THREAD
This thread will explain which team I feel is best positioned to win the Champions league when it returns in August.
Teams talked about in this thread will be

BAYERN MUNICH
FC BARCELONA
PSG
MANCHESTER CITY
JUVENTUS

We begin with the number 1 favorite
BAYERN MUNICH
- Have the most depth out of anyone left in the competition
- Hansi Flick has revitalized the entire team
- Haven't dropped points in a single UCL match thus far
- Comfortably beat Chelsea and Tottenham away from home

Lewandolski has been nothing short of sensational without a doubt the best striker on the planet
- He's got 11 goals in the Champions league this season and we're not even at the quarter finals yet.
Gnabry another lethal weapon with 6 goals in the UCL so far

Another player to look out for is Thomas Muller who's returned to his very best under Hansi Flick he's got
7 goals and 17 assist in 28 bundesliga games.

Overall Bayern are the most balanced team remaining in the Champions league and can hurt you in many ways. Not to mention they'll have Sule returning to further bolster their defense. They are the team best positioned to win the UCL in August

Bayern's only weakness is losing focus in games which can definitely be punished in the Champions league. But that can easily be fixed, Long Story short if they stay fit they'll be serious contenders.

Next Up is FC BARCELONA
For starters
- They're in much better shape after the break
- They have more time to implement Setien's ideas
- They've shown signs of a stronger mentality
- They'll have key players returning from injury
(Luis Suarez and Dembele)

It's almost certain that beyond the round of 16 the Champions league will be come one legged. Which means no second legs. This gives Fc Barcelona a massive advantage over any other team as they've proven they can't beat the best teams in the world. For example Liverpool at home

Fc Barcelona deadliest weapons have been Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann. Though it has to be said they haven't gotten nearly the best out of all of them this season. They're also blessed with talent in midfeild in the form of Arthur and De Jong.

However Fc Barcelona have serious problems at the back and will need to drastically improve defensively if they stand any chance of winning the UCL. Pique and Lenglet have been inconsistent over the course of the season while umtiti has struggled for fitness

To make matters worse Barça sent away arguably their most promising defender in Todibo and as a result don't have enough depth defensively.

Overall despite their defensive issues FC Barcelona has more than enough fire power to beat any team in this competition especially in one legged ties. They'll certainly be strong favorites behind Bayern.

Next We move on to PSG
- Have a very good team
- Have a number of threats going forward
- Embarrassed Real Madrid
- Look sharper overall this season

Let's face it there's been a lot of hype surrounding PSG this season in the UCL... But if you take a few steps and analyze them you run into several issues but we'll begin positively

They've got deadly weapons in the form of Mbappe, Neymar, Icardi, Cavani, Sarabia, and Di Maria

In the UCL this season

Mbappe has 9 G/A in 7 appearances
Neymar 5 G/A in 4 appearances
Icardi has 6 G/A in 5 appearances
Di Maria has 6 G/A in 7 appearances

These stats are very good but now me move on to the bad with PSG
- Tactically vulnerable which was proven against Real Madrid and Dortmund this season
- They've conceeded 4 goals in their last 2 games
- In fighting amongst the team at times
- Couldn't beat Dortmund away

Similar to Barcelona they're also vulnerable defensively and struggle for depth in midfeild relying heavily at times on verrati to carry the midfeild. That being said PSG will certainly be better off in one legged ties.

But there lies 1 massive problem with PSG. THERE'S NO FOOTBALL.
Ligue 1 has been voided which has seen them be crowned champions. However this means they won't play another match until August.

Having to go months without game and then jumping straight back into champions league football is difficult enough. But do it in the knockout rounds with no second legs is very... very difficult

But given the quality of their team you would expect them to be able to tackle issues like this overall they'll be threat in the UCL but I can't see them as clear favorites over Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, and Manchester city. Speaking of City...

They're up and here are a few reasons why they'll be serious contenders behind Bayern and Barça
- They can beat anyone
- They have so many threats in attack and midfeild
- Their team is very flexible
- Coached by Pep Guardiola
- They have the best midfeilder in the world

- They're of the title race and have nothing to lose
- They'll have key players fit in the form of Leroy Sane and Laporte
- They'll benefit from one legged matches

Their best player by far is Kevin De Bruyne who has 9 goals and 19 assist in all competitions this season
In the UCL their best weapons have been
Gabriel Jesus
Who's got 7 G/A in 5 appearances
Mahrez
Who has 5 G/A in 6 appearances.

If City are to win the UCL they'll need a lot more than this players like Aguero, Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Leroy Sane will have to step up as well in order to take this team to glory. City will also be thrilled to have Laporte back who'll definitely help them at the back.

Unfortunately having to play Otamendi or Fernadinho alongside Laporte isn't ideal not to mention the fact that city's fullbacks have under preformed this season. Overall I still see them as firm top 3 favorites just ahead of PSG.

We move on to Juventus
Reasons they'll be contenders provided they get past Lyon
- The have the Champions league leading goal scorer in Cristiano Ronaldo
- Usually very good in Defense
- They've already proven they can perform in big games behind closed doors. IE inter

These are good reasons but similar to PSG when you actually dive deeper into Juve you see a few glaring problems. The first being there midfeild which lacks creativity and energy. Next would be the lack of goals in their team. Take away Cr7 and Dybala and Juve are toothless

This was highlighted by their loss away from home at Lyon where the struggled to create chances and when Ronaldo and Dybala didn't score they had no source goals.

One massive positive for Juventus will be the return of Douglas Costa who gives them another option in attack and cheilini who's a excellent organizer for their defense in big games and off course their captain. These two editions could really give juve a shot at the UCL

However they still lack depth and Sarri still doesn't know what his best team is which often creates problems on the pitch. Another issue Juventus need to fix is their productivity in the Champions league.

This season in the UCL
Cristiano Ronaldo 7 apps
2 goals no assist
Dybala 7 appearances
3 goals and 2 assist
Higuain 7 appearances
2 goals and 2 assist

This lack of productivity has to improve if Juventus have any intentions of winning the champions league.

But all the blame can't be pinned on the attack alone Juve's midfeild is the biggest weakness with notable players underperforming this season. Improving the service to their frontline will go a long way towards helping them challenge for the UCL.

So in conclusion here my Final Ranking for these teams
1. BAYERN MUNICH
2. FC BARCELONA
3. MANCHESTER CITY
4. PSG
5. JUVENTUS

Another team that I didn't mention but consider to be dark horses are off course Atletico Madrid who could easily replace Juventus on the list.