Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has named his favourites to win the Champions League this season.
After the second international break of the season, the Champions League returned earlier this week for the third match day of the brand new format.
As it stands, it is the Premier League sides that lead the way in the competition, with Aston Villa topping the table ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City.
However, with a long way to go until the Champions League final in May, a lot can change and Aguero has predicted who will make it to the final stages of the competition.
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Speaking to Stake, the former Premier League great claimed that the new format will help teams that normally struggle in the competition, leading to some surprises in the later rounds.
He said: "This is a new Champions League format, I think this year will be full of surprises.
"This format could help smaller teams to thrive and qualify to the next round. This might also complicate things for bigger clubs to qualify."
However, there are three teams in particular that he believes are the strongest in the competition this year, and who he thinks will go far.
"I’ve always felt that the favourite to win the tournament is Manchester City, and then Real Madrid, but I also see a very strong Arsenal team," added Aguero.
"However, I do hope both Man City and Barca can conquer this edition. Even though I’ve seen City struggle in some Premier matches this season, it is the same club we know, controlling the games from start to finish.
"But to tell you my prediction, I feel that this year’s Final will have two teams that no one is expecting."
Villa have undoubtedly been the biggest surprises in the Champions League so far, winning all three of thier matches including over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile Aguero's top three teams City, Real Madrid and Arsenal have all dropped points in their opening games.
City and Arsenal have both won two of their three matches and drawn the other to Serie A sides Inter Milan and Atalanta respectively.
Real Madrid are one point behind the other sides having won two matches but losing to French club Lille.
Topics: Manchester City, Champions League, Sergio Aguero, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Premier League
Ben McCrum