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Big changes to the UEFA Champions League are on the horizon, as the 2024/25 European tournament is set to begin in earnest with the new format in full view.
Gone is the old group stage format, and in its place comes expansion to 36 teams in the “league phase” which features the Swiss Model to determine its knockout participants. The draw on Thursday, August 29 outlined the league-phase matchups with each team set to play eight games (four at home, four away).
This season’s champion will be one who can triumph amidst a bigger field, new competition format organization, and the depth to survive a grueling season full of an increasingly clogged fixture schedule.
The Sporting News brings you a rundown of the odds to win the 2024/25 Champions League title, who is tipped to lift the trophy, and how each side stacks up.
MORE: UEFA Champions League prize money on offer in 2024/25
Odds to win Champions League 2024/25
Manchester City are unsurprisingly the favorites this year, as the betting market has been in love with Pep Guardiola’s side for years. Yet it hasn’t quite played out that way, with Man City winning the title in 2023 but falling short in every other attempt. They opened up with a 0-0 draw against 2023 final opponents Inter Milan.
Often, Real Madrid have been doubted by pre-tournament oddsmakers, but after winning last season’s title and adding superstar Kylian Mbappe for the coming campaign, Los Blancos are right there with Man City amongst the top two favored sides. Madrid beat an impressive Stuttgart 3-1 on matchweek one but were stunned 1-0 away to Lille in their next outing.
Premier League challengers Arsenal and Liverpool are both considered to be in the mix, while Paris Saint-Germain are still amongst the top 10 contenders despite the departure of Mbappe and dismantling of their star-studded approach from the last decade. It’s tough for the betting market to separate the Italian teams, while the first non-Big 5 League team to feature is Sporting CP of the Portuguese league.
| Club | Nation | Odds to win (BetMGM — USA) |
| Man City | England | +275 |
| Real Madrid | Spain | +300 |
| Arsenal | England | +900 |
| Bayern Munich | Germany | +1000 |
| Liverpool | England | +1200 |
| Barcelona | Spain | +1400 |
| PSG | France | +1600 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | +2000 |
| Inter Milan | Italy | +2000 |
| Atletico Madrid | Spain | +2500 |
| Borussia Dortmund | Germany | +3300 |
| AC Milan | Italy | +4000 |
| Juventus | Italy | +4000 |
| Aston Villa | England | +5000 |
| Girona | Spain | +6600 |
| Stuttgart | Germany | +6600 |
| RB Leipzig | Germany | +6600 |
| Bologna | Italy | +10,000 |
| Monaco | France | +10,000 |
| Sporting CP | Portugal | +10,000 |
| Lille | France | +10,000 |
| Brest | France | +15,000 |
| PSV | Netherlands | +15,000 |
| Feyenoord | Netherlands | +15,000 |
| Benfica | Portugal | +15,000 |
| Club Brugge | Belgium | +20,000 |
| Galatasaray | Turkey | +20,000 |
| RB Salzburg | Austria | +20,000 |
| Celtic | Scotland | +25,000 |
Who will win Champions League title in 2025?
Best bet: Arsenal (+900 on BetMGM), Real Madrid (+300 on BetMGM)
While Manchester City has been the darling of the betting universe for the last half-decade, they are, flat out, no longer the best team in Europe. Pep Guardiola’s side still boasts one of the most impressive starting XI’s, but their depth has bled out slowly. The side relies heavily on Rodri and Erling Haaland to maintain its performance level, and if either goes down or needs time to recover fitness, they are severely depleted.
Enter fellow Premier League challengers Arsenal, who appear to boast not just an impressively talented top-level squad, but their depth is superb as well. The addition of Mikel Merino is a strong one, and they are well-equipped to survive the likely injuries that will come with an incredibly congested fixture schedule. At 9/1, the Gunners have exceedingly strong value amidst this top-heavy list.
While their value feels muted at 3/1, defending champions Real Madrid are also impossible to look past, taking a title-winning team and adding Kylian Mbappe to the squad. Carlo Ancelotti has easily the world’s most impressive attacking unit at his disposal, and if you’ve got doubts about Arsenal, Los Blancos are a strong play even as one of the top favorites.
Dark horse: PSG (+1600 on BetMGM)
Is it really possible that PSG have become better in the absence of Mbappe? Having shed the last member of their famed MMN attack after Lionel Messi and Neymar both departed the French capital in recent years, they are now ready to unleash their new approach to European football.
Luis Enrique now has a squad built to compete, rather than built to sell merchandise. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola can now be unleashed as the star players they are capable of being, and Fabian Ruiz has developed into a world-class midfielder after starring at Euro 2024. The loss of Manuel Ugarte will be felt, but they have faith that Joao Neves can fill that role. PSG are the strongest title contender amongst the top tier of clubs.
Stay away from: Man City (+275), Liverpool (+1200), Barcelona (+1400)
While Arsenal are on the rise in English and European football, Manchester City and Liverpool seem like they are more vulnerable than they have been in years. Liverpool lost Jurgen Klopp this past summer, and they have not addressed any of their transitional defensive issues. Man City, meanwhile, feature the same loaded starting XI but have lost significant depth over the past two years without adequate replacement.
Barcelona, meanwhile, did well to add Dani Olmo but still have many issues with the squad, including fitness concerns around some of the club’s most important players, such as Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, while Robert Lewandowski is a shell of his former self. The Blaugrana are improved this season, but not nearly enough to be a Champions League contender.