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.