Top 5 contenders for the UEFA Champions League title this season

Football aficionados at every start of the season are seen wishing and praying for their team to win the UEFA Champions League. Pretty much, the glossy silver trophy is the Holy Grail of club football. And, the battles that take place for it never tend to disappoint.

Last season Liverpool clinched their sixth European Cup in history by beating fellow English rivals Tottenham Hotspur. On their part, the fans witnessed some of the most enthralling contests in the competition.

This season, the European heavyweights are again ready to lock antlers for the supremacy in the continent. While it’s still a month before the Champions League commences let’s have a look at the five teams that are most likely to win the title.5. Paris Saint Germain

Frankly speaking, none of the clubs in Europe have endured the wrath of cruel fate as good as Paris Saint Germain. The French champions have been ousted by the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Round of 16 for the past three seasons.

That happened despite PSG possessing one of the most feared tridents of Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani. This season, they will be more desperate that anyone to lay their hands on the accolade.

PSG have mainly bolstered their midfield line, signing the likes of Pablo Sarabia, Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye. However, Cavani looks set to leave the French champions over a move to the MLS.

However, with Neymar and Mbapoe at the forefront, PSG will still be equally deadly a team to beat. Only time will tell if they manage to beat everyone to the supremacy in Europe.4. Liverpool

Liverpool will start the campaign as the defending champions of the competition. In a way, they will look to emulate Real Madrid and try to keep the trophy safe from the prying eyes of other clubs lusting over it.

Jurgen Klopp and co haven’t made any significant addition, any marquee signing this summer. However, a thumping 4-1 victory over Norwich and a UEFA Super Cup win ober Chelsea proves their thirst for more glory is deeper than ever.

With that lethal trident of Salah, Mane and Firmino, expect Liverpool to wreak havoc in the Champions League as good as they did last season.3. Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have made winning the Premier League look like a cinch anyone can replicate. The Citizens won the competition second time in a row, but that is far from satisfying their Spanish mastermind.

It is clearly evident that Guardiola is pining to win the Champions League, having last won it in 2011. Equally greater is the club’s hunger to clinch the famous trophy, having crashed out of the competition twice in the semifinals.

Guardiola’s men will be ferocious more than ever, a point they already made following their 5-0 drubbing in their first league game against West Ham. Only time will tell, though, if their actions come to fruition at the end of this season.2. Barcelona

Barcelona’s ill luck in the Champions League seems adamant on leaving them. Having crashed out in a humiliating defeat to Roma, the Catalan giants saw history repeat against Liverpool. Ernesto Valverde’s men were blamed again after surrendering a 3-0 lead in the first leg as Liverpool eventually advanced to win the Champions League last season.

The Catalans last won the competition in 2015 and are desperate to clinch it for the third time in this decade. They have made some brilliant acquisitions in Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann and their attack now appears more razor-sharp than ever. However only time can tell if that is enough to lacerate the mightiest of defences they face in the competition.

Lionel Messi has already made a bunch of promises to the Blaugrana faithful and winning the Holy Grail sits at the top of that list.1. Juventus

Juventus have been unrivalled in terms of the shrewd business they have carried out this summer. The free arrivals of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot coupled with the signings of Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt has strengthened their midfield and defensive options.

With Cristiano Ronaldo upfront trying to make a point, the Bianconeri will be a force to reckon in the Champions League this season. Maurizio Sarri’s tactics are still taking time to be implemented properly, but once he gets the work done, there’s no defence in the world that can peter out that juggernaut.

It would be a crime to put Juve out of the running for the Champions League just because of an abysmal preseason. The Old Lady have conquered Italy for the last 8 years, but the Champions League medal still remains the long-sought dream for them.