Who will win the ultimate club prize in Europe?
Our football writers make their selections
Paul Hayward Manchester City
If their centre-backs hold firm, City have an array of creative, attacking players who are ideally suited to turning big games to their advantage in Europe. They have enough Champions League experience now, too.
Jason Burt Paris St-germain
It is difficult to look beyond Real Madrid but PSG could do it. They have an improving team, a coach in Unai Emery more suited to cup competitions and, of course, the new attacking trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.
Sam Wallace Paris St-germain
They have had enough lessons in this competition to know what it takes to win and they have strengthened greatly. Unai Emery is proven in Europe, albeit just the Europa League. Uefa will be praying it doesn’t happen.
Matt Law Real Madrid
Why anybody would bet against the holders, who have already shown the gulf in class between themselves and Manchester United in the Uefa Super Cup, is beyond me. Who can stop them? Most likely, the answer is nobody.
Jeremy Wilson Atletico Madrid
After the dominance of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, there is a stronger group of “outsiders” this year. Paris St-germain and England’s clubs are a threat but Atletico Madrid look best equipped beyond the obvious bets.
Chris Bascombe Atletico Madrid
If there is any justice, Atletico will make it after being denied so often by their city rivals. Diego Simeone is the managerial equivalent of Carl von Clausewitz, turning each tie into a war with the ability to blunt the most lethal attacks.
James Ducker Real Madrid
Real became the first team in the Champions League era to retain the trophy and there is nothing to suggest they are not capable of making it three in a row and four in five seasons. Zinedine Zidane has the most complete side.
Luke Edwards Manchester City
It would be remarkable and slightly depressing if Real Madrid were to win it for a third time in a row, but I feel we may get a surprise, with Manchester City beating PSG in the battle of Europe’s nouveau riche.
Jonathan Liew Juventus
The Italian team are ready to take the next step after losing two finals in three seasons. They have strengthened again in the summer and a front line of Dybala-higuain-mandzukic bears comparison with Europe’s best.
John Percy Manchester City
This will look ridiculous when they get knocked out at the group stage, but Pep Guardiola has built such a formidable attacking armoury that Manchester City have a genuine chance of going all the way.