Who will win the Champions League?
The group stages for this year's Champions League competition will be drawn this afternoon, but who will win the biggest prize in European football?
Chelsea became the first team from the capital of England to win the trophy in May, beating the German giants Bayern Munich on penalties in their own back yard. This year the final will be held in Wembley and that gives the English teams an extra incentive to get there.
Before the season started I asked a number of Squarefootball writers and esteemed guests for their views on who would win the Champions League this season. Unsurprisingly the two Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid featured heavily in this poll.
Chelsea fan Joe Tyler believes Roberto Di Matteo will be able to retain the trophy - although he admits that is his heart ruling his head - but Squarefootball's Chelsea reporter Tapan Jindal thinks Real Madrid will take Chelsea's crown.
"This year the Champions League is Real Madrid's. Mourinho and his team have no competition. Chelsea are rebuilding their squad and Barcelona have to adjust to a new manager."
That is a viewed shared by Blackburn Rovers fan Terry Kennedy, Manchester City's Callum Rothwell, Sunderland's Tony Ratton, Manchester United's Alex Richert, Everton's Barry Gregory and Squarefootball's Hugh Larkin.
Aston Villa fan Christian Dougherty also has a feeling the trophy will be heading back to the Bernabeu this season, but that Jose Mourinho will then return to the Bridge after Di Matteo is axed for losing the league on goal difference. Stranger things have happened, but would Chelsea fans want Mourinho back?
However, Squarefootball's Sunderland reporter Sarshar Hosseinnia believes it will be Real's Spanish rivals Barcelona who will lift the coveted trophy.
"Barcelona have incredible strength in depth and their youngsters (Affelay, Deulofeu, Tello) will make headwaves this season."
Barcelona also get the nod of Bolton supporter Dave Blackburn, Birmingham City fan Steve Coulter and Newcastle's Greg Hall. They are also the bookies' favourites just ahead of Real, despite the Catalan club losing the Super Cup on Wednesday night.
Having won the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League in 2012, Manchester City fan Venz de Zoysa thinks Roberto Mancini will complete the treble this season.
"City have won the Premier League making them the talk of England. Now they want to be the talk of Europe. For me it looks like this season the Citizens will waiver in EPL form but go in all guns blazing in the Champions League and come through, especially if they can add to their squad before the end of the transfer window."
And that is a view shared by West Brom fan Andy Wakeman, but Celtic fan Jim Barry believes it will be AC Milan's turn to get their name back on the trophy.
Personally, Real Madrid and Barcelona are miles ahead of the rest but then Chelsea and Bayern Munich proved that they are not invincible last season. Chelsea had an awful lot of luck last year to win the competition but with Hazard lighting up the Premier League they will not give up their crown easily. Manchester United will be looking to reach the semi-finals at least and rivals City will also look to get into the knockout stage. Arsenal should have enough to remain in the competition after Christmas but they have little chance of winning it.
If I had to pick a winner it would have to be Barcelona.
Here are the best odds still available at the bookies as of 1pm.
Barcelona 3/1 Paddy Power
Real Madrid 4/1Coral
Manchester City 7/1 Stan James
Manchester United 12/1 Stan James
Bayern Munich 14/1 Bet Victor
Chelsea 16/1 Bet Victor
Juventus 18/1 Bet 365
Paris Saint-Germain 20/1 Coral
Arsenal 28/1 BlueSquare
Borrusia Dortmund 30/1 Bet Victor
AC Milan 33/1 888Sport
Valencia 66/1 Paddy Power
Celtic 500/1 Paddy Power
Calling all football fans: Who do you think will win the Champions League at Wembley in May 2013? Will it be Real Madrid or Barca? What about Chelsea? Can they retain the cup? Or can City win their third major trophy in three years? Whatever your views we'd love to hear from you.
