# Champions League Returns: BBC Sport Previews Favourites and Key Players to Watch

> By  · Published 2026-09-08 · Updated 2026-09-08
> https://lesportifplus.com/en/2026/09/08/champions-league-returns-bbc-sport-previews-favourites-and-key-players-to-watch/

## Summary
BBC Sport has published a preview marking the return of the Champions League, outlining which clubs experts consider favourites to win the title and identifying players expected to be influential this season. The article frames these as early predictions, noting the competition's history of unpredictable outcomes across its group and knockout stages.

## Key points
- BBC Sport released a preview as the Champions League season resumed
- The feature outlines expert-picked favourites to win the title
- It also highlights individual players expected to stand out this campaign

The Champions League has kicked back into action, with BBC Sport releasing an overview identifying the teams considered most likely to lift the trophy and the individual players tipped to make the biggest impact this season. The feature draws on expert analysis to frame early expectations as Europe’s premier club competition gets underway.

## Who does BBC Sport rate as the leading contenders?

BBC Sport’s preview highlights a group of clubs regarded as favourites heading into the new Champions League campaign, based on assessments from [football](https://lesportifplus.com/tag/football/) experts and pundits. While the specific rankings reflect current form, squad strength and recent European pedigree, the outlet frames this as an early guide rather than a definitive forecast, acknowledging that the unpredictable nature of the competition often produces surprises across the group and knockout stages.

> Expectations at the start of the Champions League rarely match how the season eventually unfolds, pundits noted.

## Why are individual players being highlighted this early?

Player-focused previews are highlighted because individual performances often prove decisive in a competition built around knockout drama and marginal moments. BBC Sport’s coverage points to a selection of players expected to be influential, spanning proven veterans with strong track records in the tournament as well as emerging talents making their mark on the European stage for the first time.

## What does this mean for fans following the new season?

For supporters, the preview serves as an early reference point for tracking how title favourites and standout individuals perform as fixtures begin. Given the Champions League’s history of shifting fortunes, BBC Sport frames its [predictions](https://lesportifplus.com/tag/predictions/) as a starting point for discussion rather than a fixed outcome, inviting fans to reassess contenders as matchdays progress and results shape the wider picture.

## Source

- [BBC Sport Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c17j5lr8kkqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — BBC Sport Football

## Sources
- [BBC Sport Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c17j5lr8kkqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)