Who The Stats Say Will Win The Champions League

Which side will add their name to the Champions League trophy in May?In the last two decades 13 different sides, from 8 different countries, have won the Europe's premier cup competition. Spain (6) lead the way in terms of providing the number of winners, Italy (5) and England (3) come next, Germany (2) have also enjoyed multiple success and then come France, Holland, Portugal and the former Yugoslavia (1).

In terms of losing finalists it's Italy (7), England (4), Spain & Germany (3), France (2) and Holland (1).

The Big Four Nations

What that means is four countries (Italy, Spain, England & Germany) have provided 88% of the 40 finalists since 1990 ... so you know where to look if you want to find this year's winner!

Other statistical pointers which can aid our search for European success:

• AC Milan & Juventus are the only teams to make three consecutive finals since 1990 (Manchester United, Bayern Munich & Valencia have made back-to-back finals).
• Porto (2003/04) are the only first time winners in the last decade. Red Star Belgrade (1990/91), Barcelona (1991/92), Marseille (1992/93) and Borussia Dortmund (1996/97) achieved the feat in the 1990's.
• Barcelona, Real Madrid & AC Milan (all 3) and Manchester United (2) are the only multiple winners since 1989/90.
• No team has won consecutive Champions League titles - since 2000 only Manchester United have come close (won 2007/08, runners-up 2008/09).
• No country has provided back-to-back champions - the last 20 winners have all come from a different country than in the previous season.
• Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson have two wins to their name, no manager in the last 20 years has three (the last to achieve this feat was Bob Paisley in 1980/81).

Interesting data ... but the key is to use this kind of information to make a profit. And it's only by compiling these statistics, studying the results and applying them to the betting markets that such a result can be achieved.

Members of our online betting services get just that ... profitable betting tips, based on a good knowledge of the facts, the form and the full set of available odds.

You've seen the evidence, so who should you back to win the Champions League?

Barcelona (11/4) tick the most boxes but are the shortest odds. You pays your money, you takes your chance with the Catalans at that sort of price.

Barca last won the trophy in 2009 - can they repeat the feat in 2011?You kick out the Italian sides as Inter won last season and that takes care of AC Milan and Roma as well. No sides like Valencia, Lyon, Ajax or Benfica.

Best of the rest, therefore, based on past record, country of origin and general performance patterns would have to be Real Madrid (11/2), Bayern Munich (14/1) and, of the home teams, Manchester United (17/2).

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Now that's just the statistics talking, you might well have your own view on who will lift the trophy at Wembley on May 28th next year and if you do, email me with your thoughts - I'll be only too pleased to hear what you have to say.

Enjoy your betting!

>> Email your Champions League predictions to me at matthew.walton@goldcall.com