Champions League Betting
The Champions League is the most high-profile club competition in the world. Watched by millions all over the world and competed by the best teams in European, it really is the pinnacle for many football clubs.
To be crowned the Champions of Europe is an incredible achievement for any club and as Chelsea’s victory showed last season, it isn’t always the usual suspects that can go all the way. Roberto Di Matteo’s men were only the sixth-best team in England last year after all.
Now, with the domestic season approaching, it is time to look ahead to the 2012/2013 Champions League. Who are the favourites? Will there be a surprise package? How much chance for English clubs? There are certainly plenty of factors to place your bets on.
Leading the way in the betting at this stage of proceedings is, unsurprisingly, Barcelona. They may well have fallen short last season – bowing out to Chelsea in the semi-final – and they may have a new manager, but they are still considered as the team to beat.
With Lionel Messi in their team, as well as a large number of Spain’s Euro 2012 winning squad, it is no surprise to see them as the 7/2 favourites for success.
They are not short of rivals though and this includes their Spanish counterparts Real Madrid who are the second favourites. Jose Mourinho may have won La Liga last season, but victory in the Champions League will be a big ambition for him this time around.
Having won the competition twice times before, he will definitely be eyeing a third success. Madrid have the strongest squad they have possessed for many years and this could be their time. If you fancy a bet on the Spanish Champions, they are available at 4/1.
Next in line are the two Manchester clubs, with City as the third favourites. They may well have crashed out earlier than expected last year, but they are more at ease with being a top European club now.
They are the English Champions and have a fantastic squad that is settled and playing well for their manager Roberto Mancini. To win the whole tournament is a big ask, but they certainly shouldn’t be written off at 7/1.
Manchester United are then available at 12/1 and they too will be looking to bounce back from a very below par performance in last year’s Champions League. If they can add Robin Van Persie to partner Wayne Rooney, their chances would surely increase.
Last year’s finalists Bayern Munich and Chelsea are then available at the same odds of 14/1. Both have strong squads with a mix of youth and experience and they can definitely not be ruled out. However, both may be more pre-occupied with making sure they challenge for their respective titles.
You then have several clubs, including Arsenal, between 16/1 and 25/1 before the genuine outsiders for success begin. Amongst this group, available at 16/1, is Paris St-Germain.
The French club are looking to launch an assault on the competition this year and they certainly have some exciting players to try and make it happen.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be leading the line for them and there are many betting pundits backing their new era to get off to an explosive start.
Overall, it should be quite an exciting few months as the best teams in European football battle it out.