It may be early – but sometimes it pays to get in there early, especially if there’s betting involved. Ante-post odds can be some of the most valuable out there. But, that being said, you need to be smart – and pick wisely.
Pep finally managed to put his demons to bed last year, bagging Man City their first-ever Champions League win – and many think it’s theirs to lose this year as well, but there are certainly teams out there ready and waiting for them to slip up and steal their crown. So, with that being said, let’s look at who we think will be up there with a shot this year.
Manchester City
The current favourites for Champions League betting are the current title holders, the Cityzens.
They possess the financial resources, an accomplished coaching staff – and some of the best players in the world. It’s possible that, aside from Rodri, the midfield might require a little rejuvenation soon – and Manchester City still has lots of potential and room for growth. One of the biggest concerns is whether they are still hungry enough. Having conquered the summit after numerous attempts, Pep Guardiola and his squad might find it a bit harder to motivate themselves for the next attempt. That being said, if one thing is evident from this year, it’s that the team most capable of defeating Manchester City is none other than Manchester City themselves. They will need to be on top form to defeat these teams…
Barcelona
Heading into the next season, there’s a clear favourite in La Liga, much like in the Premier League. Amidst a hugely competitive field, Xavi’s Barcelona stands out because they possess a number of qualities typically associated with European champions. As well as having the seasoned goal-scorer, Robert Lewandowski they also have a defence that, despite significantly surpassing the expected goal value of the shots they faced, appears to be extremely resilient. While they may not be on City’s level right now, they’re certainly pretty impressive and can’t be written off.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is always there or thereabouts. You can expect to see Real Madrid always up there as a competitor. With Jude Bellingham joining from Borussia Dortmund, Carlo Ancelotti has the opportunity to oversee both the finest young midfield and the most experienced midfield in the same season – pretty exciting stuff. Moreover, the team’s defence is incredibly sturdy, and the wing talents of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are already impressive, with room for growth that could elevate them to the status of top-tier European players.
All that’s left is for them to find a striker to fill the void that was left by Benzema.
Bayern Munich
We have another team in search of a goal scorer, even as they continue to make significant signings in the Bundesliga. They’ve already secured the talents of Konraid Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro… both of whom could bring some serious quality to a midfield that appears to currently lack players with the defensive discipline required to excel in Champions League matches.
When you take a close look at Tuchel’s squad, there’s definitely a wealth of established talent for a coach with his talent to work with in the upcoming season. However, there’s still that sense that something extraordinary is missing – the X factor. Perhaps this is something that players like Victor Osimhen or Randal Kolo Muani could provide.
Arsenal
This would be very different if Arteta’s team hadn’t just managed to secure a place in Pot Two – which is more likely to result in a more favourable draw compared to what most teams would usually receive after a seven-year absence from the Champions League.
The decision to position Arsenal so high in the rankings shows real confidence in the team’s potential, thanks to their form at the beginning of the season. It’s also based on the belief that, thanks to recruitment efforts, the development of their young core and the return to fitness of William Saliba, they should be playing at the highest level by the time the league games start. But does Arteta possess the tactical acumen and experience to handle the challenges of the Champions League knockout stages if they do advance that far? We’ll have to wait and see!
So, there we have it – our top five picks of who we think has what it takes to at least make it to the knockout stages of the 2023/24 Champions League. And one of these, we think, will hold the title aloft in the summer of 2024.
