Champions League 2023-24 Odds: Manchester City Remains the Top Favorite in the Race
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League is edging closer to the business stage of the competition, with the knockout rounds on the horizon.
The Group Stages are yet to be concluded as teams still have two games left to play across Matchdays 5 and 6, but there are some that are looking a little clearer than others about who will be in the next phase of the tournament.
Manchester City were last year’s champions, so there will have been many who have been watching the Premier League club closely. Given their drawing in Group G alongside Red Bull Leipzig, FK Crvena zvezda, and BSC Young Boys, it is perhaps unsurprising that they are getting through unscathed.
The holders are currently one of three teams (Bayern Munich and Real Madrid) to have yet to drop any points through the opening four games, with Pep Guardiola’s side dominating when they take to the pitch. They have scored 12 goals in those games while conceding just three thus far. As a result, it is hardly a surprise that they have already sealed their place in the next stage of the competition.
Manchester City remain favorites to win the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League
Considering they have yet to truly be challenged and have fixtures against Leipzig (at home) and FK Crvena zvezda (away) still to play, not many are expecting them to slip up at this stage.
Their first true test of this year’s competition was always likely going to be in the knockout stages, as the draw could pit them against a team of a stronger calibre. However, with this in mind and possible eventuality, it does appear the bookmakers still have a lot of faith in what City might be able to achieve this season.
Despite having struggled to win the competition in previous years, Guardiola’s side are favorites to win it again and become back-to-back champions. The bookies that offer the best Football odds have made the Premier League side 2/1 favorites to retain the title at this stage of the competition. Bayern (4/1) and Real Madrid (13/2) are the main challengers, while Arsenal (8/1) and Paris Saint-Germain (14/1) complete the top five contenders.
Can Man City realistically achieve the impossible?
Going back-to-back as champions is difficult to achieve in any tournament, but the Champions League has been one of the hardest for clubs. Only Real Madrid have managed it in the modern era, with Los Blancos managing to go one better and winning it three times in a row (2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18).
Of course, Man City are no strangers to getting the job done and have been able to accomplish trophy feats that appeared to be impossible once before. They have been able to win the Premier League the last three seasons in a row and continue to get stronger, thus suggesting that they have what it takes to be able to repeat success in a competition as fierce as the UCL.
However, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid both in fine form and looking to assert their own strengths in European competition, will the Cityzens be able to retain their title?
Harry Kane has been nothing short of magnificent for the German Bundesliga side, with the England forward scoring for fun. If he can find his boots for Bayern in European competition, there is every chance that the Bavarians could spoil the party.
The same can be said for Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, with the youngster playing beyond his years. But, with the Spanish club’s history in this special tournament and their know-how, it is often a title that is almost theirs before a ball is kicked. Los Blancos have a special affinity with this event, and they very rarely ever go down without a fight.
Man City will be ready for UCL fight
City will want to try and avoid both of these sides – and potentially hope they face each other so one gets eliminated – if they are to go on and have a great chance to win. However, with that said, Guardiola’s side can beat anyone on their day and will not fear who they go up against.
Champions League football is truly special, and a club like Man City are hardly going to give up their status as European club champions with ease. It is easy to understand why they are the betting favorites at this stage, and at this moment, it is hard to disagree with.
