Champions League Favorites for the 2024-25 Season: Man City and Real Madrid Tied as Top Contenders
Winning your national league is a great achievement to boast about. But conquering the continent? That’s when you become a true powerhouse.
Real Madrid clinched the Champions League championship with a 2-0 victory over Dortmund a little over a month ago. They are currently favored to defend their title, but Manchester City is expected to be a strong contender in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League according to top soccer betting sites.
City did not achieve glory, but they are still considered by many to be the top club in Europe. Madrid eliminated them in the quarter-finals this year, winning in the second leg on penalties. Will City be able to seek revenge?
Bayern Munich is also near the top of the oddsboard, with Harry Kane still pursuing his first major trophy. Will the English star be able to guide his team to victory in the 2024-25 season?
Qualifying Rounds will begin on July 9 for teams still vying for their spot, while the Euro and Copa America tournaments continue. Although many sportsbooks have removed outrights from their boards, we still have some options available.
Champions League odds 2024-25
Champions League odds as of July 8, ranked from best to worst among our top sports betting sites.
| Team | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | +275 ❄️ | +300 |
| Man City | +300 | +225 |
| Arsenal | +800 | +900 |
| Bayern Munich | +1000 | +1200 |
| Liverpool | +1100 | +1000 |
| Barcelona | +1400 | +1200 |
| PSG | +1500 | +1600 |
| Inter Milan | +1600 | +1600 |
| Juventus | +2500 | +3300 |
| Atletico Madrid | +3000 | +3300 |
2024-25 Champions League favorites
Real Madrid (+300)
I’m baffled as to why Madrid is not considered the favorite on all of our top sports betting apps. They recently won the tournament and are now adding French superstar forward Kylian Mbappe, forming what could be the most formidable attack in world football.
Madrid also have the advantage of competing in a less competitive league, leading some to believe that City’s struggles in the Premier League contributed to their elimination from the Champions League.
With odds of +300, this seems like the most valuable option available, but I prefer to wait a couple of months to see how the transfer window plays out.
Top odds at +300 on bet365 equate to a 25.00% implied probability.
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Manchester City (+300)
Despite not winning the Champions League, Manchester City showed their superiority by winning the Premier League title from Arsenal. Other teams in Europe should be wary of Pep Guardiola and his team if they have a score to settle.
After leaving the quarters and facing a wave of online criticism over City’s 115 alleged rule violations, the club is determined to prove their critics wrong in the upcoming season.
It is significant that City are being considered as co-favorites with last season’s champions, especially since they have recently acquired one of the top players in the world.
Caesars has the best odds at +300, implying a 25.00% probability.
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Arsenal (+900)
Although currently in third place, Arsenal is expected to bring back a similar, possibly even stronger squad to the tournament this season. The young Gunners were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals last year, but have since gained valuable experience which may work in their favor.
Arsenal’s key players gained valuable experience in this year’s Euro and Copa America tournaments, having never played so deep into a continental tournament before. With their newfound experience, they should be able to compete with Manchester City for the EPL title and make a strong push in Europe.
Greatest chance of winning: +900 odds on bet365, with an implied probability of 10.00%
Keep an eye on my 2024-25 Champions League squad
Inter Milan (+1600)
Last year, Internazionale claimed its 20th Serie A title, marking its second championship in the past four years. However, the Italian powerhouse was eliminated in the Round of 16 this year, losing to Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout.
Lautaro Martinez was the top goal scorer for the team last season and has continued his impressive form during the summer, making him a strong contender for the Copa America Golden Boot. Additionally, the team has acquired midfielder Davide Frattesi from Sassuolo, who had some starts and substitute appearances for Italy during their unsuccessful Euro 2024 campaign. Frattesi’s addition will strengthen the midfield.
Caesars offers the best odds at +1600, implying a probability of 5.88%.
2024-25 UCL format changes
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group stage will see a significant alteration with the introduction of a single 36-team league. Each team will play against eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away.
The top eight teams will go straight to the Round of 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th will compete in knockout-round playoffs to determine eight more teams that will advance. Once the final 16 teams are determined, the competition will proceed with a straightforward knockout format as in previous years.
Schedule and important dates for the 2024-25 season
Qualifying rounds
- The first qualifying round will take place on July 9-10 and July 16-17.
- The second qualifying round will take place on July 23-24 and July 30-31.
- The third qualifying round will take place on August 6-7 and August 13.
- Playoffs will take place on August 20-21 and August 27-28.
Stage matches
- Matchday 1: Sept. 17–19
- Matchday 2: Oct. 1-2
- Matchday 3: Oct. 22-23
- Matchday 4: Nov. 5-6
- Matchday 5: Nov. 26-27
- Matchday 6: Dec. 10-11
- Game day 7: January 21-22, 2025
- Game day 8: January 29, 2025
Knockout stage
- Play-offs for the knockout rounds will take place on February 11-12 and February 18-19, 2025.
- The Round of 16 will take place on March 4-5 and March 11-12, 2025.
- The quarter-finals will take place on April 8-9 and April 15-16, 2025.
- The semi-finals will take place on April 29-30 and May 6-7, 2025.
- May 31, 2025 – End date
Past Champions League winners
| Team | Year | Odds prior to Round of 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 2024 | +550 |
| Manchester City | 2023 | +185 |
| Real Madrid | 2022 | +1600 |
| Chelsea | 2021 | +1800 |
| Bayern Munich | 2020 | +650 |
| Liverpool | 2019 | +900 |
| Real Madrid | 2018 | +850 |
| Real Madrid | 2017 | +490 |
| Real Madrid | 2016 | +550 |
Tips for understanding Champions League title odds
The odds for each team to win the Champions League reflect their likelihood of becoming champions and are usually shown in American format (+XXX). Lower odds suggest a higher chance of winning, while higher odds suggest a lower chance.
A team with +750 odds to win the Champions League has an implied probability of 11.76%, meaning a $10 bet would return a $75 profit if they win. In comparison, a team with +1500 odds has lower odds and a lower implied probability of 6.25%, but a win on a $10 bet would result in a $150 profit.
When evaluating odds, bettors should take into account team performance, roster strength, injuries, and historical trends. By comparing odds from different sportsbooks, individuals can make well-informed betting decisions throughout the Champions League season.
Champions League FAQs
Which team is predicted to win the Champions League in 2025?
Manchester City is considered the top choice to win the Champions League, with odds as low as +225, indicating a roughly 31% chance of victory.
When is the start date for the 2024-25 Champions League?
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League begins on July 9, 2024, with the qualifying rounds kicking off.
After the teams are finalized, the Group Stage matches will kick off on September 17, 2024, and continue until January 9, 2025.
The knockout rounds will commence on February 11, 2025, and will culminate in the final match on May 31, 2025.
Who was the winner of the Champions League in the previous year?
Real Madrid, starting with odds of +650, emerged as favorites with odds of around -340 before the final against Dortmund, and ultimately won the Champions League title in 2024.
What is the date for the final of the 2025 Champions League?
The final of the 2024-25 Champions League is scheduled for May 31, 2025.
Which city will host the 2025 Champions League final?
The Champions League Final is set to make a comeback to Germany’s Allianz Arena, marking its first return to the venue since 2012.
Soccer betting odds pages
| World Cup Odds | EPL Title Odds |
| Women’s World Cup Odds | UEFA Champions League Odds |
| European Championship Odds |
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