What sides really can win the Champions League this year? Realistically it will be one of the usual suspects, won’t it? I believe this season’s competition will be won by one of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich, the reigning champions Chelsea or Manchester United.

So why Real Madrid?

They are the favourites for this season’s competition. They are favourites every time actually! They are the 9- time champions of this competition. Their team is a solid one with quality players littered throughout the squad.

They have taken time to gel but have done a good job of it and now look like a team which can beat the crap out of its opponents. They have, in Cristiano Ronaldo, a match winner who continues to dazzle the footballing world with his efforts week-in, week-out. They have Iker Casillas. Has he ever needed any description?

Their midfield has Xabi Alonso, a playmaker par excellence, Sami Khedira who is an unsung hero, Angel Di Maria who is continuing his blistering start to the season and Mezut Ozil who is finding his form

Right now there’s no doubt that they have a lot of injuries at the moment but those should clear up once the serious business starts. With urge, momentum and a certain Jose Mourinho on their side, one would back this team to make it to the semis at the very least.

So why Barcelona?

The Blaugrana have won this trophy thrice in the past seven seasons. With the celestial El Messias (Leo Messi to you and me) in their side, you could be forgiven for thinking that winning all trophies on earth is their birthright!

He has been fantabulous as he was last season and is winning close games for his side. He has already scored 15 goals this season not to mention many match-winning assists. Perennial stars like Xavi and Andres Iniesta are at their usual best and continue the good work into the new season which has seen Tito Villanova step into Pep Guardiola`s huge boots. They will be a big force as they always are and I expect them to make it to the semis this year as well.

However, they have made a huge blunder in the transfer market by not signing a top class centre-back. They were punished for this precise reason last season as they lost both the domestic title as well as the continental one. They have looked very shaky at the back this season and unless they do something in January, things could turn bad come the end of the season.

So why Juventus?

The Bianconeri are top of Serie A and look the best Italian side by a mile. They have a solid line up and good quality players all around. They are very strong defensively and were effective in shutting out the likes of Mark Hamsik and Edison Cavani in the recent 2-0 win over Napoli. When your centre-halves (Martin Caceras) and defensive midfielders (Arturo Vidal and a certain Paul Pogba) score match winning goals, you know you have the makings of a title winning team.

Their only Achilles heel is their forward line where they lack a top quality, 20+goals a season forward. Indeed, they are making efforts to recruit people like Fernando Llorente but let us see if they get their man.

They look good enough for a quarter final spot at the very least. But should they come up against a Real Madrid or a Barcelona, their lack of attacking options may hurt them. They are a resilient side as was shown when they came from a 2-0 deficit to get a highly creditable 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. January may prove to be a defining month for their Champions league aspirations.

By Yashasvee Prasad @yash647