Way-Too-Early 2026 UEFA Champions League Betting Favorites
17-06-2025
Source:
Unsplash
The dust has barely settled on the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign and Paris Saint-Germain`s ultimate victory. The French giants have gunned for the biggest prize in the European game ever since being taken over by their Qatari owners back in 2011. But despite ongoing efforts, the trophy continued to remain elusive.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar were all brought to the Parc des Princes with the sole purpose of winning the Champions League. None of them were successful, but in the Parisians` first campaign without any of those three superstars in their squad, they would go on to claim the crown.
A new-look side managed by former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and led by a fearsome front three of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia proved far too hot for the rest of the continent to handle. They thumped Inter Milan 5-0 in the
most lopsided final in history in May, a result that handed them the famous big-eared trophy for the first time. Next season, the bookies make PSG contenders once again, but who else are considered the favorites to compete for the crown?
Liverpool
Arne Slot`s Liverpool romped to Premier League glory last term, and online betting sites think that their success could translate onto the continental stage next term. The latest odds from the popular
Bovada betting site currently make the Reds the 11/2 favorites to win the UEFA Champions League next season, and considering their exploits domestically last term, they could very well be the team to beat.
Despite their successes in their homeland last season, though, their continental campaign fell apart. Liverpool were dumped out in the round of 16 after losing out to eventual champions PSG. The two-legged tie saw the Reds win 1-0 in Paris despite being comprehensively outplayed. In the return fixture, the Parisians won 1-0, before winning on penalties after heroics from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Next season, Liverpool appears poised and ready for more success. However, there is somewhat of a rebuilding job underway at Anfield. Long-term right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has now departed for the bright lights of Real Madrid; however, he has since been replaced by Bayer Leverkusen man Jeremie Frimpong.
Florian Wirtz is also
expected to swap the BayArena for Anfield in the coming weeks, and further transfer dealings are expected throughout the summer. How quickly those new signings adapt to Arne Slot`s style of play will determine just how much success the Merseysiders will have next season.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are currently positioned as a 13/2 second favorite, and it’s impossible to overlook their Champions League pedigree. Los Blancos have dominated the European stage over the last decade, claiming six of their record 15 titles in the last 11 years. Last season was somewhat of a disappointment, though, missing out on all three domestic trophies to archrivals Barcelona, while a thumping 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal saw them exit the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage.
Looking ahead, Madrid’s acquisition of the aforementioned Trent Alexander-Arnold looks to be a game-changer. The right back position was arguably the Spanish giants` sole weak spot after a season-ending injury to veteran captain Dani Carvajal. Now, new manager Xabi Alonso is armed with arguably the best right back on the planet, in addition to his vast array of riches, such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham.
Real`s experience on the biggest stage makes them perennial contenders. They remain Europe’s most successful club for a reason, and it would take a brave punter to bet against them claiming a record-extending 16th title next season.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta has attracted plenty of attention, but the Spaniard heads into the 2025/26 campaign under pressure for the first time during his reign. When the club`s former captain took over as manager, the Gunners were in the doldrums. Under Arteta`s watch, they have emerged as genuine contenders both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
But despite being contenders, Arsenal remain without a solitary piece of silverware in four years. To make matters worse, their archrivals Tottenham won a trophy last season as they beat Manchester United to win the Europa League. Now, after years of building and trusting the process, Arteta must deliver a trophy, and the bookies think he has a 7/1 chance of winning the Champions League.
Last season was Arsenal`s best on the continental stage since they reached their final for the first and only time way back in 2006. The North London side managed to thump reigning champions Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, courtesy of not one but two stunning Declan Rice free kicks. However, in the semifinals, they were comfortably dispatched by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain, and the pressure is on to reach the final at the very least next season.
