UEFA Champions League: Power Ranking Every Team After Week 3

We're three weeks into the UEFA Champions League for this season, which means exactly halfway through the group stages of Europe's premier competition.

Already we've been stunned and surprised by the performances of certain teams—both those that are thriving and those that are spluttering—as the contenders begin to separate themselves from the pretenders in this year's tournament.

Who are the top sides in the Champions League this year and who should go back to concentrating on their domestic competitions? Read on to find a complete power ranking for all 32 teams including a prediction on their qualification aspirations.

You'll see that I've tried to incorporate both their performances in the tournament so far, as well as their likelihood of how they'll finish in the group.

Thus, someone like Porto—who hasn't dropped a point yet and top of their group—is higher than someone like Manchester City—who are yet to win the tournament—despite the fact that the Premier League champions are one of the top sides in the world.

Hopefully that will make itself clear as you read on. 

Think we got it wrong? Anyone who deserves to be higher or lower? Feel free to share your take on these Champions League power rankings in the comments below.

32. Lille

Current standings:

Fourth, Group F, zero points

Previous results:

Lost 3-1 to BATE Borisov (H), lost 2-0 to Valencia (A), lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Bayern Munich, away to BATE Borisov, home to Valencia

Comments:

Three teams in this group have six points and one team has none. That would be Lille, who simply don't look like mustering much of a challenge in their group this year. Could well be knocked out of the Champions League this year without a single point from the group stages.

31. Dinamo Zagreb

Current standings:

Fourth, Group A, zero points

Previous results:

Lost 2-0 to Porto (H), Lost 2-0 to Dynamo Kyiv (A), Lost 2-0 to Paris St. Germain (H).

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Paris St. Germain, away to Porto, home to Dynamo Kyiv

Comments:

Three games, three 2-0 losses—it really hasn't been a good tournament for the Croatian side, who have been simply bested by all three of their opponents.

They will not pick up a point away to PSG or Porto in their next two fixtures, meaning that their only hope to salvage something from the Champions League is a most-likely meaningless game against Dynamo Kyiv in the final round, but even then, I'm not sure they'll be able to get it done.

30. Montpellier

Current standings:

Fourth, Group B, one point

Previous results:

Lost to Arsenal (H), draw with Schalke (A), lost to Olympiacos (H).

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Olympiacos, away to Arsenal, home to Schalke

Comments:

Montpellier have had a drastic fall from grace since their French domestic league-winning season last year—struggling to get anything done in the Champions League this year other than throw away matches they had a chance at winning.

They have a good crop of players who are capable of earning points, but with wasteful finishing and poor defending, have allowed results against both Arsenal and Olympiacos to slip through their fingers—along with their chances at qualifying from this group.

At home, good teams don't squander the chances that Montpellier has done this tournament. That's probably why they're not considered a very good team.

29. Anderlecht

Current standings: 

Fourth, Group C, one point

Previous fixtures: 

Draw to AC Milan (A), loss to Malaga (H), loss to Zenit St. Petersburg (A).

Upcoming fixtures: 

Home to Zenit St. Petersburg, home to AC Milan, away to Malaga

Comments: 

It might seem a little harsh to have Anderlecht down this far, but the simple fact is that they're in a moderate group and are yet to pick up a win, or a goal for that matter, from their opening three games of the tournament.

Milan and Zenit will contest the final qualification spot with Malaga running away with the group—meaning that two home games against both of those clubs will prove difficult for the Belgian side, who simply haven't been good enough in the Champions League this year.

28. Galatasaray

Current standings:

Fourth, Group H, one point

Previous results:

Lost to Manchester United (A), lost to Braga (H), draw with CFR Cluj (H).

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to CFR Cluj, home to Manchester United, away to Braga

Comments:

Galatasaray were really quite good in their opening match against Manchester United at Old Trafford—threatening the home side and looking like a good team to watch this year. Their next two matches, however, haven't been as convincing.

The Turkish giants were simply outplayed by Braga at home, and with their only home game coming against a team that is considered one of the best attacking sides in world football, they'll be in for a tough fight to get off the bottom of Group H this year.

27. Nordsjaelland

Current standings:

Fourth, Group E, one point

Previous results:

Loss to Shakhtar Donetsk (A), loss to Chelsea (H), draw with Juventus (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Juventus, home to Shakhtar Donetsk, away to Chelsea

Comments:

I've been greatly impressed with the effort that Champions League newcomers Nordsjaelland have shown against what is probably the second-hardest group in this year's tournament.

They were good against Juventus—almost good enough to earn a win—and whilst they aren't good enough to be able to follow that performance in the return fixture, or any of their remaining fixtures for that matter, Nordsjaelland have been pleasant to watch this year.

Unfortunately, pleasant is not enough, however.

26. Benfica

Current standings:

Fourth, Group G, one point

Previous results:

Draw with Celtic (A), loss to Barcelona (H), loss to Spartak Moscow

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Spartak Moscow, home to Celtic, away to Barcelona

Comments:

The 26th spot might seem like a really harsh place to have Benfica through their opening three matches, but when you only manage to pick up a point against the likes of Celtic and Spartak Moscow without scoring a single goal, it's simply not good enough to compete this year.

The Portuguese club could pick up successive wins in their home matches, but they would still most likely need to earn at least a point against Barcelona at Camp Nou in the final week—a feat that doesn't quite seem likely from Benfica.

As far as talent goes, Benfica are a good club. As far as qualification chances go, well, that might have something to do with why they're in 26th.

25. Manchester City

Current standings:

Fourth, Group D, one point

Previous results:

Loss to Real Madrid (A), draw with Borussia Dortmund (H), loss to Ajax (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Ajax, home to Real Madrid, away to Borussia Dortmund

Comments:

First of all, everyone take a breath here. Are Manchester City the 25th best side in this year's Champions League? At the start of the tournament, the answer would have been a resounding no, with the statement that the reigning Premier League champions are better than nearly all of these teams when playing their best football.

And whilst they have been drawn in the hardest division known to man, City have shown us that against the top sides, they are not good enough. They are lucky to even have a single point at the halfway mark of the competition, and whilst I do think they'll pick up the win in their return fixture against Ajax, I can't see them winning anything more this tournament.

They will not be qualifying through to the group stages—confirming that they are not good enough, this year, for the UEFA Champions League. Good teams win; City simply haven't done that, and they tumble down the power rankings as a result.

24. Zenit St. Petersburg

Current standings:

Third, Group C, three points

Previous results:

Loss to Malaga (A), loss to AC Milan (H), win against Anderlecht (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Anderlecht, home to Malaga, away to AC Milan

Comments:

Zenit St. Petersburg might find themselves just one point off qualification to the knockout stage of the Champions League this year—and they may well qualify—but that in no way means that they are a decent football club that can win games down the stretch.

Zenit's biggest advantage being that they play in Russia and they seemed to have used that advantage up already—picking up just one win against a lowly Anderlecht outfit. They will struggle to win on the road to the Belgian side as well as AC Milan, and could well drop to Malaga when they come to town.

The present might seem good for Zenit—just one point off qualification—but the reality is something far different for the Russian club, who don't stand a chance of moving through to the knockout stages.

23. Dynamo Kyiv

Current standings:

Third, Group A, three points

Previous results:

Loss to Paris St. Germain (A), win against Dinamo Zagreb (H), loss to Porto (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Porto, home to Paris St. Germain, away to Dinamo Zagreb

Comments:

The biggest problem for Dynamo Kyiv is the fact they have two good teams in Porto and Paris St. Germain in their group, and they didn't manage to pick up a point in either of their away matches against both teams.

The Ukrainian side would need to win all three of their matches to progress through to the knockout stages, as well as relying on some other results to fall their way—something that just doesn't look likely.

They didn't get a ridiculously strong group to contend with, but it will prove to be too strong for them in this year's tournament.

22. Sporting Braga

Current standings:

Third, Group H, three points

Previous results:

Loss to CFR Cluj (H), win against Galatasaray (A), loss to Manchester United (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Manchester United, away to CFR Cluj, home to Galatasaray

Comments:

Sporting Braga have shown us this year that they can play good football, and could progress through from this group because of it.

Their last two fixtures in particular—despite squandering their lead against United—should hold them in good stead for their remanding three matches, which the Portuguese side could emerge from with four or more points to speak of.

They must earn at least a draw on the road to CFR Cluj if they stand any chance at qualifying; that's the match that will make or break their Champions League dreams.

21. Spartak Moscow

Current standings:

Third, Group G, three points

Previous results:

Lost to Barcelona (A), lost to Celtic (H), won against Benfica (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Benfica, home to Barcelona, away to Celtic

Comments:

Spartak Moscow have been there or thereabouts in all three matches so far this season, but they just haven't quite been able to finish them all off as they would have liked.

The advantage of playing in Russia isn't there for their return fixtures except against one of the best teams in world football, so that kind of cancels itself out, and suddenly they're left trying to earn wins on the road to Celtic and Benfica—which is no easy feat.

A good team, but just not quite at the level required to compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League—not yet, anyway.

20. Olympiacos

Current standings:

Third, Group B, three points

Previous results:

Loss to Schalke (H), loss to Arsenal (A), win against Montpellier (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Montpellier, away to Schalke, home to Arsenal

Comments:

You've got to wonder just how big that come-from-behind win against Montpellier will turn out to be for Olympiacos, who now find themselves just one win off a top-two spot in this group.

They'll most likely need to beat Arsenal at home in the final week if they are to progress, and hope that Schalke do the same to the North London club—which does seem like a bit of a stretch for the Greek club, despite their current momentum and self-belief.

Schalke, in particular, have been just too strong this year, and may well have dashed their qualification hopes in the process. Their football has been sound, but just not quite good enough to win.

19. Celtic

Current standings:

Second, Group G, four points

Previous results:

Draw against Benfica (H), win against Spartak Moscow (A), loss to Barcelona (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Barcelona, away to Benfica, home to Spartak Moscow

Comments:

Celtic very nearly pulled off the upset of the week in their match against Barcelona, but were simply outgunned in the final minutes by the better team on the night and surprisingly, gave the Scottish club their first loss of the Champions League so far.

Definitely flying under the radar due to their weak group, Celtic have a real chance at qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition, with their defensive focus bound to keep them in matches they otherwise would not have been.

Perhaps they're drawing some inspiration from Chelsea last year?

18. CFR Cluj

Current standings:

Second, Group H, four points

Previous results:

Win against Braga (A), loss to Manchester United (H), draw with Galatasaray (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Galatasaray, home to Braga, away to Manchester United

Comments:

CFR Cluj have stepped up in this group this year and have put themselves in a great position for the knockout stages in the process.

They were good against Manchester United, but more importantly, looked good in attack against Braga and solid in defense against Galatasaray—even with the intimidating road trip.

They now play both of those sides in Romania, where they feel comfortable, and could walk away with six points in the process—priming them for a top-two finish in this group.

Are CFR Cluj the outsiders that nobody is watching out for this year, and are they doing so at their own peril?

17. AC Milan

Current standings:

Second, Group C, four points

Previous results:

Draw with Anderlecht (H), win against Zenit St. Petersburg (A), loss to Malaga (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Malaga, away to Anderlecht, home to Zenit St. Petersburg

Comments:

They might be having a whole host of problems domestically in the Serie A, but AC Milan are proving that they can be a threat in the Champions League, with solid performances through their opening three games of the competition.

They've played the two toughest teams in this group away from home and have come away with a win and a one-goal loss, showing that they are on the right track to qualifying from this group.

If they can get a result against Malaga at home and topple Anderlecht away from home, you'd have to think that the Rossoneri could stick around longer in the Champions League than we had originally thought.

16. Ajax

Current standings:

Third, Group D, three points

Previous results:

Loss to Borussia Dortmund (A), loss to Real Madrid (H), win against Manchester City (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Manchester City, home to Borussia Dortmund, away to Real Madrid

Comments:

With a huge victory over Manchester City, Ajax have cemented their position in the Champions League this season, and whilst they may well finish up being eliminated in the group stage of the competition, at least they have showed some fight throughout.

They were unlucky not to pick up a draw against Dortmund—a fixture that they could surprise a few in when they meet again in Amsterdam later in the tournament—especially given their recent strong performance at home against City.

Ajax were seemingly the whipping boys in this incredibly strong division, but have proven to be far more than that and could actually be an outside chance at qualifying for the knockout stages. That's why they feature so high up this list, and in particular, so far ahead of Manchester City.

15. BATE Borisov

Current standings:

First, Group F, six points

Previous results:

Win against Lille (A), win against Bayern Munich (H), loss to Valencia (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Valencia, home to Lille, away to Bayern Munich

Comments:

The Belarussian side have surprised many with their strong performances so far in Group F, with their shock win over Bayern Munich the highlight of the tournament so far.

They are a good attacking side and are strong throughout midfield, though they appear to be in a real fight for qualification with both the German side and Valencia—who recently toppled BATE Borisov 3-0 in Belarus.

Their second half appears to be much stronger than their first, with away matches to Valencia and Bayern Munich, who will be desperate to make amends for their poor performance against the Belarussian side earlier in the competition.

Tough to see them progressing, but BATE Borisov have surprised a few people so far this year, and there's no reason why they can't do that again.

14. Arsenal

Current standings:

Second, Group B, six points

Previous results:

Win against Montpellier (A), win against Olympiacos (H), loss to Schalke (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Schalke, home to Montpellier, away to Olympiacos

Comments:

Make no mistake here, the North London Gunners are still one of the top sides in the Champions League this year and should qualify through to the knockout stage of the tournament given their opening two wins against Montpellier and Greek side Olympiacos.

Having said that, I don't think that Arsenal are anywhere near their best at the moment—largely due to injuries—and they will face two very tough matches in the next three fixtures on the road against both Schalke and Olympiacos.

If the Gunners fail to win either of those matches, which is a real possibility given their current performances and injury list, then they could theoretically head into the final week needing a win.

They would easily beat Montpellier and would be fine because of it, but the fact remains the same—Arsenal are nowhere near their best right now and are not one of the top sides in the Champions League.

Fully healthy? It's hard to say where they'd be, but right now, it's nowhere near the top.

13. Paris St. Germain

Current standings:

Second, Group A, six points

Previous results:

Win against Dynamo Kyiv (H), loss to Porto (A), win against Dinamo Zagreb (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Dinamo Zagreb, away to Dynamo Kyiv, home to Porto

Comments:

Carlo Ancelotti's Paris St. Germain are poised at an interesting stage in the Champions League, with there being a real possibility that they could sneak into the top spot of Group A with a win against Porto when the two sides meet in the final round.

Both Zagreb and Kyiv are not at the talent level of PSG, who are desperate to justify their incredulous summer spending with results in Europe's premier competition.

This is a team that could make some serious noise down the stretch with some good momentum under their belts. They seem to have shaken off their early-season struggles domestically, and look well poised to run deep into the Champions League this year.

12. Juventus

Current standings:

Third, Group E, three points

Previous results:

Draw with Chelsea (A), draw with Shakhtar Donetsk (H), draw with Nordsjaelland (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Nordsjaelland, home to Chelsea, away to Shakhtar Donetsk

Comments:

Juventus could probably be five spots higher or 10 spots lower depending on how you have interpreted their three draws to start to the Champions League this year.

The optimist will say that they haven't lost yet and have held Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge, picked up a draw against the hottest club in Europe right now and good a handy point away to an up-and-coming team in Europe.

They will say that with home games to Chelsea and Nordsjaelland, they are well-poised to pick up several points and make a run at qualification.

The pessimist, however, will say that they haven't won and almost dropped to lowly Nordsjaelland, and were lucky to earn draws against Donetsk and Chelsea.

They will point out that the Italian side haven't scored first in a match all tournament and despite being at home, will likely get beaten by a strong Chelsea side and won't be able to pull off the upset away from home to Donetsk.

Make up your own minds on Juventus.

11. Valencia

Current standings:

Third, Group F, six points

Previous results:

Loss to Bayern Munich (A), win against Lille (H), win against BATE Borisov (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to BATE Borisov, home to Bayern Munich, away to Lille

Comments:

Given the fact that they've played the two toughest teams in their Champions League group away from home and picked up a win as well, you'd have to suggest that Valencia are in a good position to progress through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

They are playing sound football at the back, and are getting good movement through midfield—shown in their recent 3-0 demolition of BATE Borisov, despite being away from home.

The La Liga giants are at home to both BATE and Bayern in their next two matches—a long trip for both clubs and one that they probably aren't too thrilled to have to make. Valencia are a sleeping giant at the moment for mine, and could well challenge for the top spot in this group.

If that happens, it truly will be game on for the Spanish club.

10. Bayern Munich

Current standings:

Second, Group F, six points

Previous results:

Won against Valencia (H), lost to BATE Borisov (A), won against Lille (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Lille, away to Valencia, home to BATE Borisov

Comments:

In light of the recent comments about Valencia's potency this year in the Champions League, it might seem bizarre to have Bayern Munich ahead of them—particularly when they got demolished by BATE and Valencia demolished BATE just this week.

But keep in mind the injuries and missing players that this team has at the moment, and the football that we know they can play when at their best. 

They will have home-ground advantage heading into their final match of the group stages against BATE Borisov, which should be enough to see them through to the knockout stages this year.

And like last year, we know that once Bayern are in those knockout rounds, they become a different team—a much more disciplined and razor-sharp attacking unit that can surprise any of Europe's top teams.

Will that happen again this year? Hard to tell at the moment. But the German giants are certainly in a good spot in the Champions League so far.

9. Schalke

Current standings:

First, Group B, seven points

Previous results:

Won against Olympiacos (A), draw with Montpellier (H), won against Arsenal (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Arsenal, home to Olympaicos, away to Montpellier

Comments:

Schalke just blew their cover as a contender in the Champions League with a strong win over Arsenal away from home, and looking at their schedule ahead, the German side are primed for a strong season across Europe.

They are at home to both of their group challengers in Olympiacos and Arsenal—teams that beat away already in the competition—and could very easily finish the group stages with 13 points and first place next to their name.

Schalke have been very strong in defense so far—something that is bound to increase further in the familiar environment of their home stadium. Definitely worth watching this team over the next three weeks, because you could be in for some very good football.

8. Chelsea

Current standings:

Second, Group E, four points

Previous results:

Draw with Juventus (H), win against Nordsjaelland (A), loss to Shakhtar Donetsk (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Shakhtar Donetsk, away to Juventus, home to Nordsjaelland

Comments:

Chelsea fans really shouldn't be worried with their team's performances through the opening three weeks of the Champions League despite the fact that the defending champions are just one point away from being outside of the top two in their group.

The West London club should have finished off against Juventus, and whilst that match will be a much tougher fixture being played in Italy next time, you get the feeling that the Blues could turn it on against Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge when they meet in two weeks' time.

The Ukrainian side were too good for the Premier League leaders this week, but with a deeply talented squad and the proven experience that they can go far in the Champions League, expect the Blues to bounce back strong over the remaining three weeks.

The elimination threat could well drive this team to success—something that we'll know much better when they've played Shakhtar at Stamford Bridge.

7. Porto

Current standings:

First, Group A, nine points

Previous results:

Won against Dinamo Zagreb (A), won against Paris St. Germain (H), won against Dynamo Kyiv (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Dynamo Kyiv, home to Dinamo Zagreb, away to Paris St. Germain

Comments:

Porto are the lowest ranked of the four undefeated teams left in the UEFA Champions League—largely because they haven't been that impressive and they aren't even a guarantee to win their group with Paris St. Germain chomping at their heels.

This is a side that has only managed one-goal victories over PSG and Dynamo Kyiv—the latter of which they almost threw away at several points in the match—despite having home-field advantage on both occasions. 

They are yet to face a decent side on the road, and whilst that might not happen until the final week, I'm not quite yet sold on Porto being one of the top teams in the Champions League.

They make it this high because, at the end of the day, they have three wins from three matches, but I'm not completely sold on the Portuguese club being a genuine contender.

Not just yet.

6. Real Madrid

Current standings:

Second, Group D, six points

Previous results:

Won against Manchester City (H), won against Ajax (A), lost to Borussia Dortmund (A)

Upcoming fixtures:

Home to Borussia Dortmund, away to Manchester City, home to Ajax

Comments:

There is little doubting Jose Mourinho's men as a genuine contender in the Champions League this year, but they did hit a little bit of a rough patch with their recent loss to Borussia Dortmund—especially considering that they only managed two real attacking chances throughout the match.

Madrid will have home-field advantage when they take on Dortmund in the return fixture, and will most likely go back to the top of the table with a win. But with a tough away trip to Manchester City—who most likely need to win to stay alive—life might not all be easy for Madrid.

A couple of injuries to speak of for the Spanish club has them delicately poised at the halfway mark of the group stages. We know that they're a talented side and one of the best teams in world football; they just need to prove it now on the biggest stage possible.

5. Manchester United

Current standings:

First, Group H, nine points

Previous results:

Won against Galatasaray (H), won against CRF Cluj (A), won against Sporting Braga (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Sporting Braga, away to Galatasaray, home to CFR Cluj

Comments:

Breaking into the top five here is Manchester United and yes, that does mean that I just put the Red Devils ahead of Real Madrid on my power rankings.

First off, this is an undefeated team. It's been against weak division and it's been in incredibly unconvincing fashion, but with three wins from three matches, there isn't a whole lot more that Manchester United could have done in the group stages to date.

But secondly, and perhaps most importantly, this is a side currently crippled by injuries and in the middle of a formation transition. They are without several defensive players—Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling—as well as attacking options in Ashley Young.

They have won three games without these players; imagine what they could do once they return to the lineup. United will qualify first from this group and I'd argue, haven't even begun to show what they are capable of achieving in the Champions League this season.

4. Shakhtar Donetsk

Current standings:

First, Group E, seven points

Previous results:

Won against Nordsjaelland (H), draw against Juventus (A), won against Chelsea (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Chelsea, away to Nordsjaelland, home to Juventus

Comments:

There is little doubt that Shakhtar Donetsk are one of the hottest clubs in world football—riding a wave of good form and continual results—and are rightly placed high in the Champions League power rankings because of it.

The Ukrainian side's dominance of Chelsea was just the latest example of their talented midfield dominating their opponents—regardless of the players it possesses—and look primed for a good run in the latter stages of the competition this year.

They might not hold the top spot by the end of the group stages, for Chelsea might have claimed that back from them depending on how they fare in the return fixture. But still, Shakhtar are a very good football team and a club that has a lot of self-belief and momentum at the moment.

Two of the hardest things to contain.

3. Barcelona

Current standings:

First place, Group G, nine points

Previous results:

Won against Spartak Moscow (H), won against Benfica (A), won against Celtic (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Celtic, away to Spartak Moscow, home to Benfica

Comments:

Right now, Barcelona are not the best team in the Champions League. They are undefeated through their opening three matches and streaking clear atop their group, but they are not the best team currently in the competition.

They have struggled at home against lowly sides such as Spartak Moscow and Celtic—perhaps fortunate to have won either of those matches, let alone both.

Barcelona have the talent to score goals, but with their opponents dropping so many back into defense and in the box, they are finding it tougher to do in the group stages this year than many expected.

Having said all of that, Barcelona's talent needs no explaining nor justifying. They are arguably the best team on the planet and have been there or thereabouts for the last five years—so expect them to challenge once more for the Champions League title.

But right now, they are not the best. No way.

2. Malaga

Current standings:

First, Group C, nine points

Previous results:

Won against Zenit St. Petersburg (H), won against Anderlecht (A), won against AC Milan (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to AC Milan, away to Zenit St. Petersburg, home to Anderlecht

Comments:

Many will want to have seen Malaga as the No. 1 on this list, but despite their perfect record and the fact they are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League, they just don't quite make it to the top of this list.

They aren't in the strongest of divisions for starters, and have played the two harder games on their schedule at home so far. Let them travel to Russia against Zenit and to Italy against Milan before declaring them the favorites and best team in the competition.

But for the opening three weeks of the Champions League, there have been few more impressive performances than that of Malaga.

In fact, there has only been one...

1. Borussia Dortmund

Current standings:

First, Group D, seven points

Previous results:

Won against Ajax (H), draw with Manchester City (A), won against Real Madrid (H)

Upcoming fixtures:

Away to Real Madrid, away to Ajax, home to Manchester City

Comments:

Borussia Dortmund are currently the best team in the Champions League—earning the top spot on our power rankings—and not just because of their recent win against Real Madrid, though that certainly did help their cause.

The reigning German champions have arguably the most potent attack in the league this year and are simply brutal on the counter-attack—disposing of any defensive lapses or mistakes that their opponents may make throughout the match.

They were robbed against Manchester City, and have won both their other matches against reigning champions of their respective leagues. Dortmund are proving themselves against the world's best, and are doing everything they can to post themselves as the team to look out for in the Champions League right now.

Away to Real Madrid and Ajax are both challenging fixtures, but given the way they played at the Etihad Stadium and against Los Blancos this week, the German giants should hold their own comfortably and could even continue their winning ways.

Definitely the team to look out for this year and definitely, the best team in the UEFA Champions League right now.

Agree? Disagree? Too high? Too low? Anything?

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