After six matchdays of the new UEFA Champions League season were wrapped up earlier this week, various betting markets saw movement.
One of these is for the player who delivers the most assists during this year's longer format competition.
Here are the favourites, and perhaps some wildcards in the latest Champions League top assister odds.
| Player | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Mohamed Salah |
5/1 |
| Charles De Ketelaere |
8/1 |
| Raphinha |
12/1 |
| Joshua Kimmich |
14/1 |
| Lamine Yamal |
14/1 |
| Jeremie Frimpong |
16/1 |
| Jamal Musiala |
16/1 |
| Vinicius Junior |
20/1 |
| Kevin De Bruyne |
33/1 |
| Bukayo Saka |
33/1 |
Odds-on favourites
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah now sits as the favourite to be the Champions League's best creator in the 2024/25 season.
The Egyptian was the game's only scorer against Girona, but this meant he was unable to add to his assist tally this time around, staying put on four.
With Liverpool's red-hot form and 100% winning record in the Champions League, it is very hard to bet against the Red's star man.
He also boasts one of the tournament's highest Expected Assists at 2.1, meaning he is good value for his first-place spot.
However, at 5/1 odds and currently levelled by three other players, Salah is far from a secure favourite.
Punters should back him at his current price, at it is wholly likely that Liverpool's progression to the next stage will see his odds shorten dramatically.
Charles De Ketelaere
Atalanta starlet Charles De Ketelaere was also unable to add to his tally this week, as his side fell to a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid.
The Belgian international stepped up to convert a penalty in the second minute of injury time in the first half, but did not provide the assist for Ademola Lookman's goal, keeping him on four.
After a 6-1 thumping of Young Boys last time out in which the 23-year-old grabbed a hattrick of assists, Atalanta's primary playmaker had pulled level with frontrunner Salah.
Bookies currently have De Ketelaere priced as second favourite at 8/1, with it still seeming unlikely that he will be able to beat the Egyptian come the end of the competition.
Still, with Atalanta poised to qualify for the next phase, there would be no use in disqualifying the Belgian just yet, so watch this space.
Raphinha
Another non-mover this week, Barcelona hotshot Raphinha remained stuck on two assists, merely half of the tallies racked up by Salah and De Ketelaere.
The Brazilian was on the scoresheet against Dortmund, picking up the game's first goal in the 53rd minute, which took his total in this season's competition to six, one behind colleague Robert Lewandowski.
However, the red-hot winger was unable to add to his creative exploits, leaving him still some way adrift of his competitors.
Bookies have Raphinha marked at 12/1 to be the Champions League's top assister in 2024/25, but it would seem unlikely he will achieve that feat at his current rate of fire.
Bettors would be taking a real outside punt if they were to get behind the Brazilian.
Outsider chances
Close behind are Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who stand at 25/1 and 14/1 respectively. Yamal has got himself one assist so far, so is lagging behind his rivals slightly. However, Barca have been on a fantastic run of late, so it is highly likely Yamal will be contributing to a lot more goals as the months progress.
De Bruyne has not managed an assist in the competition yet, having only played 45 minutes of Champions League football this season, those coming in the Citizens’ 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in September. Therefore, we would hold off taking a punt on De Bruyne for now, since Pep, as usual, appears to favour rotation during the early stages of the competition.
Overlooked Options
The most obviously overlooked option to be the competition’s top assister comes in the form of Real Madrid’s star summer signing, Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman has already got one assist in both the Champions League and La Liga this season, and with Real Madrid hotly anticipated to win the trophy, he could be an excellent choice at 25/1.
Other outside chances include Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann at 50/1, pacy Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong at 25/1 and Arsenal stalwart Bukayo Saka at 25/1.
All are likely to play a full 90 in their club’s Champions League fixtures, offering the best opportunity to notch assists. We believe now would be the best time to capitalise on lengthening odds.
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.
