The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group stage gets underway next week from 17 September, in a revamped group stage which will see 36 teams compete in a single group.
Each team will play eight matches each with the level of competition in the group stage increasing from previous years. Click here for a full explainer of the new format.
Here, we take an early look at the favourites to win this year’s UEFA Champions League trophy.
Manchester City to win the 2024/25 Champions League @3.15
Man City have been widely regarded as the best team in Europe in recent years, with Pep Guardiola’s side finally lifting the Champions League trophy as part of a historic treble in 2022/23.
While they were unable to progress past eventual champions Real Madrid last season, falling to defeat on penalties in the quarter-finals after an exhilarating 4-4 draw over two legs, Man City will once again be heading into this season with an expectation of going deep into the tournament.
Real Madrid to win the 2024/25 Champions League @4.45
The masters of the Champions League, Real Madrid secured their record-extending 15th trophy last season as they beat Borussia Dortmund in the final in Wembley, leaving them eight trophies ahead of the next closest club, AC Milan, who have seven.
Despite many not considering Los Blancos to be the top footballing side in Europe, history has shown that they do not have to be anywhere near their best to lift the trophy. With an exceptionally talented squad and a unique connection to the continent’s most prestigious tournament, Real Madrid can never be counted out and, once again, are one of the top two favourites to go on and lift their 16th title come the end of the campaign.
Arsenal to win the 2024/25 Champions League @8.75
The Gunners made their long-awaited return to the Champions League in the last campaign after being absent from the competition for the past six seasons. While they dominated their group, winning four and losing just one of their six games to progress in top spot, Arsenal struggled past Porto on penalties in the round of 16 before being narrowly beaten 3-2 by Bayern Munich over two legs.
Their impressive rise back to the top of English football under Mikel Arteta has seen them become one of the best teams in the continent in recent years, and they will be determined to lift one of the English Premier League or Champions League trophies this year.
Bayern Munich to win the 2024/25 Champions League @12.00
Barcelona to win the 2024/25 Champions League @13.00
Liverpool to win the 2024/25 Champions League @14.00
PSG to win the 2024/25 Champions League @20.00
The top three favourites to lift the trophy come the end of the campaign are perceived to be the strongest of the contenders by a significant margin, with the trailing pack all unlikely to become European champions. However, the Champions League has always been full of shocks and surprises, leaving any team having the potential to become the champions.
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by Uzairu Dantani
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