The League Phase draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is complete, and now it’s time to look at which teams will come out on top of the new format. In 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.
Teams will fight in the knockout stage until the champions are crowned. But which teams are favorites to lift the trophy?
A two-horse race between Man City & Real Madrid?
Manchester City have been installed as red hot favourites by most of the best football betting sites. Pep Guardiola’s side completed a remarkable treble in the 2022/23 season as they beat Inter in the UEFA Champions League final, but they came unstuck in their attempts to retain their crown last season as they were eliminated by Real Madrid.
Carlos Ancelotti’s men are unsurprisingly amongst the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League again next season, after lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy for a record-extending 15th time, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final at Wembley few month ago. The club has also signed the best striker in the world, Kylian Mbappè, on a free transfer. If Carlo Ancelotti can balance Vinicius Junior and Mbapppe in attack together, this team will be truly unstoppable even with Toni Kroos retiring.
Liverpool and Arsenal can be genuine contenders
Liverpool, with new manager Arne Slot at the helm, also feature prominently in the betting. The Dutchman has been one of the most consistent managers in Europe over the past few seasons, so he can look to keep things simple while also letting Liverpool press and attack as they do best.
Arsen are pushing Manchester City close year after year in the Premier League, but their distinct lack of European experience have hampered their ability to go deep in the tournament so far. This year could be different. They are solid at the back and have added depth to their team by signing Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling and Mikel Merino.
Other teams expected to shine
European powerhouses Bayern Munich and Barcelona will fancy their chances of winning the UEFA Champions League.
Despite sliding to third place and ending their 11 year grip on the Bundesliga last season, a below par Bayern Munich team snuck into the Champions League semifinals. The unproven Vincent Kompany will manage the team this year, and the Bavarians will need to overcome the defensive weaknesses that make them struggle last year. Kompany has a fairly star-studded attack, led by one of the game’s best goalscorers in Harry Kane and rising talent Jamal Musiala.
The Catalans have been impressive under new manager Ansi Flick in their opening set of matches, and with plenty of talent at his disposal (Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres above all) they could be poised for a run.
Despite operating on a smaller budget than some of their opposition, Italian manager Simone Inzaghi has built Inter Milan into a serious contender. The Nerazzurri did not deserve to lose to Manchester City in the 2022/23 Champions League final and impressively smashed opposition in the 2023/24 Serie A.
La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and Serie A powerhouse Juventus have been the biggest spenders in the transfer market during this summer and could be the surprise packages of the season.
Here are the latest odds to win the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League offered by Bet365.
