Top favorites in 2023/2024 soccer: PL, La Liga, Bundesliga & Serie A
With the football season having only just kicked off across Europe, there will be many around the world that will already be looking at placing bets on the outcome of the continent’s biggest leagues once the 2023/24 season is all said and done.
Betting on the title race and the team to finish first has always been one of the most popular wagers that punters make, as it can help to enhance the viewing experience that they receive. With almost ten months of football typically being played in a top league competition, there can be a lot that can happen on and off the pitch.
Many like to get in early when betting because they can take advantage of odds that may provide more value compared to those that may be listed later on in the season. For instance, some may prefer to place a wager on a team they feel is a dark horse before a ball is kicked, as the odds will be larger.
But if they perform and produce what would be described as a miracle, odds could shrink during the season. Those that got on early will be paid at what they wagered on, though. The prime example of this would be Leicester City’s unlikely 2015/16 success, when bettors at the beginning of the year could have benefited from odds of 5,000/1.
Some punters can only ever hope that an outcome like that happens, although most will typically look at what the opening betting markets say. Provided below are the favorites of four of Europe’s biggest leagues – England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A – and the accompanying odds at the time of writing.
Premier League
- Man City (1.53)
- Arsenal (6.00)
- Liverpool (9.50)
- Man Utd (12.00)
- Chelsea (20.00)
- Newcastle United (20.00)
According to soccer betting established for this Premier League season, Manchester City continue to remain the strong favorites to win the title once again. With the squad that Pep Guardiola has available to him, and a hope that Erling Haaland can contribute in the same way he did last season, many will likely want to back the Cityzens. Arsenal are the closest challengers and with the additions of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, as well as David Raya, the Gunners will hope they can close the gap and challenge once again after coming so close last season.
La Liga
- Real Madrid (1.73)
- FC Barcelona (2.75)
- Atletico Madrid (9.00)
- Real Sociedad (54.00)
- Villarreal (74.00)
- Real Betis (81.00)
Not quite a two-horse race, but most will feel that Spain’s La Liga is only really between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Atletico Madrid have challenged in the past and won, but the league is typically dominated by the El Clasico pairing. It is unsurprising the bookmakers have gone down this route again, and Los Blancos are the early pacesetters, thus making them the favorites.
Bundesliga
- FC Bayern Munich (1.25)
- Borussia Dortmund (6.20)
- RB Leipzig (12.50)
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (36.00)
- Union Berlin (76.00)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (81.00)
Usually a one-team league, FC Bayern Munich have dominated German soccer for as long as many can remember. They have won the Bundesliga title 11 consecutive times, and with the addition of Harry Kane to their strikeforce, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they added another this year. Dortmund may have a chance, but the loss of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid is going to likely hurt them significantly in any chase that they may create.
Serie A
- Inter Milan (2.80)
- Napoli (4.00)
- Juventus (4.33)
- AC Milan (7.00)
- Atalanta (15.00)
- AS Roma (17.00)
Italy’s Serie A is perhaps the league that is closest to call and one that provides a little more intrigue. Inter Milan are the current favorites to win it this season, but the 2023/24 season could be won by Napoli (who are the defending Scudetto champions) or Juventus realistically. Even AC Milan have a solid chance if they are able to get things going on the pitch given the talent of their squad.
