Champions League returns: who are the favourites and players to watch?

Can Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League three years in a row? Julien Laurens is not convinced. He believes PSG can reach at least the semi-finals, but says a third consecutive title would be exceptionally difficult without a player such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Laurens instead backs Arsenal to win the competition, with Bayern Munich as runners-up. He points to Arsenal's defence as the foundation of his prediction and expects Bayern and Arsenal to reach the final. He does not fully trust José Mourinho's Real Madrid project, although Real Madrid remains among the teams in contention.

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If PSG do the three-peat, it would be an incredible achievement.

Guillem Balague sees PSG's uneven start as evidence of how difficult it is to sustain the highest level. Luis Enrique continues to demand dynamic football and relentless pressing, while the league phase gives the team time to experiment before the decisive period from January onward. Balague still expects PSG to come close to winning the trophy again.

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I would go for Arsenal.

Barcelona are also moving strongly, although Balague says Hansi Flick would have liked another centre-back and a number nine. Arsenal, he adds, have learned to win regularly, and the confidence that brings could improve their performances further. He expects those three teams to reach the semi-finals unless they meet earlier, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Manchester City competing for the remaining place.

Laurens names Jude Bellingham, Nico Paz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among his players to watch. He expects Bellingham to become decisive for Real Madrid in the number 10 role, describes Paz as central to Como's attacking play, and says Kvaratskhelia's two-footed threat and technical quality make him a potential Ballon d'Or contender.

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With PSG's irregular start to the season we are seeing how difficult it is to maintain the level.