The Champions League draw has come and gone now, and whilst many fans and sides may be looking forward to a huge new style tournament, the betting for it has remained entirely unchanged.
The competition has a new format for the upcoming campaign as 36 teams will compete in one league, with each side playing eight games, all against different opponents.
The top eight sides in the league will then qualify automatically for the knockout phase, while those finishing in 9th to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to try to secure a spot in the last 16.
The odds have shrunk for the favorites Manchester City since the draw, with the rest of the teams left to figure out how to stop them from winning a second Champions League title.
Champions League Winner Odds
Team | Odds |
Manchester City | +200 |
Real Madrid | +350 |
Arsenal | +800 |
Bayern Munich | +1200 |
Barcelona | +1200 |
All other teams | +1400 or above |
Odds courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Manchester City @ +200
City have maintained most, if not all, of the pieces that carried them to their historic treble two years ago, even adding back in Ilkay Gundogan after he rejoined from Barcelona. As such, they could be primed to once again push for glory.
They started their domestic campaign in fine form as well, winning all their escapades on English soil to this point.
Their odds shark from above +300 to now just +200 thanks to their remarkably easy draw. Their toughest opponents will be the likes of Inter Milan and PSG, diminished after losing Mbappe, and perhaps Juventus.
Aside from this, the likes of Club Brugge, Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon and two Eastern European sides, are unlikely to trouble them, and City could well go undefeated in the league stage.
This would set them up well heading into the traditional knockout phase, yet the Citizens have generally struggled in this stage in the past, and one win does not offer the pedigree that others possess in this tourney.
Real Madrid @ +350
In terms of pedigree, no one has more of this than the Galacticos, who racked up their 15th Champions League title last term, dominating in the knockout stages and once again putting the rest of Europe to the sword.
Adding Kylian Mbappe to their squad as well is sure to aid their cause, as they have been lacking a true frontman since Karim Benzema’s departure two years ago.
Quality and history aside, Real sits second in the betting courtesy of a tougher draw than many of their counterparts.
They will have to face last year's defeat finalists Bayern Munich, scudetto winners AC Milan, and Europa League champions Atalanta. Real will also have to contend with Liverpool, Salzburg, Lille, Stuttgart, and Brest.
Of course, Real could defeat all of them, but a tougher league stage speaks for itself. However, they are still expected to make it through with ease.
Arsenal @ +800
Arsenal have been so far from the mountaintop that it is unlikely they can even see through the clouds anymore, and yet they still remain third in the betting, with their Premier League status no doubt keeping them afloat more than anything else.
Whilst their talent is undeniable, pushing City close year after year, their distinct lack of European experience could hamper their ability to go deep in the tournament.
The Gunners were blessed with an easier draw than most. PSG, Inter, and Atalanta being the best sides they'll face, alongside that of Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Lisbon, Girona, Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb.
Few should pose a threat to them, but they loved lacking on the road last time out in here, failing to get past French side RC Lens.
The league stage could hold some upsets, but nothing to derail their route to the knockouts. From there, though, Arsenal could struggle.
Barcelona @ +1200
It has now been nearly a decade since Barcelona last won a Champions League, under Pep Guardiola, but with new man Hansi Flick's side looking impressive in their opening set of matches they could be poised for a run.
Talent is abundant in the side, courtesy of their La Masia graduates, many of whom impressed on the international stage at the Euros. Lamine Yamal, Predri, Gavi Pau Cubarsi and even Ferran Torres will all play starring roles for the Catalans.
A proven ability against European opposition is one thing, but the Champions League hasn’t been kind to Barca of late, and this could create some issues.
Group stage and early knockout round exits have hurt them, but it does mean the new league format could benefit them. Meetings with Bayern and Dortmund are unlikely to be pleasant, but beyond that few should be able to challenge them.
Flick won the Champions League with Bayern, turning it into a treble, and he could turn around the fortunes of the Catalans.
Bayern Munich @ +1200
It has been a perfect start to life for Vincent Kompany in his new role as Bayern Munich manager, but in the Bundesliga this is hardly unexpected. Now, he tries to take the Bavarians to heights he never achieved as a player.
So many Bayern managers have seen the chop because of lackluster efforts in the Champions League, with them only having made it to the semi-finals once since their last victory in 2020.
Youthful talent fills the side, and they have far more history with this tournament than most other teams that top the betting. As such, the knockout stages aren’t something for them to fear.
Their route there looks to be an unencumbered one, as PSG and Barca are their only threats, but a trip to Villa Park may not be as easy as they may expect.
Aside from that, top eight and the knockouts should be guaranteed, but their lack of success here could give pause for concern.