The UEFA Champions League group stages have concluded and European football’s most famous competition returns to action with the knockout stages beginning on Tuesday 15 February. The original pack has been cut to just 16 teams and bookmakers have reacted, changing the team they pinned as favourites to the head of their betting market. The traders are now red hot on the chances of Manchester City who are the most likely winners of the trophy, according to those responsible for the betting.
The best sportsbooks online had originally gone with German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich before changing their minds to support the Cityzens after six games. FCB have been impressive so far, progressing to the knockout rounds as convincing winners of their pool and one of the most eye-catching teams from that stage. But that didn’t stop bookies retreating, standing down and changing their views, something that doesn’t happen all too often in football betting.
The Champions League isn’t a two-horse race, of course, and any experienced follower of the beautiful game will confirm anything can happen at this level, and often does. Will Pep Guardiola’s side live up to expectations and go one better than last season when losing to Chelsea in the final or can Bayern Munich roar back into contention. Perhaps this is the year PSG get the job done and who would write off Chelsea from successfully defending the crown they worked so hard to win last year?
Let’s take a closer look at the betting, evaluating the chances of the favourites and picking any outsiders worth a mention at bigger odds.
Manchester City
Man City won Group A despite a below par showing, losing two of their six games. They finished ahead of French cracks PSG which serves as a signal of intent to the rest of the competition. The most promising thing for City fans is that although they haven’t reached their peak yet, that is still to come.
There’s plenty more in the tank for Pep’s boys and they will be a much stronger side when facing off against Sporting Lisbon over two legs. Lisbon holds the home advantage in the first leg meaning the Cityzens will be eager to ensure the game is as safe as possible returning to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg.
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Bayern Munich
The best team in Germany started as the bookies’ pick but were relegated to second place despite not doing an awful lot wrong. Were Man City more impressive than FCB during the group stages? Not in the slightest. Bayern won Group E with a perfect record of 18 points from a possible 18, scoring 22 goals while conceding only three.
They are all set to now play Red Bull Salzburg in a two legged match, starting away from home. If Bayern Munich play anywhere near their best they will have more than enough quality to go through. They are available at better odds than they probably should be which makes them the value.
Chelsea
Chelsea may be the current owners of the Champions League trophy after beating Manchester City 1-0 in a tense final last season but they are fourth in the outright betting list behind the two teams already mentioned and Liverpool. The Blues led the Premier League for much of this season before being knocked off their perch by City but they know what it takes to prevail in knockout football and look to be the dark horses of the betting market with a generous price attached to their chances.
Chelsea face a tricky Round of 16 tie when meeting French side Lille at Stamford Bridge before travelling for the second leg. The Londoners don’t want to have to go to France needing a win. They will plan to keep a clean sheet in the opener and hope to score a few goals. The ideal situation for Chelsea fans in this match would be a comfortable with to nil with a two-goal cushion or more.
Others worth a mention
Outside of the four teams we have already touched upon in this article – Man City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool – which other sides are serious contenders to win the Champions League?
That’s anyone’s guess at this point but the odds makers are keen to keep the likes of PSG, Ajax and Real Madrid closer than the rest. Three huge teams at this stage and it wouldn’t rate as a shock result to see either win.