Football fans will be anticipating how the Champions League will play out in 2020, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all facing difficulties in reaching the last eight. As a new year gets underway and the teams get back to the pitch to battle it out for the title, we’ve picked out some of the teams we think will be most successful in 2020.
Paris Saint-Germain
French champions PSG are still yet to really make their mark on the European competition, despite breezing through their group qualifiers has now seen them backed as one of the favourites. The side has the potential to go far in 2020 as they have the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar on their side, as well as a strong caliber of talent in the form of summer arrivals Mauro Icardi, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Ander Herrera. What’s more, they’ll be out for redemption after their defeat last season against Manchester United in the last 16. PSG are confident that they can progress and go far this season, but just how far remains to be seen.
Barcelona
Messi and his teammates were on the cusp of another Champions League final last season, only to fall at the last hurdle in their second leg at Liverpool. The Catalan side will be keen to earn themselves their first title since 2015 this year. They need to remain strong and overcome the likes of Napoli if they want to hold on to chances of lifting the trophy, but they’re backed by some great talent that keep it within the realms of possibility if they don’t let it slip away from them.
Liverpool
Liverpool are once again the favourites to lift Europe’s biggest prize and having reached the finals in the past two seasons, it’s unsurprising that fans are keen to see them win once again. The Reds have made incredible strides over the last few years and although they will be made to work for their place in the last eight, they are capable of doing just that. Liverpool’s goal this year will be to lift the Premier League title and they’re comfortable in their position leading the top of the division, but whether Klopp can keep them focused while juggling both competitions will make or break their success.
Manchester City
Although Manchester City have struggled domestically this season, they are one of the favourites to secure a Champions League title this year, so get your bets in with Infogol. They’ve fallen 14 points from runaway leaders Liverpool in the title race, so Guardiola’s focus will be on European success as the competition continues. City have yet to make their mark on the Champions League since their billionaire takeover more than a decade ago, with a semi-final spot their best performance in years. But domestically, they’ve dominated recent seasons and they have the components to do well if they can push through and stay confident. 2020 could possibly be their year if they can step up their skills against their opponents.