Barcelona to Win the Champions League
Most betting markets, algorithms, and fans lean towards Real Madrid or Manchester City taking the title. With Kylian Mbappe in Madrid’s squad and Erling Haaland leading City’s attack, it’s easy to see why these two are favorites. However, we’re going against the grain here—Barcelona could be the team to watch.
While City’s dominance is clear, they might find themselves vulnerable if Haaland suffers an injury, leaving Kevin De Bruyne or Phil Foden to fill a gap awkwardly. Real Madrid may have plenty of attacking options, but even Carlo Ancelotti could struggle to get the perfect balance from the squad.
Last season, Real Madrid didn’t cruise through as easily as some may think. Narrow wins against Bayern Munich and shaky performances against RB Leipzig, City, and Dortmund showcased some vulnerabilities. In La Liga, Madrid’s 10-point lead masked a much closer competition with Barcelona, who were plagued by bad luck and injuries.
Barcelona’s struggles last season—ranging from harsh red cards in the PSG quarterfinal loss to a spate of injuries—prevented them from showcasing their full potential. Even with key players like Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Gavi sidelined, Barcelona maintained La Liga’s best xG difference.
The new season hasn’t entirely solved their injury issues—De Jong, Gavi, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araujo are all out. Recent news that Dani Olmo will miss several weeks only adds to their woes. However, if Barcelona can keep their squad healthy, they pose a formidable challenge.
A rejuvenated Robert Lewandowski is still racking up non-penalty goals at an impressive rate, and with emerging talents like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha finding their form under new management, Barcelona has plenty of attacking options. Their current xG difference per game of 1.8, despite facing tough opponents early in the season, suggests they could be Europe’s best team right now. If they keep playing this well, why not dream of a Champions League title?
Celtic to Reach the Knockout Stages
Celtic hasn’t reached the knockout phase of the Champions League in over a decade, with just three wins in their last 30 matches in the competition. Yet, no matter how many times we re-examined the predictions, Celtic consistently found themselves advancing to the last 16.
Brendan Rodgers’ side has had a strong start to the season, winning five out of five league games, scoring 14 goals, and conceding none. Despite losing key players like Matt O’Riley, their recruitment team has made astute signings such as Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo, who have already impressed.
Celtic also benefited from a favorable draw, facing teams like Slovan Bratislava, Dinamo Zagreb, Club Brugge, and Young Boys, which gives them a real chance to reach the knockout rounds. With their strong home form at Parkhead, Celtic could pick up crucial points and make it through.
Haaland to Match Ronaldo’s Goal Record
Erling Haaland has had a stellar Champions League career so far, with 41 goals in just 39 games. While it’s unlikely he’ll surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 141 goals in this campaign, there’s one milestone that Haaland could reach this season.
In 2013-14, Ronaldo set a record by scoring 10 goals in his first four group-stage matches, finishing with 17 by the end of the tournament. Haaland has the opportunity to chase this record, especially with Manchester City set to face teams like Sparta Prague, Feyenoord, and Club Brugge in the group stage.
With Haaland already outscoring most Premier League teams this season and averaging 1.03 non-penalty xG per 90 minutes, his form is sensational. Guardiola has praised Haaland’s fitness and readiness after a summer of rest, making him an even more dangerous threat.
If Haaland keeps up his current form, it’s not hard to imagine him reaching or even surpassing Ronaldo’s single-season goal record of 17 in the Champions League. With City expected to go deep in the tournament, Haaland could be on the brink of history.
