STAR ANTE-POST PREVIEW: Champions League 2026/27

Europe’s greatest club competition returns with the league phase starting this week, writes JOE CITRONE.

Will PSG win a third straight title? Can Arsenal recover from losing the final in May? Are there any possible dark horses?

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

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Past Winners:

2025-26: Paris Saint-Germain
2024-25: Paris Saint-Germain
2023-24: Real Madrid
2022-23: Manchester City
2021-22: Real Madrid
2020-21: Chelsea
2019-20: Bayern Munich
2018-19: Liverpool
2017-18: Real Madrid
2016-17: Real Madrid

Past Golden Boot Winners:

2025-26: Kylian Mbappe (13 goals)
2024-25: Serhou Guirassy & Raphinha (13 goals each)
2023-24: Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane (8 goals each)
2022-23: Erling Haaland (12 goals)

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PSG go into the new campaign chasing an unprecedented third straight European crown, and their pedigree under Luis Enrique demands respect at the head of the market. The Parisians ground out another final victory on penalties in Budapest, with Ousmane Dembele’s rise to Ballon d’Or winner underlining the strength in depth Luis Enrique now has at his disposal, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Vitinha give them arguably the most dangerous front line left in the competition. Backing three-in-a-row is a well-worn trap in this event, though.

That’s precisely where Arsenal’s case begins. Arteta’s side topped last season’s 36-team league phase with a flawless record, saw off Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain themselves en route to the final, and were within a whisker of glory before Gabriel’s late spot-kick miss. A draw featuring Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is no gift, but Arsenal have already shown they fear nobody home or away in this competition, and the case for backing them to go one better than last season is a compelling one at the prices.

Bayern Munich were priced similarly to Arsenal in the ante-post market and Vincent Kompany’s side remain relentlessly consistent, with Harry Kane’s remarkable goalscoring form last term seeing him crowned the continent’s outstanding marksman. The German giants haven’t lifted the trophy since 2020, but their squad strength and pressing intensity make them a threat to anyone, even if their away form in the toughest fixtures has occasionally let them down at the business end.

Barcelona and Manchester City also sit among the front-runners in the Star Sports ante-post market. Barcelona have a young core in Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Pedri that continues to develop and a return to a rejuvenated Camp Nou should give them a lift, though defensive fragility cost them dearly in the closing stages last term and remains their obvious vulnerability. City, meanwhile, always have to be respected, but are going through a transitional phase after the departure of Pep Guardiola.

Jose Mourinho is back at Real Madrid, and will be after his first Champions League triumph in 16 years. Naturally, Madrid have world-class quality in their squad, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe two of the best players in the world in their respective positions. They will always be a threat in this competition, but it’s not yet all clicked for them, and Mourinho isn’t the manager that he once was.

Arsenal to go one better than last season and finally get their hands on the biggest prize in club football looks the standout ante-post play for me, though, at 11/2 with starsports.bet.

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