Bayern Munich can pose a Champions League threat

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Bayern Munich can pose a Champions League threat

We may have only had one round of Champions League matches this season, but already we have learned quite a bit about who will pose a threat to Barcelona in the battle to be crowned Europe's best and who may flop in the group stages.

There are likely to be many of the same names in the latter stages but, as always, there could be surprises among the way and the defending champions offered some hope to the others by slipping up on matchday one.

A 2-2 home draw with AC Milan was not in the script at the Nou Camp, but despite the slip up, Pepe Guardiola's men are still strong favourites to get out of Group H and will surely reach at least the last-four again. The Champions League betting still makes them favourites.

With this season's showpiece hosted at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich will be more desperate than ever to reach the finals and signalled their intent with an impressive win at Villarreal. In Franck Ribbery and Arjen Robben, Bayern have the best wingers in the tournament and their threat out wide will cause any defence problems. Josef Heynckes' men are odds-on to be the best German team in the tournament and, if they keep key players fit, have the capabilities to make the semis.

The English threat looks to be two-fold this term, with Manchester United and Chelsea looking serious contenders. Andre Villas Boas may not have much managerial experience, but previous success in the Europa League will surely see Chelsea as a bigger threat in Europe than in their domestic league and anyone looking at the Betfair football odds should remember this.

Meanwhile, United will believe that they can go one better this season after suffering final disappointment in 2011 against Barca. The Premier League champions will have little problem reaching the knockout stages and their massive attacking threat makes them a good bet in any goals market. With Ferdinand and Vidic still struggling for fitness though, defensive inexperience at the top level will be a concern for those backing Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Even though they reached the last four in 2010-11, Real Madrid will undoubtedly pose a bigger threat this term and with Jose Mourinho's outstanding European record – everything points to at least one Spanish team making the final.

If, as expected, Inter, Manchester City, Milan, Lyon and Arsenal all make it through their respective groups, all five could spring an upset by knocking out one of the more fancied teams in a two-legged affair. None of the quintet are, at this stage, good enough to go all the way, but can cause punters some concern in the knockout rounds.