As we enter a new era of the Champions League, which sees 36 teams compete for 16 spots in the knockout round in a single league table, this also sees updates to the competition’s betting market.
With all teams thrown together and high-seeded teams no longer afforded the protection they once had, we analyse which sides look most likely to emerge victorious as the tournament’s league stage winner.
We’ve highlighted the most likely prospects below and provide information on why each of the current frontrunners provide good value.
Make sure to get your bets in before odds begin to shorten.
Contents
Best Champions League group stage winner odds – top 10 favourites
- Liverpool – 11/4 (3.75)
- Man City – 7/2 (4.5)
- Arsenal – 13/2 (7.5)
- Real Madrid – 9/1 (10.00)
- Aston Villa – 10/1 (11.00)
- Barcelona – 10/1 (11.00)
- Borussia Dortmund – 16/1 (17.00)
- Inter Milan – 16/1 (17.00)
- Bayer Leverkusen – 20/1 (21.00)
- Sporting Lisbon – 66/1 (67.00)
Featured selection
Aston Villa (10/1)
Although it may be an unexpected choice, Unai Emery’s Villains currently sit top of the league stage table, with a perfect record and no goals conceded. They also managed to defeat Bayern Munich 1-0 during their three-game winning run and confidently overturned Bologna on Tuesday evening.
Although it will be tough for them to take the title at the competition’s close, this excellent start has set them up perfectly to potentially surprise everyone and win the Champions League’s inaugural league phase.
Notable Picks
Liverpool
The Reds currently stand as the bookies’ favourite to conquer the initial stage, with odds of 11/4. Arne Slot’s side have been comfortable so far, notching an equally perfect record, having edged past RB Leipzig 1-0 this week thanks to a goal from Darwin Nunez.
However, the scoreline does not tell the whole story, as it was a dominant performance from the Dutchman’s side, who look well-placed to top the table come the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Man City
Man City are unsurprisingly tipped as a good pick to overcome their competitors in the early stage, set at 7/2. Pep Guardiola’s side responded to a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Inter Milan during the opening game with crushing 4-0 and 5-0 victories to sit third in the table.
A team capable of demolishing opponents always looks good value to go all the way, but it’s not likely to be easy with all 36 teams capable of taking top spot.
Arsenal
In the same vein as Man City, Arsenal have responded to an unexpected opening game draw with successive victories. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners squeezed past Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night thanks to a Dmytro Riznyk own goal, and bookies have them at 13/2 to continue their red-hot form and emerge league stage winners.
Real Madrid
Hotly tipped to win the whole competition, record Champions League winners Real Madrid are an excellent choice at 9/1. A mesmerising come-from-behind victory against Dortmund this week demonstrated the unstoppable power of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, having been two goals behind at half-time.
With a history as prominent as Los Blancos’, it is hard to ignore them in the race to see who will come out on top of the Champions League’s new format.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
In December 2020 we sadly 
