With the Italians crashing out and Real Madrid humbled by Liverpool, which team is most likely to lift the much coveted trophy?

Although the press are drooling over the rather nullifying possibility of an all English semi-final,  there are plenty of top European teams ready and waiting  to knock some of the arrogance out of the Premiership's  finest. Something tells us the English teams won’t have  it all there own way.

Below, we offer our list of favourites to claim this year's Champion's League…

1. Barcelona

In Messi, E'to, Henry, Xavi and Iniesta, Barca have the  most menacing forward line in world football. On their  day, they are unplayable and are capable of outscoring anyone, despite the goals they will inevitably concede.  The sheer talent within their ranks has to place them as  favourites, in any competition they enter. it's theirs to lose.    

2. Liverpool

Rafa Benitez, like Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan, is a European specialist and has his Liverpool team perfectly  tuned to go all the way. The Liverbirds made Real Madrid  look like an inexperienced youth team and they have, in  Fernando Torres, one of the game's most deadly of finishers. Unless they draw Barca along the way, it's  hard to see them not reaching the final.  

3. Manchester United

Can United become the first team since AC Milan in 1990 to retain the prestigious trophy? Ferguson has yet to  find his most coherent line-up and contrary to popular  opinion, Carlos Tevez does not fit well into this  particular unit. However, Ronaldo and Rooney are can turn any game on its head and with Vidic and Ferdinand at the  back, the current holders don’t give much away.  Semi-finalists, at least.

4. Bayern Munich

Although Bayern's 12-1 aggregate score against Sporting Lisbon was somewhat flattering, they are this season's  dark horses. Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery  have formed a lethal attacking trio and at their very  best can turn the most hardened defenses into mush. With Klinsmann's maverick (crazy) brand of management, you  just never know. they'll either get slammed in the next  round or contest the final – who can tell?

5. Chelsea

Lucky to beat a Juventus team slayed by injuries to key players, Hiddink's boys are nevertheless brimming with  confidence. Ultimately, however, Chelsea seem to lack the  spark of inspiration that can turn a game at the highest level. Over a season their efficiency and grit yields  results. But against superior talents, in this  competition, they may come up short. Without Joe Cole and a crocked Deco, where will the magic come from?  Semi-finalists, at best.

6. Arsenal

Too much, too young. Arsenal slipped by Roma on  penalties, despite being outplayed for the majority of the second leg and extra-time. There's no doubt they have  the skill to out-pass their opposition (except maybe  Barcelona), but they lack the cutting edge to make it tell. Maybe next year, when Arsharvin is eligible but  this year they'll knocked out in the quarters.

7. Villareal

With Giuseppe Rossi and Marcos Senna in the team, the Spanish outfit will give any team a hard game. They're  probably on the downturn from the highs of last season,  where they finished 2nd in La Liga and will do well to  push past the quarters, but it's not likely.

8. Porto

A capable team that should have been knocked out by the frustratingly hot and cold Athletico Madrid. Porto have  zero chance of making it past the semis and only a slight chance of progressing, should they draw Villareal or  Arsenal. But even then it's slim to none.

Disagree? Vent your spleen here….

Paolo Cabrelli

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Category: Sport