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ARE EUROPE FOR IT?

The Champions League returns and Manchester United are a great price to win it… but the competition has become stale, predictable and needs change

Charlie Wyett

Published: 14:50, 12 Sep 2017
Updated: 10:46, 13 Sep 2017

THE race to Kiev has begun.

As you would expect, there are no major surprises when it comes to the teams who have a realistic chance of walking out at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium for the Champions League final on May 26.

Real Madrid go into the Champions League as favourites to lift the trophy for the third time on the spinCredit: Getty

Zinedine Zidane has been a managerial mastermind after winning two Champions League titles in two seasonsCredit: EPA

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SunBets make Real Madrid the 4/1 favourites followed by PSG 11/2, Bayern Munich 6/1, Barcelona 12/1 and Juventus 14/1.

Manchester United are 14/1 and this is an excellent price as I would have them ahead of many of the other teams above.

Under Jose Mourinho, United have a strong chance of making the semi-finals as they have more firepower and the defence is slowly improving.

Despite all the rubbish that Gareth Bale was on the verge of leaving – which was never going to happen – he will become an increasingly important player for Real over the next season as Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play less games – even though the Portuguese remains their main match-winner.

Real are still my tip to leave Ukraine with the winners’ trophy once again.

Chelsea will get into the knockout stages, Manchester City should make the quarter-finals at the very least while Liverpool have an extremely tough match against Sevilla tomorrow.

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Manchester United have made a strong start to the Premier League seasonCredit: AFP

Barcelona would be a longer bet to win the Champions League this seasonCredit: AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's big-money signings make them big contendersCredit: Rex Features

Carlo Ancelotti and Bayern Munich will be contenders to win the Champions League for the first time since 2013Credit: Rex Features

Jurgen Klopp’s team will reach the knockout stages but after that, anything else will be a bonus as their defence remains average, which is also why they do not have a chance of winning the Premier League title.

As for Spurs, the fans will enjoy a fascinating group and some great games but they will struggle to progress. I just hope Maurcio Pochettino’s team can sort out their Wembley form in the league.

SunBets are offering 50/1 for Tottenham to win the Champions League although I am not sure many punters will go for that.

🏆Latest Champions League odds🏆

SUN BETS ARE 🔝 PRICE FOR BRITISH CLUBS IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Man United to beat Basel: 2/13
Chelsea to beat FC Qarabag: 1/12
Liverpool to beat Sevilla: 8/11
Man City to beat Feyenoord: 2/5

Can Harry Kane fire Tottenham further in the Champions League this seasonCredit: AFP

Chelsea face Qarabag in the Champions League group stagesCredit: Getty Images

As for the Champions League itself – and the 32 teams who are competing – I do not like the format.

It has become stale and predictable but nothing will change for obvious reasons as the big clubs have so much power.

As for Arsenal, at least they do not have to worry about qualifying from their Champions League group before being knocked out by Bayern Munich or Barcelona out in the last 16.

I would, however, expect to see them in the final of the Europa League in Lyon on May 16.

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