Peter Crouch predicts the Premier League "dominance" of European football will continue with Liverpool and Manchester City his two "favourites" to lift the Champions League this season.
City kick off their knockout stage campaign against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night before the Reds travel to Inter Milan the following day.
Holders Chelsea, who defeated Pep Guardiola's side in last year's final, are in action next week against French champions Lille in the last 16.
Crouch also believes the Blues have an "real opportunity" of defending their crown and they will be full of confidence after clinching the Club World Cup on Saturday.
However, the former Liverpool and England striker was was much less optimistic about Manchester United 's chances as they prepare for a trip to Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.
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"We are living through an exciting time for English football and are currently in a spell of Premier League dominance," Crouch told the Daily Mail.
"Two all-English finals in three years says it all and you would not bet against that turning into three out of four when Saint Petersburg comes around on May 28.
"I cannot see much past the Premier League clubs. Liverpool and City are my favourites and I’m struggling to split them in Europe."
The 2019 final saw Liverpool overcome Tottenham to be crowned European champions for the sixth time, while City are searching for their maiden triumph in the competition.
Elsewhere, Crouch claimed Chelsea have a good chance of winning the continent's grandest honour again, even though Stamford Bridge legend Joe Cole has been warned by former club Lille that the Blues have a fight on their hands.
The 41-year-old added: "Chelsea, crowned world champions over the weekend, have a real opportunity to defend the trophy too.
"Joe Cole still keeps in touch with the guys at Lille and they fancy their chances in their last-16 match but Chelsea should be too strong."
In contrast, Crouch doubts whether United can move past Atletico, who won La Liga last season, to reach the quarter-finals.
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A beaten finalist in Liverpool's 2007 final against AC Milan, he also gave his verdict on some of the other European heavyweights involved in the knockout stage.
"Manchester United are the only ones I’m wavering on," Crouch said. "They can have their moments, although their tie with Atletico Madrid is 50-50. It depends on which United turns up.
"Bayern Munich are the real threat. Robert Lewandowski is lethal, supplemented with pace and ability in midfield.
"The rest? Real Madrid remain a top side but lag behind. Paris Saint-Germain have top players but are they ever going to truly gel as a unit?"
