The revamped 2024 Champions League and its whopping 36-team league format was expected to be smooth sailing for the continent’s big boys. However, with the winter break now upon us and with just two league games remaining, several heavyweights are in real danger of failing to progress. One team that hasn’t struggled though is Liverpool.
Arne Slot was supposedly taking over the poisoned chalice in replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. But six months into his reign the Merseysiders look set for a record-breaking. They are the runaway league leaders in the Premier League and have a perfect six wins from as many games in the Champions League as well.
In the preseason, online betting sites didn’t really fancy the Reds on either front. With 2025 on the horizon, however, they have promptly changed their tune. One such bookmaker offering pre-match and live sports betting has now installed Slot’s men as a +400 favourite to win the European Cup for a seventh time, and they are similarly priced for domestic honours as well.
But while everything is looking rosy on the red half of Merseyside, their rivals from down the M62 are in the midst of a crisis.
Manchester City
The English champions and 2023 Champions League winners find themselves in uncharted territory. The Blues are currently languishing down in 22nd place, just one point clear of the elimination zone. Pep Guardiola’s side has become known for sheer dominance throughout the iconic Catalonian’s eight-year reign, but this term, they have been plunged into a crisis.
City have won just one of their last ten games, with seven of them being defeats. A season-ending injury to Balon d’Or winner Rodri is what has triggered their current plight, and replacing him in the January transfer window seems to be of the utmost importance. If the Etihad outfit does that, then there is no reason to think that they will suffer an early exit. If they don’t then the writing could be on the wall.
The Spanish midfielder’s absence in the centre of the park was exposed during the thumping 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon. It was in full effect the following matchday as the Blues squandered a three-goal lead at home to Feyenoord to ultimately draw 3-3. The recent 2-0 defeat at Juventus has compounded City’s misery as not only are they leaky at the back, but they’re now also toothless up top.
Guardiola’s men face a crunch clash with PSG that could have devastating consequences for both sides should they not win. Though they end the group stage with a home game against Club Brugge, dropping points in the preceding match could trigger an unthinkable scenario for the former champions.
Real Madrid
The 15-time European champions are no strangers to the pressure of high-stakes matches. However, their campaign this season has been unusually turbulent. Los Blancos currently sits in 20th place, one point clear of the aforementioned Blues but by no means are they out of danger. They managed only two wins in their first five games, losing three times—a far cry from their typically dominant performances.
The cracks have largely shown in their offensive setup. Kylian Mbappé was expected to be the latest Galactico, an addition that should have sent the reigning champions into another stratosphere. Unfortunately for the Frenchman and his new club, he has looked more like an Eden Hazard or Gareth Bale in that famous white shirt, rather than a Cristiano Ronaldo. He has missed two penalties so far in the league stage – most recently in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield – raising concerns about his often clinical composure.
It does seem like the reigning champions have turned a corner in recent weeks. Jude Bellingham is back on song and has netted in each of his last six games, including in a 3-2 win against Serie A league leaders Atalanta on match day six. They should have enough about them to progress.
Paris Saint-Germain
The heavyweight that is in the most danger however is Paris Saint Grmaiun. They managed to pick up just their second win of their continental campaign on matchday six as they handily defeated RB Salzburg in Austria. Even still though, they are teetering on the brink, languishing in 25th place and currently one point adrift of a spot in the knockout stage.
Despite an attack featuring stars like Randal Kolo Muani and Gonçalo Ramos, PSG has struggled to score in Europe, netting a mere three goals across their first five games. Their tameness in front of goal cost them on matchday four as they had plenty of possession at home to Atletico Madrid but were ultimately sucker-punched in true Diego Simeone style thanks to Angel Correa’s 96th-minute winner.
The challenge ahead couldn’t be more daunting. The upcoming contest with Manchester City in Paris will determine their future in the competition and should they come through that unscathed, then they will need a result against Stuttgart in Germany to secure progression.
