Top 5 Dark-Horse Teams to the Win the Champions League

Who are the dark horses to win the UEFA Champions League?

Forget the usual suspects in Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. After Borussia Dortmund's impressive showing at English champions Manchester City, who's to say they can't go all the way?

Read on to find the top five unfancied teams in this year's competition who have an outside chance of shocking the world.

Manchester United

It seems strange to be talking about Manchester United as a dark horse for the UEFA Champions League title—they've won it twice in recent history and still have a great squad.

But the truth is they're far from being talked about as favourites. They've fallen down a notch on the pyramid in most people's eyes, but you'd be a fool to rule out a Sir Alex Ferguson team in any competition.

The Red Devils' displays against Galatasaray and CFR Cluj haven't been the most convincing, but it's a relief to see they've put the 4-4-2 in the draw and locked it away.

Juventus

Juventus are one formidable side.

Their current unbeaten streak of over 38 games shows no sign of slowing down, and their resilient showing against reigning champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge proved they're a match for top European teams.

Despite their clear strengths, immense depth of squad and astute coaches, not many fancy the Old Lady to make much of an impact at all.

It's up to the Bianconeri to prove everyone wrong.

Arsenal

It's been a long time since Arsenal travelled to the depths of this competition, and they have frequently bowed out at the quarterfinal stage across recent years.

Despite losing Robin van Persie to Manchester United, and Bacary Sagna to long-term injury, Arsene Wenger's men look slick, quick and up for the fight.

The Frenchman has brought in some key additions with experience on the biggest of stages, meaning this team wouldn't be phased by a high-profile semifinal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arsenal could really make some waves this season.

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund have started this season's UEFA Champions League superbly.

Die Borussen had an important win over Ajax courtesy of a late Robert Lewandowski strike, while their marvellous performance at the Etihad should have been rewarded with three points.

Their slick passing will undo most defences in the competition, as it's not just a beleaguered, confused Manchester City back line that would fall victim to Jurgen Klopp's men.

If the Mats Hummels-Neven Subotic and Mario Gotze-Marco Reus partnerships stay together, this team can upset quite a few along the way.

Paris Saint-Germain

Many of us have become wiser when it comes to short-term impacts from big-spending clubs.

We know it takes time for things to settle, and spending £100 million does nothing to guarantee success.

But there's always a surprise or two in life, and who would be surprised if Zlatan Ibrahimovic led Paris Saint-Germain to the UEFA Champions League final?

They've already got world-class players in each position and, so long as they make it out of Group A, could be a force when the knock-out stages resume in February 2013.

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