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.
Best Champions League group stage winner odds – top 10 favourites
| Team | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Liverpool |
1/8 |
| Barcelona |
5/1 |
| Arsenal |
33/1 |
| Inter Milan |
100/1 |
| Bayer Leverkusen |
100/1 |
| Aston Villa |
150/1 |
| Lille |
200/1 |
| Brest |
400/1 |
| Borussia Dortmund |
500/1 |
| Bayern Munich |
500/1 |
Featured selection
Liverpool
Although it may seem obvious to have Liverpool as a featured selection pick, the Reds have been that good this season that it is impossible to ignore them.
The new competition format means that each team plays a total of eight games in the league stage, and with six wins from six, it seems almost certain that Liverpool will finish the phase as group victors.
Wins against Girona, Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen have decorated Liverpool's excellent run, one in which they have conceded only a single goal en route to 18 points.
With only two games remaining, bookies have them priced at 1/8 to win the league phase, and it would seem dubious that any team will be able to stop them.
Notable Picks
Barcelona
Liverpool's closest rivals for the Champions League group stage are Barcelona. The Blaugrana have 15 points from their opening six matches, most recently overcoming Borussia Dortmund in a 3-2 victory.
The clinical trio of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal has proved potent thus far, but an opening day loss to Monaco has derailed the club's potential chances of topping the league phase table.
Barca will need Liverpool to lose in order to overtake them prior to the phase end, but this would seem rather unlikely. The improbability of this outcome is reflected in the club's 5/1 odds of topping the table.
Arsenal
Another shot in the dark to overtake Liverpool is Arsenal. The Gunners have 13 points from their opening six games, with four victories and one draw.
However, with two games remaining it would seem they have left themselves with an insurmountable task.
Liverpool would need to lose both games against Lille and PSV in order for Mikel Arteta's side to have any chance of topping the group, but this seems wholly improbable.
Yet, stranger things have happened in football, so never say ‘never' to any outcome. Bookies are pricing Arsenal at 33/1 to emerge as victors of the Champions League's inaugural league stage.
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.
