Champions League: Real Madrid Alex Favourites

Real Madrid are Sir Alex Ferguson's favourites to win the Champions League

this season.

Not even Ferguson's Manchester United have been able to match the European

form of Real this season.

The holders strolled through the first phase and topped Group A with an

impressive 13 points.

The Spanish giants, who beat United in the quarter-finals last season, lost

just one match and scored a formidable 15 goals in their six games.

Real have been just as rampant in the second phase and they top Group D, which

contains Leeds, at the halfway stage with maximum points.

Real have led a Spanish revival in the Champions League and Ferguson believes

the Primera Liga sides remain the ones to beat.

``I think Real Madrid are the favourites and they are looking very strong,''

he said.

``Last year we saw the emergence of Spain again and they had three teams in

the semi-finals, which was fantastic for them.''