The 2024/2025 Champions League will be quite different from what we’ve been used to, as UEFA has introduced new tournament formats for all of its inter-club competitions, starting this season.
With the league phase kicking off on Tuesday, September 17, we revisit the details of the new format, analyse the latest winner odds, and share our predictions on how the top teams will perform in the 2024/2025 Champions League.
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What is the new Champions League Format?
We’ve already provided a detailed explanation of the new Champions League format and what fans can expect moving forward. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth a read for better insight and understanding.
The key change to note is that UEFA has moved away from the traditional group stage format, where 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four. Instead, the new format features an expanded single league phase with 36 clubs, meaning four additional teams will now compete in the Champions League.
The draw for the league phase took place on August 29, where the 36 teams were divided into four pots based on seeding. Two teams from each pot were drawn and matched against two opponents from each of the other three pots, ensuring no teams from the same domestic league face each other.
Unlike the previous format, there will be no traditional home-and-away group matches. Instead, each team will face eight different opponents and play four home and four away games, as determined by the draw.
As a result of this change, the number of matches per team will increase from a minimum of six to eight, starting from the 2024/2025 season. Once the league phase concludes, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last 16, while the teams that finish between ninth and 24th will compete in a play-off round to determine the remaining eight spots.
While the new Champions League format may take some time to adjust to, one thing is certain for sports betting buffs: the increased number of matches offers many more betting opportunities, which is definitely something to look forward to.
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UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 Winner Odds
Odds courtesy of Bet9ja, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change:
- Manchester City @ 3.15
- Real Madrid @ 4.45
- Arsenal @ 8.75
- Bayern Munich @ 12.00
- Barcelona @ 13.00
- Liverpool @ 14.00
- Paris St-Germain @ 20.00
- Bayer Leverkusen @ 23.00
- Inter Milan @ 23.00
- Atletico Madrid @ 23.00
- Borussia Dormund @ 26.00
- Juventus @ 34.00
- AC Milan @ 41.00
- Atalanta @ 51.00
- Aston Villa @ 61.00
- Monaco @ 81.00
- RB Leipzig @ 81.00
- Sporting Lisbon @ 81.00
- Lille @ 101.00
- Benfica @ 101.00
- Stuttgart @ 126.00
- PSV Eindhoven @ 126.00
- Salzburg @ 151.00
- Bologna @ 151.00
- Feyenoord @ 151.00
- Girona @ 151.00
- Celtic @ 201.00
- Brest @ 251.00
- Club Brugge @ 251.00
- Shakhtar Donetsk @ 251.00
- Sparta Prague @ 351.00
- Dinamo Zagreb @ 401.00
- Sturm Graz @ 401.00
- Young Boys @ 401.00
- Crvena Zvezda @ 501.00
- Slovan Bratislava N/A
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Champions League Winner Prediction
Manchester City @ 3.15
Manchester City were eliminated in the quarterfinals last season by eventual winners Real Madrid, but they enter the competition as the favourites, priced at 3.15 odds on Bet9ja.
City are undeniably one of Europe’s top teams, with elite players in every position. Under Pep Guardiola, they have become perennial favourites to win the Champions League and have made the final in two of the last four seasons, winning once.
With Erling Haaland in such devastating, record-breaking form, it’s difficult to argue against their status as front-runners. Perhaps only an injury to the Norwegian or potential distractions from their ongoing Premier League legal case could derail their chances.
- Manchester City group phase opponents: Inter Milan, PSG, Club Brugge, Juventus, Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Sparta Prague, Slovan Bratislava.
Real Madrid @ 4.45
Real Madrid are the current holders after clincing a record-extending 15th Champions League crown with victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last season and they’re second favourites at 4.45 odds to make it 16 UCL titles in Munich next year.
While they’ve been unconvincing in La Liga even with the summer addition of Kylian Mbappe, Los Blancos’ incredible history in this competition and star-studded team means they will always be among the top favourites.
Having won 15 out of their 18 appearances in the final, including six of the last 11 editions, and with their most recent defeat in the final dating back to 1981 against Liverpool, it would take a bold person to bet against Real Madrid.
Moreover, with Carlo Ancelotti – who has claimed a record five Champions League titles with two different teams – at the helm, it would be no surprise at all if Real were to lift the trophy again this season.
- Real Madrid group phase opponents: Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, AC Milan, Atalanta, RB Salzburg, Lille, Stuttgart, Brest.
Arsenal @ 8.75
Arsenal have yet to experience success in the Champions League or reach the final since 2006, which highlights the quality of their current squad and the exceptional work of manager Mikel Arteta that they are third in the betting odds to win the 2024/2025 competition.
The Gunners lack a strong pedigree in the tournament, having only returned last season after a seven-year absence. Without any notable past performances or historical triumphs, their status as third-favourites at 8.75 odds is difficult to justify based on previous achievements.
Moreover, their performance last season – beating Porto on penalties in the round of 16 before being eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, a tie many expected them to win- indicates that Arsenal still have much to prove.
If Arteta is to celebrate his three-year contract extension with the club’s first Champions League title, there is significant work ahead.
- Arsenal group phase opponents: PSG, Inter Milan, Shakhtar Donetsk, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, Sporting Lisbon, Monaco, Girona.
Other Contenders
Bayern Munich @ 12.00
Six-time winners Bayern Munich are listed at 12.00 odds on Bet9ja to win the 2024/2025 Champions League, and their impressive track record in the competition suggests they are certainly contenders.
However, the Bavarians are now led by rookie manager Vincent Kompany, who will be coaching in the tournament for the first time – a factor that could work against them.
- Bayern Munich group phase opponents: PSG, Barcelona, Benfica, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb, Feyenoord, Slovan Bratislava, Aston Villa.
Barcelona @ 13.00
Barcelona’s strong start to the season under new manager Hansi Flick suggests they are serious contenders to win the competition for the first time since 2015.
The Catalans have made a 100% start to their La Liga campaign, where they’ve already built up a four-point lead and scored an impressive 17 goals in just five games. Their performances so far indicate they could be more than a match for other top teams in the latter stages of the tournament.
Additionally, with some of the world’s most exciting talents including Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Pau Cubarsi complemented by old warhorse Robert Lewandowski, Barca, priced at 13.00 odds, appear better placed to win the Champions League than they have been in years.
- Barcelona group phase opponents: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Benfica, Young Boys, Crvena Zvezda, Brest, Monaco.
Liverpool @ 14.00
Liverpool also have a new manager, Arne Slot. Although they have an excellent historical and recent record in the Champions League, it remains to be seen how much of a threat they will pose this season. The manner of their loss at home to Nottingham Forest should raise doubts about how they will measure up against Europe’s elite.
Bet9ja has priced the Reds at 14.00 odds to win the 2024/2025 Champions League. However, a quarterfinal finish appears a more realistic expectation.
That said, they do have a favourable group phase draw which could see them build serious momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
- Liverpool group phase opponents: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, Lille, PSV, Bologna, Girona.
PSG @ 20.00
It will be interesting to see if Paris St-Germain, priced at 20.00 odds, can finally win the Champions League as they begin their campaign without Mbappe, who ironically was signed with conquering Europe in mind.
Facing heavyweight teams in the group phase will be an early test of their championship potential. However, with Luis Enrique, a Champions League-winning manager with Barcelona in 2015, at the helm, and quality players littered all through their squad, PSG possess the quality to be serious contenders for the 2024/2025 Champions League title.
- PSG group phase opponents: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, PSV, Salzburg, Girona, Stuttgart.
Dark Horses
Dortmund’s fairytale run to last season’s final evoked a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of Champions League campaigns in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, clubs like Deportivo La Coruña, Shakhtar Donetsk, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Porto, and Monaco were frequent customers in the latter stages.
Fans will hope the new format brings back the excitement of those days when underdogs posed a real threat to the established giants.
However, the current balance of power in top-level European football suggests those giant-killing days may well be over. Nevertheless, two teams jump out as possible dark horses in the 2024/2025 Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, both of whom made the final of last season’s Europa League with the Italians coming out on top.
Leverkusen, will of course, not go through this campaign unbeaten unlike last season, as they’ve already lost in the Bundesliga. Nonetheless, they, along with Atalanta, remain resilient and formidable teams, capable of challenging any side in this year’s Champions League.
Atletico Madrid were one of Dortmund’s victims on their way to the final last season. However, Diego Simeone may feel their loss was more due to their own shortcomings than Dortmund’s brilliance and will believe his side can do much better this term. Having reached the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, Atletico’s price of 23.00 odds on Bet9ja to win the tournament this season is worth considering, especially after their heavy investment in the transfer market.
Inter Milan, beaten finalists in 2023, are also a team to keep an eye on. While they’ve not been convincing domestically so far, they do have the potential to make a deep run in Europe.
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Champions League Top Goalscorer Prediction
With nine goals in just four Premier League matches to start the season, Erling Haaland appears to be the clear favourite to finish as the top scorer in the 2024/2025 Champions League. Bookmakers agree, placing the Norwegian striker at the top of the betting odds at 3.75 on Bet9ja.
However, Haaland will face stiff competition from Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, both of whom shared the Champions League Golden Boot last season. They are currently second and third in the betting, with odds of 6.00 and 7.00, respectively.
Additionally, all three players are on teams that should make deep runs in the competition. Therefore, it would hardly be surprising if one of them emerges as the top scorer this season.
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UEFA Champions League 2024/2025 Matchday One Fixtures
Tuesday, 17/09
- 17:45 Juventus v PSV Eindhoven
- 17:45 Young Boys v Aston Villa
- 20:00 AC Milan v Liverpool
- 20:00 Bayern Munich v Dinamo Zagreb
- 20:00 Real Madrid v VFB Stuttgart
- 20:00 Sporting Lisbon v Lille
Wednesday, 18/09
- 17:45 Bologna v Shakhtar Donetsk
- 17:45 Sparta Prague v Salzburg
- 20:00 Celtic v Slovan Bratislava
- 20:00 Club Brugge v Borussia Dortmund
- 20:00 Man City v Inter Milan
- 20:00 Paris Saint Germain v Girona
Thursday, 19/09
- 17:45 Feyenoord v Leverkusen
- 17:45 Red Star Belgrade v Benfica
- 20:00 Atalanta v Arsenal
- 20:00 Atletico Madrid v RB Leipzig
- 20:00 Brest v Sturm Graz
- 20:00 Monaco v Barcelona
