5 bold predictions for the second half of the 2021-22 season

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo to score 20+ league goals for the 13th consecutive season

Burnley v Manchester United - Premier League

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo is not going through the smoothest of patches right now. He has not scored in his last five games across all competitions, marking his longest dry spell since 2010.

As expected, while many have already written off the Portuguese superstar, we cannot help but back him for a swift turnaround.

The Manchester United No.7 has scored six goals in five Champions League matches this season, winning invaluable points for his team.

He is the Red Devils’ leading scorer in the Premier League as well, netting eight times in 19 appearances.

Backing him to score 12 more in the next 15 games may seem a bit too optimistic, especially considering the form he is in.

However, considering the fact that he has scored 20-plus goals for the last 12 seasons, the prediction hardly seems outside the realm of possibility.

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#2 Barcelona to win the Europa League

FC Barcelona v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander

In December, Barcelona were eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2000-01. They are now preparing to face Napoli in a Europa League Round of 32 clash.

Considering how they have fared so far this season, both in Spain and Europe, the Blaugrana are not outright favorites to lift the trophy. However, we believe their quality will shine through in the second-most prestigious cup competition in Europe and they’ll walk away with the Europa League trophy in May.

Under Xavi, Barcelona have started playing an impressive brand of football, nicely blending intricate movement and clever exchanges. They have also improved their finishing and are finally getting the goals their link-up play deserves.

If the Catalan giants keep at it and play to their strengths, we don’t why they won’t go all the way in the Europa League this season.

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#1 Bayern Munich to win the Champions League

FC Bayern München v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are one of the most explosive teams in Europe and we’re backing them to win their seventh Champions League this season. They have the best striker in the world in the form of Robert Lewandowski, and the supporting cast is just as brilliant.

When on song, they can tear through any defense in the world, and luckily for them, they rarely have an off day.

Julian Nagelsmann, who took charge of Bayern Munich at the start of the season, has struck the right balance between defense and attack.

The Bavarians still love to play on the front foot, but they don’t overtly commit themselves, which keeps them from getting caught out during transitions.

Bayern Munich will face RB Salzburg in the Champions League Round of 16 and we believe the tie will be nothing more than a formality.

An emphatic win would only increase the German champions’ confidence, making them even more dangerous in the latter stages of Europe's premier cup competition.

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