Who Are The Teams to Back In The New-Look Champions League This Season?
The Champions League, along with the other UEFA competitions, the Europa League and Conference League, has a new look this season.
UEFA has eliminated the old format and introduced a new ‘Swiss-style’ league-based competition for each competition’s league phase.
That means teams in the Champions League will play eight matches instead of six Group Stage games. Four at home, four away, against eight different opponents.
The top eight teams in the League phase qualify directly for the Round of 16. The teams ranked ninth to 24th contest a playoff round to progress into the Round of 16. Finish 25th to 36th and the team is eliminated from the competition.
Does this new format alter which teams are likely to shine in the competition? Or will the elite sides from across Europe still dominate the competition?
Teams to Watch in the Champions League 2024/25 and Why
Outlined below are the teams worth considering as potential Champions League winners, together with their latest outright tournament winner odds from bet365 Sport shown in brackets.
Real Madrid (4.00)
The arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick over the summer have boosted the current champions. Carlo Ancelotti’s team is talented and young enough to be a dominant force in this competition for several years to come. Nobody will want to draw Real in the knockout phase of the competition.
Manchester City (3.50 favourites)
Pep Guardiola’s City are the current favourites to win a second Champions League trophy. They have started the season very well. However, with the outcome of their FFP hearing due in the new year, what impact will that have on City in this tournament and beyond?
Bayern Munich (11.00)
After slamming nine goals past Dinamo Zagreb in their opening fixture, Bayern Munich will likely be a real challenger again. Vincent Kompany’s team is vastly experienced but can also draw on emerging young talent such as Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise.
Barcelona (13.00)
Hansi Flick has led Barcelona to the top of the La Liga table with five wins from five. However, they were surprised by Monaco in their opening Champions League fixture, but they should have enough quality to bounce back in their remaining league games.
Paris St. Germain (21.00)
A new-look Paris St. Germain team has been handed one of the toughest sets of fixtures in this year’s competition. If they can come through the league stage, they will be a threat in the knockout phase.
Arsenal (10.00)
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are third favourites to win the Champions League. However, a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in their opener suggests they still have a little way to go to match other contenders.
Liverpool (13.00)
Could Arne Slot surprise many and lead Liverpool to a seventh Champions League title? A fine 3-1 away win at AC Milan suggests they could again be strong contenders.
Bayer Leverkusen (21.00)
Leverkusen won’t go unbeaten this season, but Xavi Alonso’s team is very much in the mix for this trophy. Especially after a huge 4-0 away win over Feyenoord in their opening fixture.
Remember, bet365 Sport offers extensive betting opportunities on the Champions League throughout the entire campaign!
