Who will win the UWCL?

The UEFA women's champions league will be back soon but are fans excited to witness another great season of scintillating football? I know many that will be. Women's football has seen a great rise in the last year and it’s no surprise to see that the 3 matches with the highest attendance in Europe this year is from women's football. Barcelona vs Wolfsburg, Barcelona vs Real Madrid both in the champions league and England vs Germany from the just concluded Euros final.

Football is a game where the underdogs sometimes pull an upset but more often than not, the giants trample on the weak. The list of favourite teams won’t be so different from the previous year’s, looking at the transfers made I think the big teams in Europe are still going to be dominant this season again. 

1. Lyon

The same way Real Madrid are always the number favourite to win the UCL, Lyon will always be the favourite to win the UWCL. They showed their dominant self in the last UWCL final, reaffirming their stand as the queens of Europe in the process. They’ve got the experience, the players, the structure and the coach. They are miles ahead of other teams in Europe.

2. PSG

The second on the list will be another team from France. PSG gave Lyon a tough time in the semi-final last season, and in the same way PSG's male team’s biggest transfer is keeping Mbappe, the women’s team's biggest transfer is keeping Katoko. I see them going far.

3. Barcelona

Last season's finalist, the previous winner and the team with the current best player in the world. They are breaking records after records in the league with their exciting crop of players, but Alexia Putellas Injury might be a big problem for them in Europe. How far they will go will be dependent on how Aitana Bonmati and co rise to the occasion. Their reinforcement like Lucy bronze will also be important.

4. Wolfsburg

The first team to hand Jonathan’s Barcelona a defeat, they set the tempo and showed the world that Barcelona can be defeated. They’ve some exciting young players. The champions of Germany can create an upset this season.

5. Real Madrid & Juventus

Though they are still playing second fiddle to Barcelona, Real Madrid showed signs of things to come when they played the first league of their semi-final match against Barcelona. With the new players they bring in, they might not take the league from Barcelona but they will surely put up a good fight.

Juventus also have an equal chance of winning the tournament.

6. Bayern & Chelsea

I’m putting two teams together in the 6th position because I believe both have the same potential, though Bayern went farther than Chelsea last season I think with the players Chelsea has and the confidence in their camp now, they stand as much chance as Bayern. Getting out of the competition in the group stage was a surprise last year, but a team that has Sam Kerr shouldn’t be overlooked.

7. Arsenal

One thing about the English team is that they play in a league with much attention and with the recent triumph England had at the Euros, teams like Arsenal with players in the national team will be expected to do well. Beth Mead who was the player of the tournament plays for them.

8. Man City

They sold one of their best player Lucy bronze to Barca and also got a good replacement from Barca Leila. After Chelsea, I see them as the most competitive team in the WSL. They might not win the UWCL but they will surely make their mark.

Conclusion

As I said early football is unpredictable and upsets are part of the game. In the case of the UWCL, the chances of an underdog winning the league is 2% because of the great gulf in class between these teams. However, 2% is still a lot so anything can happen. So fasten your seatmate and prepare for a wonderful ride in the UWCL.

 Lead image from DAZN

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