So, who will win contest the Champions League? Well, the best odds currently lie with Bayern Munich or Manchester City facing Paris Saint Germain – the champions of Ligue 1. The odds for both of those finals lie at 6/1, and PSG are the only mainstay. This is perhaps due to their easier draw – the Parisians were drawn into the half of the draw alongside Red Bull Leipzig, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone’s men the only side that possesses any sort of elite European pedigree or experience.
This is also why a final including the Spanish giants against Bayern and City are pegged at 8/1, as Atletico and PSG are the favourites in that half of the draw. The next most anticipated UEFA Champions League final is Atalanta versus Bayern or City, with such a matchup placed at 12/1.This is a brilliant reflection of the rise of the Italian outfit, with such odds on them making the European final.
As for the other half, it is clear that Bayern Munich and Manchester City are the favourites to make the final against either PSG or Atletico Madrid. The German champions and Premier League runners up are the favourites to emerge amongst teams such as Juventus, Barcelona, Lyon, Napoli and Real Madrid. After those two, Barcelona are the most favoured to reach the final on the back of Lionel Messi’s exceptional season.
The Spanish giants are pegged at 12/1 to make the Champions League final, and would need to see off the likes of Napoli in the Round of 16, the heavily favoured Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and then Manchester City – who have their own round of 16 second leg to navigate against Real Madrid – in the semi-finals.
It is either the Premier League runners-up or the Italian champions in Juventus – if they can defeat Lyon. Maurizio Sarri’s men are not particularly favoured for European success, even with five-time champion – and the competition’s all-time record scorer – Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks. Juventus’ best odds sit at 25/1, which is a potential clash with PSG, whilst a match against Atletico Madrid is pegged at 33/1.
All things considered, it seems as though Paris Saint Germain, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City are the big favourites for the final of the UEFA Champions League, with a match between the German and French champions believed to be the most likely. On the flip side, a final appearance between Chelsea and Red Bull Leipzig is by far the most unlikely matchup, with the clash placed at 750/1 – such odds are due to the Blues’ terrible first leg against Bayern Munich.
Football is a funny old game, and anything can happen – the Champions League is proof of that.
By Andrew Gamble
