Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen tip English sides to dominate Champions League

Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen agree only Bayern Munich can prevent a Premier League club lifting the Champions League trophy this season.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all enjoyed impressive group-stage campaigns to reach the last 16 of the tournament with one game to spare.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds were the most-impressive side, brushing aside Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Porto to finish top of Group B with a 100 per cent record of six wins from six matches - a first for an English club.

Elsewhere, City bettered Paris Saint-Germain to win their group despite losing at RB Leipzig on Tuesday, while Chelsea and United will look to follow suit on Wednesday as they take on Zenit Saint Petersburg and Young Boys respectively.

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In contrast, the continental heavyweights of old have been unconvincing, with Real Madrid losing at home to minnows Sheriff Tiraspol and Barcelona facing an uphill battle to avoid an early exit.

Owen cannot see either La Liga giant nor PSG going all the way in the Champions League this season, identifying Bayern as the main threat for the English sides.

"The Spanish teams aren't the force of old," the former England striker told BT Sport. "I've said lots of times I can't have Paris Saint-Germain go and win. For me, it's Bayern Munich or an English team.

"That was supposed to be the group of death for Liverpool and they've just brushed everyone aside with weakened teams at the end as well.

"They're miles too good for the rest of the teams. If they had played their strongest team for every game it would've been embarrassing really, that's how much they're clear. It's phenomenal. 18 points out of 18 in that group with those pedigrees of names."

Ferdinand echoed his co-pundit but appeared to rule out former club United from lifting the trophy in Saint Petersburg in May during a period of transition under Ralf Rangnick.

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The Old Trafford legend "I don't see past the three English teams to be fair. I think the three English teams will win it this year.

"Bayern might stake a claim but the English teams just look so powerful, tactically they're on it, the individuals, they've got three of the best managers as well.

"When you get to the latter stages where you need people to organise your team well, the experienced teams all know how to win this tournament."

The Champions League last-16 draw will take place on Monday.