Yes, we know that the Champions league for 2016 hasn’t even been played yet and the next champions league final is a little over a year away but oh well. Spoiler, Either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid are going to win! If your so inclined you can read our San Siro stadium guide where the final will take place or check out William Hill UEFA Champions League betting odds to see who you think will win or lose. What’s even more interesting is to look to the future and try and predict who will be in the 2017 final, and which big clubs won’t make it out of the group stages.
Our Prediction – Juventus v Barcelona 2017 Champions League Final
Case for Barcelona reaching the final
MSN – The trio that sends shivers down the spine of Spanish defenders!
The 2016 season has been very successful for Barcelona winning let another Spanish League title. But by Barcelona’s standards it has been a disappointment due to being eliminated in the quarter-finals to their league rivals Atletico Madrid. With the tremendous power of Messi, Suarez and Neymar up front fans will be looking at the midfield and defence to greatly improve next season if Barcelona is to win the Champions league. Whether this comes in the form of the current crop of youngsters from La Masia improving or whether Barcelona dip into their bank account to buy some talent from the rest of the world, I would be very surprised if Barcelona didn’t improve dramatically next season and even win the Spanish Treble, let alone the champions league!
Case for Juventus reaching the final
The two Paulis : Pauli Pogba and Pauli Dybala
But saying Barcelona will get to the champions league final isn’t that radical, after all they have Lionel Messi in their team! But more of a left field prediction is Juventus who would have to beat teams like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG. But just 2 seasons ago it was a Juventus Barcelona final which nobody predicted. Juventus lost a few key players such as Vidal, Pirlo and Tevez but still have more than enough superstars. In particular Gigi Buffon who like a fine Italian wine, gets better with age, Paul Pogba, according to Rio Ferdinand destined to be the greatest midfield in the world and Paulo Dybala – Messi’s heir apparent.
Another Prediction – Arsenal and Roma not to make it out of the group stages
Case for Arsenal not leaving group stage
There There Jack Wilshere… One day you will move to Man City and actually win a league title!
Congratulations for Arsenal on qualifying for yet another champions league! Whether they will be able to win it though is another matter. With Wenger’s stubbornness in keeping Giroud up front, Sanchez reportedly on his way out, Wilshere and Welback having more injuries than Evil Kenevil and Theo Walcott having more misfires than an old Chinese Musket I think Arsenal will be lucky to make it out of the Group stages next year unless they spend a huge chunk in the Summer Transfer window. Spoiler… they won’t!
Case for Roma not leaving group stage
Try not to Panic Pjanic. Soon there will be Pjanic on the streets of London!
With the return of the prodical Spalletti to Roma, and their fearless captain agreed to stay on for another year, Roma look to be going from strength to strength so how long before they earn a Champions League for the city of Rome. Well if previous seasons are anything to go by it could be a while. Roma have made a reputation as a selling club letting superstars Lamela and Marquishos go to Tottenham and PSG recently. With stars such as Pjanic, Nainggolan and Rudiger rumoured to be on their way out I don’t think Roma will be make it out the Group stages this year.