The Champions League saw some brand new changes come into effect this season, in what some are calling the biggest switch up in modern football. Groups are gone, as all 36 sides are now placed in a league format, with the top 24 going through.
Sides have still been drawn against each other and will play eight ties. This will decide their finishing position in the league. The top 8 progress automatically, whilst 9th - 24th compete, head-to-head, for a spot in the round of 16.
This new-look tournament has also prompted some unique betting markets to arise, one our experts have been keeping a close eye on. They have gone through and meticulously picked out three bets that are worth checking out ahead of the tourney kicking off.
Top 3 Champions League Bets
- Top Italian Team in League Stage - Juventus @11/4 with bet365
- Atletico Madrid - Top Eight Finish @7/5 with bet365
- Brest to Finish Bottom in League Stage @16/1 with bet365
All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Getting the Old Lady Back on Her Feet
It is no secret that Juventus have been off the pace for some time now, once the supposed kings of the Serie A, they now haven’t claimed the league title since 2020, and that mountain top still seems some way off.
However, they could become the toast of Italy, on the continental stage, as they have been gifted a remarkably easy draw, particularly compared with their compatriots.
Whilst they will have to contend with Manchester City, no easy feat, beyond that they are more than capable of competing with all the other sides, the next best being the likes of RB Leipzig, Benfica, Club Brugge and perhaps Aston Villa.
However, whilst Inter and AC Milan lead them in the betting to be the best Italian side, their draws are much harder, with far more potential downside.
Inter must face the likes of City, Arsenal, the invincible Bayer Leverkusen as well as RB Leipzig. Whilst AC have it even harder, contending with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Leverkusen as well.
The Milan sides could well be facing up to three potential losses, as the Old Lady, is in with a shot of winning or securing results in perhaps seven of their matches.
This would be comfortably enough to put them over the top and at 11/4 the price is definitely worth looking into, either as a single or if it can be combined into a longer form wager.
Tip - Top Italian Team in League Stage - Juventus @11/4 with bet365
Madrid Making Moves
When reading this title, many may have thought we would be talking about Real Madrid, but that is not the case as we turn to their red and white counterparts Atletico, who have been treated extremely kindly in the draw.
As such they are our pick to make it into the top eight, and with a price of 7/5, there is certainly value contained within this.
This thanks to their remarkably easy draw, such that they avoid the majority of the big boys, only having to take on a PSG side that, with Kylian Mbappe, is likely to have lost a lot of its sting.
Joined by the likes of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica, all of whom, on their day Atleti are more than capable of defeating.
Not to mention the fact they had an incredible transfer window, bringing in the likes of Julian Alvarez, World Cup winner and ex-Man City man, Connor Gallagher, Chelsea’s talisman, Robin Le Normand, Spain’s Euros-winning CB, and notorious big-man Alexander Sorloth.
The red side of Madrid looks poised for big things this term and who's to say the Champions League won’t be their focus?
Tip - Atletico Madrid - Top Eight Finish @7/5 with bet365
Could be Bottom for Brest
Brest snuck into the Champions League off the back of a decent run out in Ligue 1 last term, but they may well be in for a rude awakening. Yet, the bookies seem to be glossing over Brest’s chances for this and at 16/1 the price is definitely worth checking out.
First up, they have had a rough draw, having to face the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV as well as Shakhtar Donetsk who always enjoy turning up in the Champions League.
Their lesser opponents give pause for concern also though, as Salzburg, Sturm Graz and Sparta Praha. Whilst perhaps technically worse sides, these boast some extremely devoted fans, who could turn the tide in the match.
Brest could find themselves outmatched and out-supported in nye on every match they play, something that does not bode well for their first outing in Europe.
Tip - Brest to Finish Bottom in League Stage @16/1 with bet365