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The UEFA Champions League remains the biggest stage in European football - allowing the biggest clubs and the biggest players to showcase their fantastic abilities while contesting against one another, and that is why it is a tournament most football fans never want to miss.
Once again, the competition has produced all it is well known for - from intense clashes to surprise packages and magical moments as European powerhouses continue to go head-to-head in their bid to claim the continental crown.
At the beginning of the season, many clubs were tipped to dominate the Champions League, but by the conclusion of the group stage, we have already seen most of these clubs fail to reach the expectations that accompanied them into the tournament, while a few others have surprised us with their incredible efforts.
Therefore, we decided to rank the top 5 favourites for the European crown this season, following the conclusion of the group stage.
They are as follows:
#5 Manchester City
Despite trailing Liverpool with 4 points in the race for the Premier League title this season, it has been another impressive campaign for Manchester City, as they been bright in all competitions so far, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
The Citizens reached the knockout phase of the European tournament last time out, and went as far as the quarter-finals before they were eliminated by Liverpool, and they have returned to the competition with a more determined spirit, as they aim to continue their impressive run.
Pep Guardiola's men were one of the brightest sides during the group stage, recording 4 victories, 1 draw, and 1 defeat in 6 games, as well as finishing as leaders of Group F with a whopping 13 points.
#4 Liverpool
It has been another impressive campaign for Anfield giants Liverpool so far this season, with Jurgen Klopp's men moving forward with their record-breaking run across all competitions, including the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds reached the final of the European tournament last season, but were unlucky to suffer a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Spanish giants Real Madrid. However, they have been able to put themselves together as they continue to fight in Europe's elite competition.
Despite being drawn alongside the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli during the group stage, Jurgen Klopp's men ensured they made it into the knockout phase of the tournament once again, with 9 points in 6 games, but face a crucial test ahead with a round of 16 fixture against Bayern Munich.
#3 Juventus
Italian champions, Juventus FC, have been one of the most consistent performers in the UEFA Champions League during the last few years, and by signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid in the summer, they have doubled their strength in the coveted tournament.
The Bianconeri began their European campaign with a vital 2-0 victory over LaLiga outfit Valencia, and they went ahead to add 3 more victories, which was enough to establish them as the leaders of Group H, with an impressive 12 points.
Although their performances dipped a little bit towards the end of the group stage, with defeats against the likes Manchester United and Young Boys Bern, Massimiliano Allegri's men undoubtedly remain one of the hottest candidates to go home with the UEFA Champions League title this season.
#2 Bayern Munich
It has been a difficult year for Bayern Munich at the domestic level, as they find themselves trailing 6 points behind league leaders, Borussia Dortmund, on the Bundesliga table, but the Bavarians have been able to keep things moving in the UEFA Champions League since the start of the campaign.
As a matter of fact, they have been one of the most impressive sides in the European tournament so far this term, and like the other teams on this list, they also have a decent chance of winning the competition, regardless of how inconsistent they have been at the domestic level.
Having finished on top of Group E with a whopping 14 points, the Bavarians will be able to go further if they can pass a serious test against Premier League giants, Liverpool, in their round of 16 encounters next month.
#1 FC Barcelona
After failing to reach the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League for the past 3 seasons, and watching their arch-rivals Real Madrid claim the trophy in each of those years, FC Barcelona have become desperate to claim the coveted prize this term, and they have shown that they mean serious business with their performances in the tournament so far.
Ernesto Valverde's men were ruthless during the group stage, outclassing the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, and PSV Eindhoven to make qualification look very easy, despite being drawn in a group of death (Group B) - with Lionel Messi at the heart of it all.
After emerging as leaders of their group with an impressive 14 points, the Catalans have been drawn with Olympique Lyon in the round of 16, and all eyes will be on them to continue their impressive run when they face the Ligue 1 side in February.
