Who else is excited for the return of Champions League football? There is something quite spine-tingling about hearing that famous theme song on a Tuesday and Wednesday night – and Europe’s elite club competition returns on September 18th.
Four Premier League clubs; Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, will feature in this season’s competition and all four will fancy their chances of a successful campaign.
The last English side to lift the famous trophy was Chelsea in 2011/12 and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a Premier League side end that run this year.
MANCHESTER CITY
Favourites for European glory with 888sport this season, City are primed to go deep into the competition. Pep Guardiola’s side fell short against Liverpool last term but the Blues will be quietly confident of a much-improved run in Europe.
Champions League glory was the club’s long-term aim a decade ago and the trophy continues to elude their grasp.
City were handed a dream draw in the group stages and punters will be backing the Blues to advance to the last-16 as winners of Group F. Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk and Hoffenheim won’t offer too much resistance, even if the trip to Ukraine is a little daunting.
City are a little short at 17/4 to win the competition but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Pep’s men reign supreme.
Odds: 17/4
MANCHESTER UNITED
Jose Mourinho’s side suffered an embarrassing last-16 defeat at home to Sevilla in 2017/18 and the Red Devils will be looking to make amends for that disappointment.
United have failed to inspire confidence so far this season but a good run in the Champions League could settle the ship at Old Trafford. Getting through the group stages is an absolute must.
Drawn in Group H, United could have had an easier time of things. Young Boys will struggle but Valencia could be a tough nut to crack - the 1/2 for the Red Devils to finish in the top two is worth considering.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford with Juventus and the Italian outfit, finalists in two of the last four seasons, will be quietly confident of topping the group. An emotional encounter awaits on October 23rd.
Odds: 30/1
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spurs are on the verge of something special. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are the new north London powerhouse and their fans love it.
When it comes to the Champions League, Spurs have had a few memorable nights under the floodlights and supporters will be hoping for a couple more in 2018/19. There’s no reason why Tottenham cannot go far this season.
For travelling fans, Spurs were handed a dream draw. Trips to Camp Nou and the San Siro await and Tottenham will be quietly confident of joining Barcelona in the last-16.
The La Liga giants should advance as group winners but Spurs managed to pick up four points from two matches against Real Madrid last season – and Los Blancos went on to win the trophy. 3/1 to win the group is worth considering.
Odds: 25/1
LIVERPOOL
Last but not least, we have Liverpool. Runners up in 2017/18, the Reds have the quality to go one better this campaign.
Jurgen Klopp is one of the best managers in world football and Liverpool now have plenty of strength in depth – something that was lacking last season. At 11/1, they could be the team to back.
The Reds will take some stopping this season but Klopp’s men will have to negotiate the ‘Group of Death’ in order to reach the next round.
Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade lie ahead for Liverpool and the five-time European champions will need to be at their brilliant best to emerge victorious. Expect lots of entertainment and excitement under the Anfield floodlights in 2018/19.
Odds: 11/1
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
