Champions League Fever! Who Will Lift the Trophy in 2025/26?
The UEFA Champions League is back, and Mzansi is buzzing! Football fanatics are gearing up for another season of thrilling matches, stunning goals, and nail-biting finishes. With a revamped format and a record number of English teams in the mix, this year's competition promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Who are the Favourites?
Reigning champions Paris St-Germain will be looking to defend their title, but they'll face stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid. Liverpool, bolstered by summer signings, are tipped by some experts to go all the way. Real Madrid, with their history in the competition, are always a threat. The Opta supercomputer also weighs in with its predictions – who does it favour?
The New Format: What's Changed?
Last season saw a significant overhaul of the Champions League format. The traditional group stage has been replaced by a single league stage with 36 teams, each playing eight matches. This new format increases the entertainment factor, with more goals and closer competition.
- Top 8 qualify directly for the last 16.
- Teams 9th-24th enter a play-off round.
- Bottom 12 are eliminated from European football.
English Dominance?
England boasts a record six teams in this year's Champions League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Can one of these teams bring the trophy back to England?
The Champions League kicks off soon, so grab your vuvuzelas and get ready for a season of footballing drama! Don't miss the highlights on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.