Champions League Betting Preview: Futures Market to Win Outright

The first knockout stage of the Champions League is a few days away and punters are already piling on top of the many odds available in the BetUS outright market, as well as the upcoming round of last 16 market. Let us look at the outright market, where it currently stands and how clubs are trading.

In the Champions League outright market, defending champions Barcelona headline the field, listed shortest at +250 to win outright while Primera Division rivals Real Madrid, and Chelsea FC come in second in line to the coveted club title and level on price in the market, both offered at +450.

Barcelona finished at the top of Group F on 11 points but they were given a serious run for their money, by middleweights Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kyiv no less, which leads many to question not only whether Barca truly deserves to be the short-odds-on favourite but if the Catalan will even come through on those odds.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, was largely dominant in Group C, -- save for a hiccup against AC Milan they topped their group impressively. Many like the reasonable odds on them to win European football’s ultimate club title. Many like them period now that they have some of the best footballers in the world sitting on their bench.

Chelsea FC are viable contenders and at +450, they are a value play. They finished runner-up two years ago to Man U and reached the semis last year. Many feel this year is finally their turn after threatening to win the title over the last two years.

Conversely, some believe they already had two good shots that they bungled up pretty badly. How many more can they get, really? Maybe they are doomed to be a “nearly so” club.

Premier League giants Manchester United, who won the title two years ago and were finalists last year, and Arsenal FC are co-listed at +800. Man U and Arsenal are considered the dark horse clubs this season.

Man U have a successful history in the European competition and Sir Alex Fergusson is a respected coach, if not a genius amongst coaches. Two years running they were the favourites in the competition but the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid changed that and saw them demoted to dark horse this season. Nevertheless, one cannot discount them from the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have never won the European title. Arsene Wenger would love that feather in his cap and he certainly has a capable squad with which to accomplish the feat – but still, they are more than a dark horse in my opinion. They are the pretenders.

Other outsiders of note in this competition are Bayern Munich, Sevilla and Inter Milan, trading at +1400. AC Milan and Bordeaux carry a large price of +2500 but could punch above their weight class. Priced out of the market are Fiorentina at +4000, Lyon and FC Porto at +6000, Stuttgart +15000, Olympiakos at +8000 and CSKA Moscow at +10000.

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