Kylian Mbappe will be even more dangerous playing for Real Madrid (Picture: Getty Images)
A new season, a new format, the same old winner. That’s the 2024/25 Champions League in a nutshell.
Of course, there’s a strong case for Manchester City to win the prestigious tournament and Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona and Inter Milan will be strong candidates as well.
The biggest club match in European football will be played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, May 31 and there would be no better way for Harry Kane to end his long wait to lift a trophy than by doing so on home turf.
Arsenal must come into the reckoning as well, although their unwanted record of playing 211 matches without winning the competition, stretching back to when it was the European Cup, doesn’t help their cause.
They are excellent at reaching the knockout stages but usually flame out after that and it is a similar story with Paris Saint-Germain, who flatter to deceive. They have lost feared finisher Kylian Mbappe and that is a huge obstacle to overcome.
Although City can’t be ruled out entirely their focus will be firmly set on winning a fifth straight Premier League title in what could be Pep Guardiola’s last season in charge, with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup cluttering up an already hectic schedule to further complicate matters.
Pep has 109 victories in 170 games in the Champions League as a manager and City look as good as ever at the start of the new domestic season so it’s no surprise they are the 11/4 favourites with Ladbrokes, Coral and a raft of other bookmakers.
The most likely winners, however, must be Real Madrid. The reigning champions are chasing a 16th success in the tournament and have lifted the trophy twice in the last three years.
Adding Mbappe to their attack strengthens their credentials and they are 7/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair to enjoy further celebrations next summer.
Robert Lewandowski can score goals galore for Barcelona in the Champions League (Picture: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
France forward Mbappe is 6/1 with Bet Victor to be the leading goalscorer although Robert Lewandowski is worth an each-way flutter as Barcelona look a much better side with Hansi Flick in charge at the Nou Camp and he could flourish.
Meanwhile, Serie A champions Inter Milan reached the final two years ago when they gave City a run for their money and are worth backing each-way at 25/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair and bet365.
• Kevin de Bruyne is 8/1 with Unibet, BetMGM and BetUK to provide the most assists in this season’s Champions League.
• Stick Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Inter Milan in a 10/1 treble with Betway to be their countries top teams after the league stage is completed.
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