Wed Sep 17 18:50:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Champions League is back with a new format and 36 teams vying for the title, including a record six from England. BBC Sport’s experts offer their predictions for the winner, surprise package, and player to watch. Liverpool, PSG, and Real Madrid are among the favorites. The experts also share their opinions on which English team will go furthest and which rising star will shine brightest. The article previews the BBC’s coverage of the tournament and includes AI predictions from Microsoft Copilot Chat.

**News Article:**

**Champions League Kicks Off: Experts Weigh In on Who Will Lift the Trophy**

**Budapest, Hungary** – The UEFA Champions League is back and bigger than ever, featuring a revamped format and a record-breaking six English teams among the 36 contenders. Football fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting the first matches of the league phase, which kick off this week, culminating in the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena next May.

BBC Sport has gathered a panel of experts to offer their predictions for the tournament. While defending champions Paris St-Germain are always a threat, Liverpool emerge as a popular favorite among the pundits, buoyed by their strong summer signings and early Premier League form. Real Madrid, perennial contenders, are also in the mix. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur represent the English clubs.

“Liverpool has been strengthening their team this summer,” said BBC’s chief football writer, Phil McNulty, adding that Anfield’s atmosphere will be a crucial factor in the knockout stages.

The experts also highlighted potential “surprise packages,” with Napoli, under the guidance of Antonio Conte and boosted by the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne, emerging as a dark horse. Several pundits also tipped Chelsea, with their wealth of young talent, to have a deep run in the competition.

The spotlight is also on rising stars. Barcelona’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal is a unanimous choice, with many eager to witness his impact on the Champions League stage. Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade is one to watch.

AI agrees, with Microsoft Copilot Chat also favoring Liverpool in their prections.

BBC will provide extensive coverage of the Champions League, with highlights available on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and a special *Match of the Day* on BBC One. Don’t miss the highlights show.

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