The latest UEFA Conference League outright winner odds outline a clear favourite, but previous editions have proven that even the smaller teams have a chance to succeed.
After Olympiacos became the first Greek team to win a major club-level continental competition back in May, predicting who will win the UEFA Conference League in 2024/25 is even harder this time around. Certainly, there were huge shifts in the odds after the official draw late last month, and the obvious favourites no longer feel as overpriced.
Best Conference League outright winner odds
Chelsea – 7/4
European champions just three years ago, Chelsea remain the undisputed favourite to lift the Conference League trophy this season. Valued at approximately £890m, Enzo Maresca’s squad is almost four times more expensive than the next team in line. The next most expensive squad in the Conference League is Fiorentina’s at a relatively meagre £224.5m.
However, Maresca has already made the headlines by not including Cole Palmer in the Conference League list, so Chelsea will be without their star playmaker in the league phase. It could therefore be wise to wait out a few rounds before you jump on the odds, in case Chelsea make an early mistake.
Chelsea start with a home test against KAA Gent, and although the Belgian side have endured a mediocre start to 2024/25 domestically (W2, D1, L2), a roster of forwards with an average age of just 20.8 years is likely to play on the counter at pace and without fear.
Nevertheless, the Blues shouldn’t have problems in their fixtures after what looks like a favourable draw. This might also have a positive knock-on effect on their odds for a top 4 finish in the Premier League, especially if they seal progress with a game or two to spare.
Real Betis – 3/1
Real Betis are no strangers to European football, as the team has been a constant fixture in the Europa League and Conference League since 2021. But having them as one of the main favourites to win this edition is entirely based on the fact that they come from the Spanish elite.
Los Verdiblancos only finished seventh in La Liga last season, but they'll do well to get anywhere near the same heights next year, judging by their poor start to the 2024/25 league season. Three rounds in, Betis remain winless (D1, L2) with a single goal scored, and they were fortunate to get the sole draw too.
Relegation still isn't expected, but now isn't the time to back Betis, as a continued slump in La Liga would doubtless see their attention diverted away from Europe's tertiary club competition.
Fiorentina – 4/1
Having reached the final twice in a row, Fiorentina now have the third-best UEFA Conference League winner odds. They have a relatively easy league phase schedule on paper too, so expect them to rank high and reach the latter stages for the third year running.
On the domestic scene, La Viola are going through a curious phase with five draws in as many games to start the new Serie A season.
However, their squad improved significantly during the summer transfer window. David de Gea joined the club, Sofyan Amrabat returned from Manchester United and Moise Kean joined from Juventus. The latter has already contributed three goals since the start of the season.
Others – 16/1+
The brand-new Conference League format guarantees a new champion every year, and after Olympiacos defied the odds last term, it is worth looking at some of the outsiders for this season's edition.
Could the trophy stay in Greece for a second year running? Olympiacos are not in the Conference League, having gained automatic passage to the Europa League via May's astounding triumph. But their ‘eternal' enemies Panathinaikos are, and they have already made the headlines after eliminating the more-fancied RC Lens in the qualifiers.
Elsewhere, FC Copenhagen proved last season that they can defeat bigger and better teams after crushing Man Utd’s dreams and making it to the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Priced at 16/1 right now, Copenhagen are one of the best outsiders to bet on in our opinion.
Our prediction
On paper, no team matches Chelsea’s potential, although Enzo Maresca’s squad has not shown consistency yet. But based on the draw, we like their chances.
Alternatively, one other team strikes us as a potential finalist. Could Heidenheim make it this far in the competition as a debutant? Heidenheim currently sit at the top of the Bundesliga and are priced at 16/1 to win the UEFA Conference League.