English clubs are well-placed to continue dominating the Champions League after the latest round of matches in UEFA’s showpiece tournament.
Five of the last eight finalists have come from the Premier League and a third all-English final in four years could be on the cards this time around.
Manchester City were amongst the favourites with the bookmakers heading into this year’s competition and are well on course to reach the quarter-finals.
The best betting apps rate them as 9/4 shots to lift the prestigious trophy following their 5-0 demolition of Sporting Lisbon and progression to the last eight should be a formality.
However, it would be unwise to get too carried away with City’s chances, given they have failed to live up to their odds on previous occasions.
The biggest threat to their hopes may well be Liverpool, who are aiming to be crowned as champions of Europe for the seventh time.
The Reds comfortably defeated Inter Milan 2-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 encounter and should have little difficulty completing the job on home turf.
Reigning champions Chelsea have been slightly overlooked in the betting this season, but are in good shape to make it to the quarter-finals.
They defeated Lille 2-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this week and should possess to much class for the French outfit in the reverse fixture.
Manchester United could complete a clean sweep of Premier League teams in the quarter-finals, although their tie against Atletico Madrid is tough to call.
Anthony Elanga’s goal in the 80th minute secured a 1-1 draw for the Red Devils in Madrid and they are favourites to edge past the La Liga club.
While English clubs appear to be dominating the Champions League landscape, it would be foolish to think the outcome of this year’s tournament is a foregone conclusion.
Bayern Munich are currently third in the betting behind Man City and Liverpool, and are strongly fancied to join them in the quarter-finals.
They were held to a 1-1 draw by RB Salzburg in their first meeting, but look a good bet to run riot in the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid could also be a big threat once their finely poised tie has been concluded in early March.
Kylian Mbappe’s stoppage time goal gave PSG a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg, but Madrid will fancy their chances of turning things around at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Juventus and Ajax are fancied to make it through from the remaining round of 16 ties, with both securing away draws in their first leg outings.
Dusan Vlahovic bagged an early goal for Juve at Villarreal, but they were pegged back in the second half as Dani Parejo levelled the tie.
Ajax produced some stunning attacking football on their way to a 2-2 draw at Benfica and will be extremely tough to beat at the Amsterdam Arena.
Their style of play has attracted admiring glances from around Europe, but they may eventually come up short if they meet one of the big guns.
Champions League prediction
The four Premier League clubs should all make it through to the quarter-finals, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Ajax fancied to join them there.
Picking a winner from such a stellar line-up is no easy task, but Liverpool look the value bet at 4/1 given their current run of form.
