no signs of slowing down. If last year’s UCL is anything to go off, Yamal will dominate again.

Breakout Young Player - Rio Ngumoha

He could be Liverpool’s new answer to Divock Origi. High chance of super sub heroics after a surprise inclusion to the squad.

Under Performing Player - Randal Kolo Muani

He didn’t do much for PSG, and he is second choice at Tottenham to Richarlison.

Louis Bond - Premier League Writer - Liverpool Fan

For the first time in a number of years, I truly feel this seasons Champions League could be won by anyone. If I had to back a team, I’d go for Liverpool, purely due to the quality we have going forward, with additions such as Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, as well as the security of having Virgil van Dijk and Alisson protecting you. Anfield on a European night has the ability to be very special and that makes me believe they’ll go the distance. Barcelona feel like the team that will push them closest, but I think they’ll just fall short at the very end. Similar to how last seasons league phase ended, I believe Liverpool and Barcelona will once again be the top two. I’ve also got an eye on Galatasaray as my surprise package. They’ve built a dangerous squad, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they caught a few giants off guard and produced a run deep into the competition.

On the flip side, I’ve got a feeling Arsenal won’t live up to the hype in Europe this season. Whilst I do believe Mikel Arteta’s side will win the Premier League, the inexperience of winning in Europe will shine through again similarly to how it did against PSG in last seasons semi-final. In terms of individuals, it’s hard to look past Haaland as the top scorer. He’s simply built for this stage and I think Manchester City will also go deep into the competition, especially with Rodri back from his long term injury.

My pick for the standout player is Lamine Yamal - a player I’m sure many people certainly won’t pick! If Barcelona were to win this season's Champions League, he will be the reason as to why they win it.

Estevao Willian of Chelsea is my breakout U21 star of this season's Champions League. I don’t think Chelsea will win the competition, but I do think the Brazilian will get good minutes in the competition after showing glimpses in the Premier League, and will produce one or two big moments for Chelsea in the knockout stage.

Florian Wirtz, despite all the expectations around him, might not quite deliver to the level people are hoping for. By no stretch do I think Wirtz is anything other than world class, but a £100 million pound player needs to be producing moments of magic instantly, and I just can’t see the German doing that this season. Once he is adjusted to this Liverpool setup, he will flourish into one of the greatest attacking midfield players football has ever seen (probably).

Winners - Liverpool

Runners-Up - Barcelona

Surprise Package - Galatasaray

Underperforming Club - Arsenal

Top Scorer - Erling Haaland

Best Player - Lamine Yamal

Breakout Player (U21) - Estevao

Underperforming Player - Florian Wirtz