Who Will Claim European Glory? The Remaining Teams' Chances of the UEFA Title
The group stages have weeded out the weaker opposition and left us with the 16 elite European clubs of the 2010/2011 season who all have one common goal: to become the UEFA Champions League winners and claim European supremacy.
Can Barcelona regain the title from Inter, or will bitter arch rivals Madrid lift the trophy?
Will the trophy find its ways back to England territory?
No one really knows, but here are the odds for the remaining Round of 16 clubs.
16. F.C. København 300/1
1 of 16
TEAM
F.C. Copenhagen are one of the most successful clubs in the Danish Superliga. It is ranked 38th in the European UEFA club rankings, making it the highest placed Scandinavian team. Domestically Copenhagen has claimed eight Danish Superliga championships, four Danish cup trophies, and the Scandinavian Royal League twice.
In the 2006-2007 season, Byens Hold, or The City's Team, as they are known at home, qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in team history. And currently in the 2010-2011 Champions League, they became the first Danish club ever to reach the Round of 16 knockout stage.
Selected into Group D, they were set to face Panathinaikos, Rubin Kazan, and powerhouse Barcelona. They impressively notched 10 points with three victories, a draw, and two losses while finishing with a +2 goal differential.
It would be the truest form of a "Cinderella story" to see Copenhagen achieve a top European status, but in all truthfulness, they'll be lucky to even beat their first tough English opposition Chelsea.
Odds of winning Champions League: 300 to 1.
Upcoming UCL Fixtures:
22 February 2011, Chelsea
16 March 2011, @Chelsea
15. Olympique De Marseille 200/1
2 of 16
TEAM
Olympique de Marseille are based in France and play football in Ligue 1. They have claimed the Ligue 1 title nine times, Coupe de France a record 10 times and became the first and only club to with the UEFA Champions League in 1993. After a long drought they finally reclaimed a league title in 2010 under Didier Deschamps, who was also Marseille's skipper during the 1993 Champions League campaign.
After winning the Ligue 1 in 2009/2010, Marseille got chosen to be in Group F alongside Zilina, Spartak Moscow, and one of the tournament favorites Chelsea. After losing their first two games against Sparak Moscow and Chelsea, Olympique de Marseille recovered well and won their four remaining games to finish with 12 points in the overall standing, second behind Chelsea.
Although Marseille have had success in France, they aren't quite yet ready for European greatness. Now they'll have to face another English opposition and winners of Group C, Manchester United. If they do reckon a victory against Man U, can they reap glory? I disagree because the deeper you go, they harder it is.
Odds of winning Champions League; 200 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches
23 February 2011, Manchester United
15 March 2011, @ Manchester United
14. F.C. Shakhtar Donetsk 180/1
3 of 16
TEAM
FC Shakhtar Donetsk are a Ukrainian team who have had a lot of domestic success, winning five Ukrainian Championships, six Ukrainian Cups, and three Ukrainian Supercups. They also had a hugely successful European campaign in 2009 when they raised to Copa Europa against Werder Bremen.
Coming in first place out of Group H surpassing Partizan, Braga, and Arsenal, they had a successful run winning five of their six games, only losing to Arsenal. They were expected to make a run to pass the group stages but surpassed expectations with beating out Arsenal for the top spot. Four of their five victories were shutouts.
Fortunately for them, finishing first in the group means facing Roma instead of Barcelona, but still making them a long shot in lifting the Champions League cup. If the defense holds up as it did earlier in the competition, they can give Roma a run for their money, but no promises.
Odd for winning the Champions League: 180 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
16 February 2011 @Roma
8 March 2011 Roma
13. Olympique Lyonnias 170/1
4 of 16
TEAM
Olympique Lyonnais, better known as just Lyon, is a team playing in Ligue 1 in France. They won their first Ligue 1 Title in 2002 and won seven consecutive titles, a French football record. The also have a record seven Trophee des Champions, four Coupe de France titles, and three Ligue 2 Championships.
They have made an appearance into the Champions League 11 times and reached the semifinals in the 2009-2010 season after three consecutive quarterfinal appearances.
Lyon was chosen to Group B, putting them against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Benfica, and Schalke 04. They finished second in the group, three points behind Schalke. They notched 10 points with three victories, a draw, and two defeats with a goal differential of +1. Lyon will face a Spanish giant starving for European glory: Real Madrid. A tough game out of the group stages, making them heavy underdogs to reach to Elite Eight.
Odds of winning Champions League: 170 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches
22 February 2011 Real Madrid
16 March 2011 @Real Madrid
12. F.C. Schalke 04 150/1
5 of 16
Team
FC Schalke 04 is one of the most popular and liked football clubs in Germany's Bundesliga. They haven't earned a league title since 1958 and came closest in 2010 being runners up. They've had European silverware in 1997 after defeating Inter Milan is penalty's for the UEFA Cup.
Domestically, they've struggled all season, leaving them in 10th halfway through the season, although in European competition, it has been a different case. Schalke beat out Lyon to win Group B and left Benfica and Tel Aviv for elimination by compiling 13 points with an impressive four victories, a draw and a loss.
They advance into the Final 16 to face Valencia. Although it is evenly matched, Valencia seem to have better football these days. I can't help but think if Schalke doesn't have a quick turnaround, they'll be out.
Odd of winning Champions League: 150 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches
15 February 2011 @Valencia
9 MArch 2011 Valencia
11. Valencia C.F. 125/1
6 of 16
TEAM
Valencia C.F. is considered La Liga's 'number 3', overshadowed by Barcelona and Real Madrid's success. They are very successful in domestic and European competitions year in and year out. They have claimed six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fair Cups (predecessor of UEFA Cup), one UEFA Cup and three UEFA Supercups. They made a final in European competition seven times in team history and came out victorious four of them.
Los Che were matched up against Rangers, Bursapor and Manchester United in Group C. They by far had the best goal differential with +11, tying Barcelona for second best in the Champions League. They won three of their matches, drew two of them and lost only one. They played well at home and had some inconsistent away form. If they want to have success further on, they'll need to improve in their away games.
Valencia will face Schalke 04 in the Round of 16 knockout phase and will need an early away goal in the second leg to prove worthy of passing. This match is probably the most evenly compatible of all the eight. Although domestically Schalke is struggling in the middle of the table, they will come ready to play versus Valencia. Let's hope Roberto Soldado can add to his already impressive six goals.
Odds of winning the Champions League: 125/1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
15 February 2011 Schalke 04
9 March 2011 @ Schalke 04
10. A.S. Roma 100/1
7 of 16
TEAM
Roma has graced Serie A for 59 consecutive years and have claimed the title three times and once as recently as 2000-2001. They have also won nine Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. In Europe, they have had little success, claiming the UEFA Cup in 1960 and coming close in 1984 but losing to Liverpool.
This time around, Roma got drafted in Group E to duel Basel, CFR Cluj and Bayern Munich. They finished five points behind Bayern and won three of their games, lost twice and tied once. They've had a good campaign this year in Italy and seem Europe ready at the moment.
If they can get their attack established early, they will ease into the next round facing Shakhtar. Although Shakhtar have had a good European run, Roma have the team to make it into the final eight.
Odds of winning Champions League: 100/1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
16 February 2011 Shakhtar
8 March 2011 @Shakhtar
9. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 90/1
8 of 16
Team
Tottenham have proved that they can hang with the best in the Premiership, but now it's time to prove they can hang with the best in Europe. The Spurs have had a good amount of success domestically and abroad. They have clinched the UEFA Cup two times in 1972 and 1984.
Tottenham comfortably sit in fourth place in the English Premier League at the moment and were selected into Group A, where they finished in first place ahead of Inter Milan, Twente, and Werder Bremen. They currently have two players among the leading scorers of the tournament in Gareth Bale and Peter Crouch, who they will need fit and healthy in order to advance.
As if making a trip to the San Siro this Champions League campaign wasn't enough already, they were drew to play Milan. Tottenham will need a healthy squad and tough defense, along with their young wingers' speed, to surpass the Italian standings leaders. Slight underdogs in the Round of 16 will help them gain confidence if they can leave the knockout phase with a win, and who knows how far they can go?
Odds of winning Champions League: 90 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
15 February 2011, @ Milan
9 March 2011, Milan
8. A.C. Milan 80/1
9 of 16
TEAM
AC Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world and have spent most of their top flight football in the Serie A. They have won 18 official UEFA and FIFA international titles and remain tied with Argentinian Boca Juniors. Milan has won the Cup and Champions League a combined seven times and the UEFA Super Cup five times.
No strangers to winning, they are 17-time Serie A champions and on track for an 18th. They also triumphed in the Coppa de Italia five times and Supercoppa Italiana five times. Milan were in arguably the best overall group of the Champions league this year and stumbled out with a measly eight points. Recording two victories, two draws, and two losses, they faced Real Madrid, Auxerre, and Ajax.
Out of the groups, they will have the ever so dangerous Tottenham. They need to keep out of card trouble and play smart counter attack against the young Spurs team. Although they are the favorites to pass this round, Tottenham want to make an example of them and will come ready to play. Ibrahimovic has four goals in six games and will need to keep his good form to lead Milan to the final eight.
Odds on winning the Champions League: 80/1
Upcoming UCL Matches
15 February 2011 Tottenham
8 March 2011 @ Tottenham
7. Arsenal F.C. 75/1
10 of 16
TEAM
Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in English football. They have earned 13 Premier League Titles and 10 FA Cups. They are the only English club to have completed a Premier League season unbeaten. In 2006, they reached the Champions League Final but came up short to Barcelona. With limited success abroad, Arsenal will look to pick up what they started in 2006 and reach the finale once again.
They had a rocky start to the European Campaign, finishing second in Group H to Ukrainian Shakhtar. They comfortably finished ahead of Braga and Partizan and got 12 points, winning four games and losing. The good news of passing the group is anyone can win and anything can happen, but they were matched against Barcelona.
There is no doubt that the Gunners can hang with the best of them and will give Barcelona a run for their money, but they will need a near perfect game at home in the Emirates and try not to concede an away goal. If they can manage that, they have a way bigger chance.
Odds of winning Champions League: 75 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches
16 February 2011 Barcelona
8 March 2011 @Barcelona
6. F.C. Internazionale Milano 50/1
11 of 16
TEAM:
Defending European Champions are no strangers to success and winning. They are the champions of Italy five years running and current World Champions as well. They have 29 national titles, including 18 Serie A, six Italian Cups and five Italian Super Cups. After winning back to back European Cups in the '60's, they finally reclaimed Champions League glory under Jose Mourinho in 2010 defeating Bayern Munich.
This year under Rafa Benitez, they have struggled in the Serie A and had a fairly unimpressive group showing for being the reigning champs. Finishing a point behind Tottenham, they only accomplished to get 10 points, winning three games, tying one and losing two. Their striker Samuel Eto'o leads all competition with seven goals in six games.
Interestingly enough, their finish in the group rematches them in a game against Bayern Munich, who will seek revenge on the Italian giants. This could be one of the most interesting series of the entire tournament and will come down to who has better defense.
Odds on winning World Cup: 50/1
Upcoming UCL Matches
23 February 2011 Bayern
15 March 2011 @Bayern
5. F.C. Bayern Munich 50/1
12 of 16
Team:
Bayern Munich are runners up of last year's competition and sit third in Bundesliga standings this year. They are a landslide most successful club in Germany, having won 22 Bundesliga titles and 15 German Cups. They are four time Champions League winners as well as two time Intercontinental Cup winners. They have displayed great success throughout the history of the club.
This campaign, they had a breeze through the group stages, finishing in first place by five points. They battled Roma, Basel, and CFR Cluj and won five of their six matches, only slipping up once and falling to Roma in Italy.
After completing several successful games domestically and abroad, they will face a rematch of last year's finale against Inter Milan. Shall Bayern avenge last years defeat and send Inter packing home early? Or will they crumble under pressure and let Samuel Eto'o have his way?
Odd on winning Champions League: 50 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
23 February 2011 @Inter
15 March 2011 Inter
4. Chelsea F.C. 25/1
13 of 16
TEAM:
Chelsea are Premier League Champions and looking to further their success to Europe. They've been crowned Premier League champs four times and FA Cup winner six times as well as winning the League Cup four times. They've had relative success in Europe winning the UEFA Winners Cup twice, but look to avenge the loss in the final to Manchester United in 2008.
With good form in the Premiership and Champions League, it leaves them as a favorite to win the competition. Rocking out of Group F, they finished in a clear first place position while overtaking Marseille, Spartak Moscow and Zilina. They only stumbled once with winning five of their six matches and achieving a +10 goal differential. Nicolas Anelka has gotten five goals in just as many appearances and looks to lead the Chelsea attack in the Round of 16.
With FC Copenhagen in the way of the next round, Chelsea have a heavy favorite tag on them. Sometimes it can be a curse and others a blessing. They will need to come out and play their game and will make it extremely far as they look to best those 2008 finals loss memories.
Odd of winning Champions League: 25/1
Upcoming Matches:
22 February 2011 @Copenhagen
16 March 2011 Copenhagen
3. Manchester United F.C. 20/1
14 of 16
TEAM:
Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in the world. They have 18 league titles, four league cups and record 11 FA Cups. They have also claimed three Champions Leagues Cups in their history and two UEFA Supercups.
Manchester currently sits atop the Premiership and were unbeaten in the Group C matches versus Valencia, Rangers and Bursaspor. They won four of their matches and tied two. Sir Alex Ferguson has the Red Devils as hot as ever and will make a big case for contending for the cup this year.
Marseille is the next opponent trying to get in the way of their fourth title, but if Manchester United play as they normally do, they have no problem surpassing the Round of 16 and going extremely far in the competition. With the final being played in London, what better venue than home to win again?
Odd of winning the Champions League: 20 to 1
Upcoming Matches
23 February 2011 @Marseille
15 March 2011 Marseille
2. Real Madrid F.C. 10/1
15 of 16
TEAM:
Real Madrid have been "underachievers" in recent years. With fantastic squads, they should be in the finals or winning them every year, but this year they have something different: Jose Mourinho. The coach is a tactical genius and will help the case for Los Blacos to reach Champions League glory.
They are second in La Liga behind Barcelona and finished the group stages with an impressive +13 goal differential and tallying five wins and one draw. One of the hottest teams in the opening stages of the season have a lot to prove with the fire power of Ronaldo, Kaka, and Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid's next opponent is Lyon. They had success in France already this year, beating Auxerre at home. Jose Mourinho and Company must carry the Bernabeu expectations with them into both games, which isn't an easy task, but they will certainly show they are one of the world's best teams in this competition.
Odds of Winning Champions League: 10 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
22 February 2011 @Marseille
16 March 2011 Marseille
1. F.C. Barcelona 5/1
16 of 16
Team:
Barcelona have proved to be the best club in the world in recent years. They are the most successful club in Spanish football in terms of trophies, winning 24 La Liga titles, 25 Spanish cups, and nine Spanish Super Cups, also being crowned with 10 UEFA competitions championships.
Barcelona sit atop of La Liga currently and won their Group D opponents with ease by notching four wins and two draws against Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan, and Panathinaikos. Superstar Lionel Messi has six goals in the competition and will look to move Barcelona against a tough challenge Arsenal.
Barcelona and Arsenal will have an exciting attacking game of football during both legs, and we can expect a lot of goals and chances. Winner of this match will be a serious contender for the title, but there is no denying that Barcelona are clear favorites.
Odd on winning Champions League: 5 to 1
Upcoming UCL Matches:
16 February 2011 @ Arsenal
8 March 2011 Arsenal
