Champions League Preview

Following the recent draw for the Champions League group stages let us have a look at how the betting markets are shaping up.

Barcelona are the 57/20 (You Win) favourites for the Champions League. The Catalan side were the winners in 2011 the last time the final was played at Wembley and should benefit from a kind group draw. Alongside Barcelona in Group G are Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic. It would be a shock if Barcelona did not top their group and they are 1/6 (Sporting Bet) to do so. The other three sides are likely to battle it out for qualification in the second slot with Benfica 4/6 (general) to qualify and Spartak Moscow 2/1 (general). Scottish champions Celtic are not been giving much hope and are 6/1 (bet365/BetVictor) just to qualify.

The pick of the groups is undoubtedly the one that pits the English champions (Man City) with the Spanish champions (Real Madrid) throw into that mix the German champions (Borussia Dortmund) and the Dutch champions (Ajax). It promises to throw up some mouth watering matches and bookmakers make Real Madrid the 4/5 (general) favourite for the group. It is something that I can not dispute as the two Spanish sides are the two best sides in the competition. Those who think Man City can land the group can get 5/2 (sportingbet), Borussia Dortmund are 7/1 (bet365) while Ajax are the 33/1 (Coral) outsiders. Though it might be too much to expect the Dutch side to qualify do not overlook them as opponents as they are a slick skillful passing side and will be no whipping boys. Look for match prices nearer the time and expect them to pick up a few points at home. Group A features big spending PSG who are the 11/10 (general) favourites. Though the French side have the best players they have yet to gel as a team in their domestic league. Porto are no mugs and could cause problems at 15/8 (boylesports/paddy Power/ladbrokes) while Dynamo Kiev are 7/1 (boylesports/ladbrokes) and Dinamo Zagreb are the 25/1 (BetVictor/You Win) outsiders.

Other than Man City the English sides can not be too disappointed with their draw and Arsenal are 10/11 (BetVictor) to come top of a reasonable easy group. Schalke are 3/1 (general) while Montpellier are 7/1 (BWin/Bodog/You Win) and Olympiakos are the 14/1 (Totesport/betfred) outsiders. Chelsea have a slightly harder group but should still be expected to progress. I would not be backing them at 21/20 (Sporting Bet) with Juventus in their group though they should have no problems with Danish outsiders FC Nordsjaellnd (100/1-Blue Sq-888 Sport) and Shakhtar Donetsk at 12/1 (You Win). Man Utd will be taking nothing for granted after failing to get out of an easy group last time yet it would be a shock if they did not win a group featuring Braga, galatasary and CFR Cluj. The 2/7 (bet365) does not look like one to get involved with though bearing in mind what happened last year.

The two remaining groups look wide open affairs. Milan are the favourites at evens (general) to win Group C though I could not be having them at that price. Zenit at 78/25 (You Win) look dangerous as do Malaga at 5/1 (bet365/You Win) and even Anderlecht at 18/1 (BWin) could finish top. In Group F Bayern are the 4/7 (Bet365/boylesports) favourites though may face competition from Valencia 3/1 (general) and Lille at 11/1 (BWin). Bate Borisov are 33/1 outside (general).

Tuesday 18th September is the date to have in your diary as that is when action gets underway in the Champions League and we will have a lot more previews nearer the time.

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03/09/2012     © Frixo 2024