Europe’s premier competition returns this week, and the first round of fixtures has thrown up some fantastic clashes.
The Champions League is wide open again this year with the usual suspects, Real Madrid, FC Bayern, Barca and Juve fancied on football betting forums. And, with five teams representing the Premier League, our betting odds on an English winner is at 3.60, second only to a Spanish triumph at 2.60. And then, of course, there’s PSG, the billionaires of Europe, desperate to turn riches into glory.
Tuesday
Group A
Manchester United open its campaign with a home tie against Basel. Jose Mourinho has spent big this summer, but his best player remains goalkeeper David de Gea. Benfica entertain CSKA Moscow, both teams with realistic chances to progress.
Group B
This is a heavyweight group with FC Bayern, joint second-favourites to win the competition at 7.00, hosting Anderlecht while PSG, also at 7.00, begin with a visit to Celtic. Only two potential qualifiers here, I expect.
Group C
Diego Costa has been left out of Chelsea’s Champions League squad, but the Blues are favourites at 2.10 to win the group, starting with a visit from Azerbaijan’s finest, Qarabag FK. Atletico Madrid start with a crucial visit to Roma.
Group D
Olympiacos host Sporting Lisbon in a game where only the winner will have a prayer of qualification. The other match, Barcelona against Juventus, pitches two teams on an entirely different level.
Wednesday
Group E
Liverpool host Sevilla in the Group E opener, starting as clear favourites to win the group. Sevilla too will expect to qualify as the other game sees Spartak Moscow travel to Slovenia to face Maribor.
Group F
It’s a big year for Pep Guardiola, and his Manchester City side are decent bets to win the Cup at 11.00, starting with a visit to Feyenoord. Napoli, also fancied to progress, begin with a trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Group G
This is the most open group with Monaco visiting RB Leipzig as 2.40 favourites to win the group while the hosts are at 3.50. Porto are also in it at 3.40 and start with a home tie against Besiktas.
Group H
Real Madrid host Apoel Nicosia and it’s a chance for the tournament favourites to get off to a fast start. Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to top score in the competition at 4.90. Spurs host Borussia Dortmund in the final tie of the round.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
