Champions League Odds: Everything You Need to Know
Champions League odds are often misunderstood because of the strange nature of the competition itself. You can focus on either the group stage or the knockout stage, as both phases have distinct characteristics. For those that like high Champions League odds, the group stage is fertile soil for winning slips, due to the fact that not much is known about how the teams match up. The real bonanza starts in the knockout stage, where each moment is heart-wrenching. To master Champions League betting, focus on a few markets, follow the best tipsters, and read our insights.
Every bettor needs Champions League odds in their arsenal, and that’s a widely-known fact. Even though the staple of most pros’ betting slips are usually first division leagues throughout the old continent, everyone saves a place for some good CL action on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This isn’t because the competition is so iconic. It’s lucrative, too.
For those looking to improve their bankroll management, Champions League odds are a great way to asset your dominance when it comes to surefire singles and accas. The rather pronounced unpredictability results in high odds being all over the place, giving you a chance to win consistently with just a little bit of research.
To show you how to score big wins and bet like the pros, we’ve decided to break down the entire competition. Champions League odds are so much more than mere numbers or statistics – they are the result of the way the CL takes place, as well as a multitude of other factors. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from football predictions, betting tips for the champions league to the proper use of betting stats.
How the Competition Works: Qualification Criteria as a Basis for Champions League odds
The Champions League started its life as the European Cup in 1955, with a total of 16 teams trying their luck in this new competition. Real Madrid were the first team to be proclaimed winners, as they took down Stade de Reims 4-3 in 1956. In total, Real won five titles in a row, which is a record that still stands today.
While there were some significant rule changes in the next few decades, the defining moment for Champions League odds was when the competition got its current name in 1992. It became a round-robin tournament, with countries now being allowed to field multiple teams in the same season.
Currently, Champions League odds reach their peak in the knockout stage. However, we can’t disregard the importance of the group stage. Here’s how the whole process goes:
The competition consists of 32 teams from countries that are members of UEFA. Champions League odds greatly depend on the quality of football in a certain UEFA member country, but this is just the beginning.
To determine how many teams from one country can qualify, the UEFA coefficient is used. This number takes into consideration all the success a country has had in the last five seasons, both club-wise and national-team wise. The top 5, England, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, get to send 4 teams, while others get spots in the qualification rounds. Which round they start in depends on the country’s UEFA coefficient, resulting in many first and second-round byes. Usually, Champions League odds on these teams are high if they manage to claw their way to the group stage.
Once everyone has qualified, a draw is organized. Now, according to many, this event is a major factor in determining Champions League odds, potentially for the duration of the season! Teams, depending on their domestic league and CL performances, are placed in tiers. No two teams from the same tier can be in the same group, which results in the following set-up – one great team, one good team, one average, and one below-average team.
There are eight groups, each consisting of four teams. They play games in a round-robin format, where each squad meets the other three, both home and away. Whether a fixture is home or away greatly affects Champions League odds, especially if an underdog has a rowdy crowd.
The top two teams from each group advance into the knockout stages, where a draw is again held. In the knockout stage, two teams selected to play one another play two games, one on each team’s home turf.
As for the Final, it is the only game that doesn’t occur in the form of two legs. The two teams meet in a pre-determined location, which means that the stadium is neutral and evenly divided when it comes to supporters.
So, what conclusions can we make? Obviously, Champions League odds on a certain team greatly depend on the UEFA coefficient of the team’s country. No matter how dominant a team is, they won’t be favored, especially if they had to go through several rounds of qualifications. It’s also worth noting that Champions League odds are based on mid-season changes, as well as a certain team’s reputation in European competitions.
All of this prevents us from determining a select few variables, which makes understanding Champions League odds a tad more difficult than usual. Before anyone whips out their betting calculator, it’s worth mentioning that Champions League betting odds have one distinct advantage – the stage-based format of the competition.
Which Stage Has the Best Champions League Odds?
Unlike leagues, which are played in the same manner throughout their duration, the Champions League features two stages – the group stage and the knockout stage. Experts on Champions League odds are mostly divided when it comes to preferring a certain part of the tournament. You will find that most professional punters prefer the knockout stage, as it has much fewer variables than the group stage. During the group stages, Champions League odds are often altered by situations such as when a team ‘tanks’ their last game because they are guaranteed a first-place finish in the group.
Of course, if the odds are good enough, you shouldn’t shy away from Champions League odds for group stage matches. In this kind of situation, we recommend over/under markets, especially when Portuguese or Dutch teams (they’re known to score a lot) play.
Champions League Odds: The Basics
When it comes to finding the best Champions League odds, there are tons of markets for each available match. Nevertheless, it’s these three markets that reign supreme over all others.
- Match outcome (1×2). You’re guessing how will the game end – with a win, draw, or loss. This includes injury time, too.
- Over/under goals. When two teams have their goalscoring output analyzed, oddsmakers post a certain scoring margin. You can on whether the total number of goals will exceed or be below this margin.
- Handicap. To make things more interesting, handicap bets allow you to bet on the way a match is played. The favorite doesn’t have to just win – they have to win by a certain number of goals. As for the underdog, they can lose, but not by too many goals.
Champions League Odds for Who Will Win the Title
While everyone loves to use a betting algorithm on a carefully prepared accumulator bet, there are bets that are considered far riskier than others. As far as Champions League odds are concerned, that’s the Who Will Win the Trophy bet. Unlike most other markets, this one lets you determine the winner before the first group stage match even starts. What’s so special about it?
This type of future bet often gives you low chances at a big win, as it’s impossible to determine what will happen during the group stage. When Champions League odds are calculated, the most important factors are performance in the previous CL season and league performance this season, as most first division leagues start in mid-to-late August. Furthermore, due to its uncertain nature that betting market allows you to shop around bookmakers and find which bookie offers the greatest odds.
Even the best betting tips from a verified tipster can’t help you if you want to capitalise on Champions League odds if you do not have the basic right in place. Before you start using tips or bookmaker offers, you need to understand the gravity of details in this betting niche. As most betting algorithms are based strictly on league play, we wanted to point out some key details. The following strategies are ‘endemic’ to Champions League odds, and mastering them can help you prevail:
- Know a team’s focus. If you’re in a situation where a team you’re betting on is having a bad season in the league, reassess their focus. Sometimes, they can realise that a league title is less important than a Champions League title (i.e. Real Madrid 2016) and rest players as a result.
- A long qualification journey results in fatigue. More often than not, teams who start their CL season in June are the subject of most high Champions League odds. These teams have little to no rest over the summer, which can definitely take a toll come January.
- Use a bookmaker bonus. Unless you’re absolutely sure about whether you’re going to play at a certain sportsbook, you should always go bonus-hunting. Rewards such as free bets can aid you, especially during riskier nights during the group stage. Even if a bookie’s Champions League odds are spectacular, always check the fine print to see what the conditions are.
- Focus on props for a bigger profit. For those of you that are well-versed in player-specific stats, props are an ideal way to boost some power into your bankroll. Focus on notable goalscorers for goal markets, while holding midfielders can be the focus of your card/foul markets. It’s all about striking a balance – props should be no more than 50% of your acca, regardless of how sure you are.
