Now that we are a few games into yet another exciting Champions League tournament (half way through the group stages actually!), we figured it’s about time to look at teams are outside favourites for the title- specifically looking at teams who have impressed so far and could cause a few surprises in this year’s event. After all, talking about the favorites is never as exciting as talking about the dark horses.
It’s been an odd tournament so far- Barcelona have been particularly shocking, losing to both Bayern and Benfica and edging Dynamo Kyiv 1-0. AC Milan have failed to secure a point in this year’s competition, while Sheriff Tiraspol are on top of a group that has both Real Madrid and Inter Milan!
We’ve detailed three teams whom we feel have an outside shot at victory below, and if you’d like to grab some nifty bonuses and put some money on these three to go far in the tournament, or perhaps even go all the way, the Footballwhispers.com site could come in quite handy.
Teams that could cause a serious upset
As mentioned above, we’re only half-way through the group stages, but this also means every team has played the others in the group at least once, and that gives us a decent idea as to how things could pan out going forward.
Manchester United
Why Manchester United? Two words – Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s his favorite competition, and it’s the one he is undoubtedly desperate to win since coming back to Old Trafford. He has an unbelievable knack for stepping up when it matters too, as he has already proven twice in the group stage. Of course, Ronaldo alone won’t lead to Manchester United winning the tournament, but his presence alone will lift the team in terms of confidence, belief, and ultimately, results. Following an impressive comeback victories against Villarreal and Atalanta, United are now top of the table despite not quite being at their best.
In addition to this, they’ve also got serious talent in the squad. Guys like Rashford, Cavani, Pogba and Fernandes are top-level players, and they are more than capable of beating the best teams in the world collectively.
Plus there is talk of Solskjaer moving out, and as Chelsea have proved in the past, a new manager can sometimes be the missing link in the quest for European glory.
Ajax
Ajax have been been flawless to date in their 21/22 Champions League campaign, and their 4-0 demolition of a Dortmund team that included Erling Haaland was quite something to watch. Their group was dubbed a mini Group of Death and one could’ve argued at the beginning that each of the four in it- Ajax, BVB, SCP and BJK, would’ve fancied their chances of going through. Erik Ten Hag’s men are currently 3 from 3, and have already scored 11 goals and let in just one. Ajax are no strangers to playing amazing football in the Champions League over the last few years too. They just seem to gel so well as a team, and it would great to see an encore of their 18/19 run, when a team with Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van de Beek made it to the last four.
Juventus
Losing Cristiano Ronaldo during the summer transfer window was a serious blow to this squad. Domestically, this seems to have had a lasting impact, as Juventus has struggled to pick themselves up. But in the Champions League, they seem like a team possessed. Much like Ajax, they have won all three opening games, including a fine 1-0 victory against last year’s winners Chelsea. Should they continue the way they are doing, they will be a threat to any team – even without the mighty Ronaldo in their roster.