5 reasons an English team will win the UEFA Champions League this season

European glory has been somewhat of a distant dream for Premier League clubs recently. Yes, Manchester United won the Europa League last term, but we have to go as far as 2012 to find the last time an English team won the competition when Chelsea were crowned champions, that too with sheer determination and backs to the wall performances.

Now with five English teams in the round of 16 after Christmas, this season looks like the revival of English dominance on the continental stage. Let us take a look at 5 reasons why one of them will go all the way in the competition.

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#5: More teams that can win the competition

Simply put, there are more mathematical chances of an English team winning the competition. Five teams from the same country in the round of 16 is a first for the UEFA Champions League and there is no chance of them playing one another until the quarter-finals thanks to UEFA regulations.

This was not the first time that five from the same country had contested fixtures in the group stage. Spain holds that distinction, from the 2015/16 campaign - though not all of them could quality for the knockout rounds. This leads to the next point...

#4: All 5 teams are strong enough to compete in the continent

Liverpool put 7 past Spartak Moskva

Four teams (Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) topped their group with Chelsea finishing runners-up in a group which also contained both AS Roma and Atletico Madrid.

All five sides are strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Europe's heavyweights and the fall of traditional European giants at their hands should come as no surprise. Already, Spurs beat Real Madrid at Wembley while topping their group - which also contained Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. Manchester City were comfortable winners over Napoli, who are one of the frontrunners to dethrone Juventus and win this season's Serie A title.

Chelsea outplayed Atletico away from home at the Wanda Metropolitano while United were solid, if not spectacular, in almost every group stage fixture.

No team from the continent would ideally want to face any English sides, based on their performances in group stage competition.

#3: The continental giants are not at their best

Carlo Ancelotti got the sack at Bayern Munich earlier in the season

The usual continental giants are not at their best. Barcelona have injury problems, coupled with the loss of Neymar - who has not been effectively replaced.

Real Madrid are misfiring, Bayern Munich have had to rely on a helping hand from former coach Jupp Heynckes to arrest their fears while Juventus have a genuine fight to retain the Scudetto this season too.

The only side that English teams may not go into as the favourite, is against PSG. Of course, time has proven that when the competition intensifies, the big teams and their players deliver.

Even so though, all English teams should fancy their chances against Europe's elite.

#2: English teams can boast having some of the world's best players right now

Hazard and De Bruyne are in the bracket just below Messi and Ronaldo

All five English teams are filled with superstars who can single-handedly win matches against any opposition on their day. Chelsea and Manchester United both have two of the best defences across the continent, while players like Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba help to lead the attacking firepower - spearheaded by Álvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku respectively.

Manchester City can outplay almost anyone and have an array of riches to choose from across their squad. Tottenham have a well-balanced squad with youthful English talent including Harry Kane and Dele Alli, looking to make a big mark on the European stage.

Liverpool have well-documented defensive issues but with players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, can easily outscore most opposition regardless.

#1: The mastermind managers

Both Mourinho and Guardiola have won the competition multiple times

The Premier League also has some of the world's best managers plying their trade there.

Both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola know what it takes to win the competition, having won it multiple times between them. Jurgen Klopp will be out to do one better than his Dortmund side managed in 2013, and actually win the trophy as opposed to finishing runners-up.

Antonio Conte will be undoubtedly eager to prove his critics wrong regarding his Champions League record. Mauricio Pochettino, despite being a young manager, has shown he has the tactical nous to deal with various situations accordingly.

With such master tacticians at the helm, it would take a brave man to bet against an English team being crowned Champions of Europe this term.