03/03/2025【HKJC Notice】Ashley Cole - UCL Finalists analysis Real and Barca prepare for a Clasico in Munich

Ashley Cole – UCL/UEC

Ashley Cole played for Arsenal and Chelsea which he lifted EPL, EFA, ELC, ESH, UCL and UEC. He is currently a football pundit for a UK TV station.

Ashley Cole: UCL/UEC champion prediction

Now that the playoffs are over, the competition starts to get serious from here as teams are able to start mapping out their route to the final. At this point, It’s difficult to look past a couple of teams who are steeped in history in European competition.
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Although Real Madrid went through the playoffs their relationship with this competition can’t be overlooked. The pair can meet in the semi-final, with real having the potential harder route but I expect both these to get through to this stage to set up a blockbuster. Arsenal, with their lack of striker won’t win this competition. I can see them overcoming PSV but to go on a meet Real Madrid and then PSG will be a step too far this season as every chance counts across knockout football. The other side of the draw sees difficult ties for Bayern Munich. Their unsteady form, having to go through the playoffs, also makes them a lesser threat in this year’s competition for me.

Although as a well-established club, we haven’t seen the best of Barcelona in this competition in recent years but I can see them reaching the final of this year’s competition. A favourable draw which sees them face Benfica, a tram they have already beaten this season in an amazing match and then Dortmund, are all sides you expect the La Liga team to overcome especially given their firepower.

For me it’s between Real Madrid and Barcelona as they are the most balanced sides with the most potent attack forces. It’s difficult to look past any of them but given both the clubs and managers relationship with the tournament, if Real Madrid can overcome Atletico I can see them going all the way again, with the potential of meeting Barcelona in the final.

In the Europa league, the draw looks a little more favourable for English sides. Despite catastrophic league campaigns, both man united and spurs have put on better showings in Europe and with ties against sides they should beat the teams they have bene drawn against.
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Outside that, Lazio, who are going well in Seria A have a nice route to the semi-finals, paired with a strong showing so far in the competition, finishing top of the group with the most goals scored and conceding the least, puts them as the hot favourites for this year’s competition.

Bilbao, second in the group have a hard fixture and could then go onto meet Rangers, who will pose hostile away atmospheres.

The English sides will fare well, but as we have seen in the PL this season, when tested crumble so I think it will be another European side who lift the trophy this year and I’m going to tip Lazio.

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