Champions League Returns: Top Contenders and Key Players to Follow

The Champions League kicks off again with Paris St-Germain aiming for a historic third consecutive title, something no team has achieved since Real Madrid between 2015 and 2018. The group stage begins Tuesday, featuring five English clubs eager to challenge PSG’s dominance, with Arsenal tipped as favourites to improve on their last season's runners-up finish.

Experts Julien Laurens and Guillem Balague shared their thoughts on potential winners and standout players. Fans can also cast their votes on who they believe will lift the trophy next June in Madrid.

BBC Sport will broadcast highlights every Wednesday at 22:00 BST on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and app. Key moments will be available under the Shorts tab of the app, with a special Champions League Match of the Day airing on BBC One at 22:40. This week, an additional highlights show will air Thursday at 22:30 on BBC Two, with match recaps dropping at 22:00.

Who Are the Front-Runners?

• Julien Laurens: Achieving a three-peat would be phenomenal, but he doubts PSG can do it without a superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo. He expects PSG to reach at least the semi-finals but thinks the title race is tougher. Laurens favours Arsenal to win, praising their defence as Europe's best, and picks Bayern Munich and Arsenal for the final, with PSG making the last four.
• Guillem Balague: PSG’s inconsistent start shows how hard it is to maintain top form. Manager Luis Enrique pushes them with demanding, dynamic football. The group stage is partly experimental before serious competition resumes in January. Barcelona is performing well but could use reinforcements. Arsenal’s recent winning streak has lifted pressure from players, possibly boosting performance. Balague expects PSG, Barcelona, and Arsenal in the semis, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Manchester City likely completing the quartet.

Players to Watch in This Campaign

• Julien Laurens’ picks:Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) - Key player in the number 10 role, expected to score frequently after a strong World Cup.
• Nico Paz (Como) - Their playmaker and first-time Champions League participant, managed by Cesc Fabregas, promises entertaining football.
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) - Known as "Mr Champions League," a lethal winger with both feet, contender for the Ballon d’Or.
• Ismaelo Ganiou (Lens) - Young, quick, and physical centre-back who impressed last season and may move to a Premier League club.
• Donyell Malen (Roma) - Prolific striker with almost a goal per game, revitalizing Roma's attack.

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - A Ballon d’Or contender thriving in Bayern’s system.
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) - A young talent thriving under Hansi Flick's high-press style.
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG) - Expected to shine again and potentially win the Ballon d’Or soon.
• Kaua Elias (Shakhtar Donetsk) - A promising Brazilian talent from Shakhtar’s pipeline.
• Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) - After injury struggles, he's back to leading his team with strong performances.

Statistical Insights on Chances

• Opta data:
• Arsenal are favourites with a 20.4% chance to win, just ahead of Bayern Munich at 20%.
• Manchester City, reigning champions, hold 12.7%, placing them third.
• PSG stand fourth with a 7.3% chance of a three-peat.
• All five Premier League teams rank in the top ten for overall winning probability and have over 50% odds of reaching the last 16.
• Draw difficulty rankings highlight Liverpool with the easiest group phase draw; Stuttgart have the easiest overall path, while Inter Milan leads pot one teams with favourable matches.
• Arsenal’s group includes Real Madrid and Bayern but also the two lowest-ranked teams, Sabah and Slovan Bratislava.
• Manchester City face the toughest fixtures among English clubs, with groups including Barcelona, PSG, and Napoli.
• Last year, Arsenal topped their group with a relatively easy schedule, while Bayern finished second despite the toughest opponents.

How Might the Newcomers Fare?

• Guillem Balague on newcomers:
• Como, guided by Cesc Fabregas, shows promise with innovative tactics and could reach the knockout stages.
• LASK impressed by defeating Celtic but may struggle to qualify beyond the group stage.
• Sabah (Azerbaijan) relies on organization but faces tough games against Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund, likely falling short of qualification.
• Viking faces a challenging group but Norwegian football's competitive edge gives them a chance to advance.

Follow the Action

Catch every Champions League highlight starting at 22:00 BST on Wednesdays via BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and app. A dedicated Match of the Day runs on BBC One from 22:40 to midnight each Wednesday.