Aitor Karanka: Barcelona "hot favourites" for Champions League

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka believes that Barcelona are the "hot favourites" to win the Champions League this season.

The Catalan side will take on Chelsea for a place in May's final and as a result Karanka expects Pep Guardiola's side to knock out the Blues and advance through.

"It's what everybody thinks [that Barca are favourites]," he told reporters. "They are a team that play really well, are in the semi-finals and although they did drop in form, they picked it up again and are still hot favourites."

Real face Bayern Munich in the other semi-final.