Champions League 2026-27 Power Rankings: Can anyone stop PSG?! Holders make a statement ahead of Barcelona showdown while Bayern Munich’s frailties are exposed

This season’s power rankings are going to look a little different; rather than ranking every team from 1-36, we will instead be mimicking the competition’s league phase by ranking the top 24 contenders, with the other 12 teams left on the outside looking in.

That’s not to say that none of these 12 teams will make it through – there is always a shock name or two in the knockout rounds – but this dozen are currently, in our view, the least likely teams to progress and continue their European journey past the opening round.

There are teams here who have already enjoyed success in this season’s competition, including Azerbaijani newcomers Sabah, who beat Slavia Prague in their first home match at this level, while both Norwegian clubs have made their marks, as Viking earned a 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich before Bodo/Glimt beat Borussia Dortmund 24 hours later. However, they all still face a long road towards earning a place in at least the play-off round.

Some of the other minnows, such as LASK and Slovan Bratislava, do look a little out of their depth, while there is concern that neither of the Turkish clubs will make it through, with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce having acquired just a single point between them thus far.

GOAL’s doomed dozen: AEK Athens, Bodo/Glimt, Fenerbahce (⬇️), Feyenoord, Galatasaray (⬇️), LASK, Lens, Lille (⬇️), Sabah, Slavia Prague, Slovan Bratislava, Viking.