UEFA Champions League Winner Odds – Barcelona's, Real Madrid's and Manchester United's prospects assessed
James Hilsum
The first two UEFA Champions League matchdays have taken place, and it's fair to say that the competition has certainly entertained us so far.
Opta reported that matchday two's total of 78 goals scored across the Tuesday and Wednesday was a new competition record.
The familiar leading contenders took centre stage with some fine performances, none more so than a pulsating 4-2 win for holders Paris Saint-Germain over Manchester City.
Barcelona also enjoyed a convincing 4-1 victory over Galatasaray, while Real Madrid stunned AS Roma after recovering from 3-1 down to score three goals in the final 10 minutes to win 4-3.
There was a routine win for another leading contender in Arsenal after they beat Lille 3-0, but Bayern Munich were held to a frustrating 3-3 draw by Norwegian outfit Viking.
So without further ado, let’s see how these results have affected Livescore’s Champions League winner odds.
Barcelona
The five-time winners are the favourites to go all the way this season after what has been an outstanding start to the campaign for Hansi Flick's side.
That win over Galatasaray made it 10 wins from their opening 10 games across all competitions, which also includes a 5-1 thrashing of Feyenoord on matchday one.
Barca have an embarrassment of riches going forward, with Lamine Yamal already scoring eight goals and registering nine assists in his first 10 appearances.
Anthony Gordon has also hit the ground running, while the stand-out signing of Rodri from Man City has added a stabilising influence in midfield.
That leaves the Catalans in fine fettle to end what would be a 12-year wait to win the trophy, but those credentials will be tested by their next opponents, who happen to be PSG.
Barcelona odds to win the Champions League @7/2
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG have also made a 100% winning start after two Champions League games, with that victory over Man City coming after an emphatic 6-1 triumph over Slovan Bratislava.
Their first-half performance at the Etihad sounded a warning to the rest of Europe, as Luis Enrique’s side raced into a 3-0 lead after just 32 minutes.
City’s players were visibly shell-shocked, and PSG surely will not relinquish their crown without a big fight.
Their bench at the Etihad was absolutely stacked too, including the likes of Ferran Torres, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Joao Neves.
A win against Barcelona on matchday three will likely see their odds shorten, so it may be worth a punt now for some greater value.
PSG to win the Champions League @4/1
Arsenal
The Champions League remains the elusive piece of silverware that's missing from Arsenal's trophy cabinet.
Last season's finalists came agonisingly close to lifting a first-ever European Cup in May after Kai Havertz's opener, before Ousmane Dembele's penalty restored parity and PSG prevailed on spot-kicks.
The Gunners certainly haven't been afraid to win ugly in the past, but Mikel Arteta's side are playing with a more free-flowing style now after scoring 20 of their first 21 goals in all competitions from open play.
That expansive style may reap dividends against the likes of Lille, but it remains to be seen if they can continue in that vein against the competition's other big hitters.
A trip to Bayern Munich on matchday three will give a clearer indication of their ability to go all the way this season.
Arsenal to win the Champions League @11/2
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's start to their Champions League hasn't gone entirely to plan, as Vincent Kompany's left Norway with a bloodied nose following a 3-3 draw with Viking.
It looked like all three points were heading back to Bavaria after the German champions overturned a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2.
But Michael Olise's sending off and Herman Haugen's last-minute equaliser for the hosts was a bitter pill to swallow.
Harry Kane remains Kompany's trump card, with eight goals and four assists from his first nine appearances across all competitions highlighting the England captain's undoubted importance to this team.
It's worth a punt at these odds, and the Arsenal game will give us a better idea of their credentials.
Bayern Munich to win the Champions League @6/1
Real Madrid
The most successful side in the history of the European Cup/Champions League had another stand-out night in this competition with that win over Roma.
There have been numerous occasions in recent years where Los Blancos have seemingly been dead and buried before staging a scarcely believable comeback.
This latest recovery would have been even sweeter for Jose Mourinho on his return to the Italian capital, and he will surely have his eyes on a third winners’ medal in this competition.
This trophy is also a glaring omission in Kylian Mbappe's trophy cabinet, and two goals in two appearances in this season’s competition is a clear indication that he's got the bit between his teeth.
And with a supporting cast including the likes of Carlos Espi and Endrick, alongside England star Jude Bellingham in midfield, these odds represent great value.
Real Madrid to win the Champions League @8/1
Remaining contenders
Manchester City remain good value to go all the way @10/1, while England's most successful club in this competition, Liverpool, are priced @20/1.
Diego Simeone has taken his Atletico Madrid side to two finals, and his team are priced @33/1, while a struggling Manchester United team also have odds @33/1.
Completing the top 10 is Inter Milan contenders, and brave punters can back the Nerazzurri for an eye-catching 40/1.
