Champions League build-up: Rodri – ‘Players close to going on strike’

BBC Sport’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague: You imagine the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City in the semi-finals and, once there, there are many things that affect a result (a referee decision, an injury, a mistake) that is not very clever to predict.

But I feel City have got what it takes to win both the domestic long-term competition and the cup competition that is the Champions League.

They are very strong in both boxes and have the maturity to understand what is required in every part of the pitch and every minute of the game

BBC Sport’s German football expert Constantin Eckner: Real Madrid won the trophy in May and have since added Mbappe to their attack.

The Spanish powerhouse is once again the team to beat, and they may very well win it for the 16th time.

I wouldn’t pay too much attention to their performances until January, because Carlo Ancelotti’s side excels in the knockout stages whereas other teams struggle to perform on point in the later months of the season.

As far as challengers to Madrid’s throne go, Man City and Bayern Munich have the quality to win the competition.

BBC Sport’s Italian football expert Mina Rzouki: I am always loath to bet against Real Madrid, especially considering they are now home to the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe, but I believe this year belongs to Manchester City. With Erling Haaland one of the few players to have benefited from a genuine rest in the summer and a team that remains full of creativity and experience, surely they are the team to beat this year.

Most of the other behemoths have reasons to bet against them. Bayern Munich and Barcelona have a new manager and need time, Arsenal could or should be focusing on the league whereas Manchester City continue to grow and have learned to win in a variety of ways. When even your goalkeeper can deliver assists, I can’t see past Pep Guardiola’s men this season.