After Man City’s dominant run to last year’s Champions League title, it’s no surprise to see Pep Guardiola’s team listed as the 2023-24 Champions League favorite at . Soccer odds have quickly been distributed for all 32 teams in group play following Thursday’s draw in Monaco.
As always, the draw yielded some interesting groups, but Group F of the ’23-24 Champions League is unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time. Paris St. Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Newcastle would all be considered favorites in some groups, but two of them will be going home before knockout play kicks off.
2023-24 Champions League Outrights
Here are the current odds for Champions League futures across the best sports betting apps in North America.
2023-24 Champions League Outrights Analysis
The 2023/24 group stage draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/kCTj9JfBFM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 31, 2023
Can Manchester City go back-to-back?
City not only won last year’s Champions League, but did so in dominant fashion, blowing out both Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals (4-1 aggregate) and Real Madrid in the semifinals (5-1 aggregate). Even after Kevin de Bruyne limped off in the 36th minute of the Champions League final against Inter Milan, City were able to win 1-0 despite Inter putting up a good fight.
Who can challenge Erling Haaland and company?
Though City lost a couple key players this summer in Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, this squad is deep enough that it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this team does not miss a beat. At just 23 years old, Haaland – who is coming off a record season in his first year in the EPL — could be even better in his second year in Guardiola’s system, which should terrify all of City’s rivals.
Bayern Munich sorely missed Robert Lewandowki in their first season without him in ’22-23, and they filled the void at striker with Harry Kane this summer. For a team that had everything but a consistent No. 9, the addition of Kane makes them as formidable as anyone in Europe.
Injuries have already taken a toll on Real Madrid (Vinicius has a thigh strain and Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao suffered torn ACLs) and plenty of questions surround Arsenal, Barcelona, and PSG. With that in mind, if there’s a compelling bet on anyone besides City, it’s Bayern at .
Top Welcome Bonuses for Soccer Betting Apps
New bettors can use sports betting promos to sign up and use bonus bets toward Champions League wagers. Learn more about each operator’s bonuses in your area below.