How the Champions League Will Look in 2010-11

With the 2009-10 version of the UEFA Champions League coming to a close at the Bernabeu with Inter defeating Bayern Munich 2-0, here is a look at who could be the top contenders in next season's version of the UCL.

Twenty-two teams have automatically qualified for the group stage

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Inter, Roma, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Schalke, Marseille, Lyon, Bursaspor, Rangers, Rubin Kazan, Spartak Moscow, Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Twente, CFR Cluj, Benfica, Panathinaikos.

Joining these 22 will be ten teams from the playoff round.

In the playoff round, there is a group for champions and non-champions.

Out of the champions playoff round, there are endless possibilities and most likely none of those five teams will even make the Europa League out of third place in the group.

The round to watch is the non-champions playoff round, which contains Tottenham, Sevilla, Auxerre, Werder Bremen, and Sampdoria,

These five will have to face tough opponents from a group of 10 teams that includes Zenit, Celtic, Ajax, Braga, Fenerbahce, Dinamo Kiev, Unirea Urziceni, PAOK, Young Boys, and Gent.

Confused yet? I know I am.

So, the main question is...Who are the main contenders to lift the trophy at Wembley?

That answer is Real Madrid because of one man—Jose Mourinho. Granted, he will have to deal with egos far worse than those he had at Chelsea and Inter, but he is "The Special One" and will no doubt become the first manager to win three UCL titles with three teams.

The other teams there to fight Mourinho's Madrid will be the mainstays of the competition, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter, and AC Milan.

But, if you are a true fan of Spanish football, an El Clasico matchup in the final is the dream final, especially if Mourinho takes over Madrid.