Another season of Europe’s elite competition is just around the corner and this definitely feels like the right time to take a look at the most attractive outright markets offered on the Champions League group stages. Rather than backing Real Madrid or Barcelona to qualify for the knockout stages at incredibly short odds, we will attempt to find the best value for money throughout the eight groups, so below is our selection of the top 5 outright bets.
Market: Group Qualification
Pick: Bayer Leverkusen
Odds: 8/13 @ bet365
The German giants were placed into an evenly matched group alongside Benfica, Monaco and Zenit, but their Champions League experience should prove a major asset. Die Werkself have seriously reinforced the squad over the summer and already proved their worth by defeating Borussia Dortmund on the road, while new boss Roger Schmidt seems to have brought a new quality to the side. Being a well balanced team with plenty of attacking quality and showing incredible consistence, Leverkusen can be trusted to progress from Group C.
Market: Group Forecast
Pick: Real Madrid/Liverpool
Odds: 4/7 @ bet365
Group B is likely to offer the least amount of surprises seeing as how FC Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad are unlikely to create too many problems for Real Madrid and Liverpool. The Champions League holders look a safe bet to finish top of the group as the Reds lack some quality to match los Blancos, but Brendan Rodgers’ side should ease off to the second qualifying berth on their return to Europe’s elite competition.
Market: Group Betting
Pick: Atletico Madrid
Odds: 10/11 @ bet365
Last year’s finalists have been handed a favourable draw seeing as how they should easily finish above Olympiakos and Malmo FF, and everything suggests los Colchoneros will be vying Juventus for the first place in the group. The Bianconeri will be desperate to leave their mark on the Champions League after crashing out in group stages last term, but this will add a lot of pressure on the players, who could struggle to live up to the billing without Antonio Conte. Atletico, on the other hand, have remained just as ruthless as last term in spite of the major changes in the squad and two triumphs over star-studded Real Madrid are enough to suggest they will be extremely difficult to break this season as well.
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