Champions League tips: Our two best bets for this season's winner

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

It’s always the same every year: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and one UK team in the mix when it comes to finding the winner of the Champions League. However, I think this year the tournament looks more open than usual and our Paddy has a couple of tempting prices in the outright market on two teams that I believe are genuine contenders.

Liverpool

As a Man Utd supporter I nearly choked on my cornflakes writing this, but I thought let’s step out of the box for a minute and look at the wider picture. Liverpool have nothing else to play for this year. They’re out of the race for the Premier League title. Their team is made up of players who know how to win and have the confidence to do just that.

Ok, they have had injuries but that only serves to lessen any dents in confidence the players may feel after their recent slump. If they can get back on track this Tuesday evening with a solid performance against Leipzig and get one or two stalwarts back in a shirt, I can see them going all the way to Istanbul.

TOP TIPS FOR TUESDAY:

Atletico Madrid

They may not be as fashionable as Real Madrid or Barcelona but there is no doubt that Atletico Madrid are the best team in Spain at the moment. Sitting five points clear on top of La Liga with two games in hand on their nearest rivals. I think Los Colchoneros have the confidence and ability to go a long way in this year’s Champions League.

Usually very solid at the back it’s interesting that they meet Chelsea next week having conceded at least one goal in their last five La Liga games. The days of the dour, defensive, hard-to-watch displays from Atletico could well be over. Atletico have been very solid since they were hammered 4-0 in the group stages of this competition last October at Bayern Munich.

They’re a different animal now and I reckon they’re serious contenders for the trophy. Certainly very tempting at the current double-figure odds.