Ex-City midfielder Steve McManaman says he expects his former club to win the Champions League for a second consecutive season.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle are the other English clubs that have joined the Premier League champions in the group stage this campaign but McManaman told Betfred that City are by far the strongest team in the competition:

“I believe an English team will triumph, so I’m going to have to say that Manchester City will probably win it again. Bayern Munich are obviously stronger with Harry Kane doing the business and I’m thrilled to bits for him because if they can keep him fit, he’ll probably score 40 to 50 goals this season.”

“I don’t believe Real Madrid and PSG are stronger than they were last season so when I look overall at what Manchester City have done this summer, I can’t look past them at this moment in time.”

The bookies all agree with McManaman

Every major bookmaker in the UK have made the Citizens the favourites to lift the European Cup again, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid second and third in the running.

Arsenal are the only other English club that are considered to have a realistic chance of winning, with many bookies making them fourth favourites. Not many believe that United or Newcastle will be in contention.

City have the monkey off their back

They say that the first one is always the hardest to win and, after winning their first final against Inter Milan back in June, any insecurities about the team’s ability to win this competition have vanished.

Of course, going all the way in the Champions League is still a very tough ask, considering the quality of the opponents that City will have to face, but the pressure has been lifted. Nobody will be surprised if Pep Guardiola‘s side reach the final again next year.

Watch this video on Shots! TV previewing Manchester United and Manchester City’s upcoming games