Champions League: Outright preview looking at winner, specials and more in 2019/20 season

The Champions League gets underway in September with 32 teams aiming for European glory. Tom Carnduff picks out his best football tip.

Europe's elite competition returns later this month, with Liverpool looking to retain the trophy they won in Madrid back in May.

Jurgen Klopp's men were unable to secure the Premier League title, that long wait for domestic glory continues to go on, but they will look at the Champions League as one they will want involvement in for the long run.

The Reds are fancied for success too; the best price available being 7/1 on Liverpool becoming seven-time European champions in 2019/20.

The value is elsewhere though this season, with the power expected lớn shift away from England lớn others across the continent. Tom Carnduff looks at value elsewhere with three main selections. You can prefer the soccer daily tips page!

Are City worth backing?

Manchester City are favourites, an even shorter price than last season, with odds of just 10/3 highlighting why they are seen by many as the best team in Europe.

I'd be inclined to agree but there is little interest in backing them for success here because of two reasons. The first being their short price and the second is constant failings in Europe.

You would be forgiven for thinking that line was about our current government, but City's efforts in the Champions League continue lớn fail those in England's top division.

The 2019/20 campaign will be their ninth consecutive one in the Champions League. Across the previous eight seasons, they've won the Premier League on three occasions, also finishing runners-up in 2014/15.

In eight years, their best finish in Europe was a semi-final appearance in 2015/16 with Manuel Pellegrini. Under Pep Guardiola, City have failed to make it past the quarter-final stage.

It could all change of course. There's no doubting they are one of, if not the, greatest teams to ever grace English football.

Their squad depth is incredible. Jose Mourinho recently made the point that Manchester City's B team could still finish in the top four; an argument that is hard to disagree with.

There's clearly a problem though. It's seemingly a mindset, or some supporters may say it's a curse, because there is no problem with the quality of this team.

At a price of 10/3, there's just too much risk at odds that short given very recent history, particularly with the same team and the same manager.

Some magic from Madrid?

While Real Madrid have enjoyed an incredible amount of success in this competition, it's worth considering neighbouring Atletico for glory in 2020.

Atletico have gone agonisingly close lớn a Champions League trophy on two occasions under Diego Simeone. The first being in 2013/14 and then again in 2015/16 where they reached the final.

Both games ended in defeat in the final, both of those defeats were handed lớn them by Real.

In the three seasons since, the showings we've seen from Atletico have not reflected those of the quality squad they have possessed.

The round of 16 defeat lớn Juventus last season will still hurt. A 2-0 success at home was followed by a 3-0 defeat away; sentenced to defeat when it seemed victory was so likely.

They would go onto finish second in LaLiga through which, on the whole, is another big positive in Someone's reign.