Still thinking Chelsea are the favourites.

Can see an upset in this tournament. Atleti, Pool or Dortmund might do it if things go their way

After observing most teams for a bit: Will be between Chelsea and Bayern.

Real Madrid don't think will retain the title. Maybe they could have if they had any defensive cover in midfield but they don't and I don't see who they could get in the winter transfer window who is eligible and can quickly gel.

Atletico are sturdy and organized as ever in defense which is very important for knockout games. But they rely too much on collective spirit and grit. If they concede the first goal against teams like Bayern or Mehdrid it's over. Don't think they can mount another final run. Chelsea would probably not lose twice to them either. Semis at most.

Dortmund if they had all their players fit and in rhytm would be good candidates. But they never do so: no.

Barcelona still have issues with collective pressing, set pieces, fullbacks being out of their depth and how players like Bravo/MAtS, Mathieu, Rakitic etc. and even the coach will do in CL knockout rounds remains to be seen. Sure, Messi, Nerman, Suarez can all win games on their own but a frontline alone never wins you Cups.

Chelsea are Chelsea. They park the bus and get the results. With a bit of luck here and there, sure, they can win it.

Bayern are the most balanced. Neuer-Lahm-Benatia-Boateng-Alaba with Alonso-Schweinsteiger infront is very much the best defensive unit on paper and Robben, Müller, Götze, Lewandowski, Ribery provides adequate cutting edge. Don't think they would get mauled two seasons in a row either. If they'd meet Madrid again they'd most likely win.

Don't think dark horses like Juventus or Roma have what it takes to win the whole thing.

I think Dortmund will get enough of their players back to be a serious contender, too.

For me, it depends a lot on Gündogan.
If Gündogan indeed gets back soon and manages to play a while and reach a level somewhere close to where he was they will be a different beast, and I could see them getting two great performances in a row against strong opposition instead of this inconsistent on off thing now.
They missed him so badly during all that time it's unreal.

Id love to see Atletico - Dortmund.

I think Atletico would win, but either way I think it would be a cool tactical game.

Well, for that we will have to wait how the Group Stage unfolds - and in knock-out matches, Dortmund are notoriously plucky.

Still the same five teams for me namely Chelsea, Barca, Madrid, Bayern and Atleti with the same darkhorses I.e Dortmund and Arsenal

I voted Dortmund for sheer amount of balls, grit, and will.

Probably won't pan out that way, but the way they're performing in Europe atm, with all those injuries, I'm quite impressed, and they'll receive a huge boost by the returning first-teamers throughout the season.

chelsea getting 17 votes.

bayern is the favorite to win it, theres not even a debate there.  next comes the two Spanish giants, only then we can even think about chelsea.
these 4 in all likeliness will be the top 4 if they wont cross each others paths earlier that is.

Eventhough I went on with my heart and voted for Atleti. A dream final will be yes Atleti vs Borussia.

hoping for PSG to win it .

dat coefficient boost

Rooting for Roma since we won't even get out of our group

Don't call me James wrote:Rooting for Roma since we won't even get out of our group

aw come on now you can still get out of your group. I was just pulling your leg in the other thread because you were so confident.

I will say AS Roma, Chelsea, Bayern and Barca for last four.

AS Roma to win the whole thing or at least make it to the finals.
Can also see a triple repeat with Juve-Roma fan, but don't quite think Juve has what it takes.

Let's see where Roma are after we're through with them, shall we.

Roma ?

Robespierre wrote:Roma ?

Exactly

Seems like this year's favorite team for the hipsters.

Lets be real, one of Bayern/Barca/Chelsea will walk out champions.

I dislike predicting anything before we at least reach the knockouts and get an idea what the draw might look like, however I'm expecting Bayern, Barca, Chelsea and one of the Madrid teams to make the semi-finals. Not convinced by Bayern's defence thus far but as players return and the important games roll around, they're my favourites to win still.

PSG and Atleti would be my dark horses if the stars align for them.

I'd like to say thay we have a good chance as well but we'll have to see if we play at a higher level once the knockouts start.

It's to early for any prediction. 90% of the teams are not in form yet. The true strength and dark horses and favorites will show up in the knock out stage.

I know its stupid but I consider us as dark horse

As I read somewhere: "Now that Dortmund have lost the Bundesliga, they can concentrate fully on the Champions League." -_-