England legend Paul Scholes reveals his unexpected choice to win the Champions League

Paul Scholes has identified a dark horse team that he believes has the potential to surprise everyone and clinch the Champions League title this season.

In the early stages of the competition’s new league format, it is the Premier League clubs who have shown their quality.

Both Aston Villa and Liverpool have won their opening three games, while Manchester City sit in third spot with two wins and one draw so far.

However, there is a huge battle already underway for the top-eight spots which would secure safe passage automatically through to the knockout stages.

Defending champions Real Madrid have ground to catch up having fell to a shock 1-0 defeat against Lille in gameweek two but it is their arch-rivals Barcelona who Scholes reckons could cause a stir after their impressive start to the season.

‘I think Barcelona could be dangerous,’ the former United midfielder said on The Overlap with Sky Bet.

Under the fresh tutelage of Hansi Flick, the Catalan giants have taken a mammoth nine-point lead at the top of La Liga having thumped Real 4-0 in El Classico last month.

And despite suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat to Monaco in their opening Champions League fixture, an emphatic 4-1 win over Bayern Munich last time out laid down a marker for other teams.

‘They’ve been off the scene for a little while but I watched them against Bayern Munich the other week and thought, “Wow”,’ Scholes added.

‘I’ve not seen that in a Barcelona team for a long time. They are a very young team but they look back to the side you associate Barca with.’

Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, fears that despite a slow start, Carlo Ancelotti’s side still remain the favourites to add another Champions League to their remarkable trophy cabinet.

‘You know what Real Madrid are going to do with this new Champions League format,’ he began. ‘They’re going to sneak through that qualifying round by the skin of their teeth and then they’ll end up going on to win it all. What a club.’

Barcelona will look to continue their impressive run on the continent on Wednesday when they travel to face Red Star Belgrade.

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