Champions League betting tips
Real Madrid trophy lift. After the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool. At NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium. On May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Getty.)
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The World Cup was sensational.
Arguably though, the best quality football seen anywhere in the world is in the Champions League.
The 2017/2018 Champions League was sensational, featuring some brilliant teams and fantastic ties.
However, Real Madrid won it again and we suspect fans of everyone else but Los Blancos will be keen to see a new winner.
With France victorious at the World Cup, could it finally be PSG’s time? Or will one of the English giants wrest the title from Real Madrid.
Let’s also not rule out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus, or perhaps another Spanish team in Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
Below is a team-by-team guide for the Champions League. Followed by a breakdown of the players that could finish the campaign as top goal scorer in the tournament known as “Big Ears”.
Can anyone stop Real Madrid?
Real Madrid won their third successive UEFA Champions League title in Kiev in May
Los Blancos become the first team since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win the European Cup three years in a row.
No team since Real Madrid themselves in 1959 has won the title four years in a row.
So, can Real Madrid, under a new manager, make some more history?
If not, who are the other contenders?
Real Madrid Champions League betting tips:
KIEV, UKRAINE – MAY 26: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid scores his sides second goal. During the UEFA Champions League Final. Between Real Madrid and Liverpool. At NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium. On May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
They may have won this competition in four of the last five seasons but due to all the upheaval that has occurred at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu since May’s final, it might be more difficult than ever for them to win it.
Just days after the final, Zinedine Zidane announced his resignation and left the club having won a staggering 9 trophies in two and a half seasons.
Julen Lopetegui has taken over but his record in club management isn’t that impressive and it remains to be seen how he will do this forthcoming campaign.
There is also set to be huge changes to the playing staff too.
Cristian Ronaldo has joined Juventus which leaves a huge void in Real’s forward line.
Florentino Pérez would love to add either Kylian Mbappé or Neymar, or both, to Real’s squad for next season but getting either out of Paris Saint Germain is going to be very very difficult.
It is impossible to know what shape Real are going to be in until all their transfers have been completed.
Generally, the bookies see the current holders, and side that had dominated the Champions League, as at best third favourites.
Real Madrid Champions League betting tips:
FC Barcelona
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 24: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates. After scoring his team’s third goal. During the La Liga match between Barcelona and Girona. At Camp Nou. On February 24, 2018. In Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The last team to win this competition before Real’s amazing three year dominance were their biggest rivals Barcelona.
However, the Catalan giants have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in all 3 seasons since.
Including last season’s catastrophic collapse, beaten 3-0 by Roma which saw the Italian side through on away goals.
Barcelona did win La Liga and Copa del Rey double last season in what was Ernesto Valverde’s first season at the club.
But it is European glory that Barcelona crave so will this year be their year again?
Barcelona Champions League betting tips:
Manchester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City celebrates his side’s fist goal with his Manchester City team mates. After Virgil van Dijk of Southampton scored an own goal. During the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton. At Etihad Stadium. On November 29, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola’s side conquered all before them last season domestically, winning the Premier League League and Carabao Cup double. And accumulating a record breaking 100 points in the process.
That was Man City’s third Premier League crown since Khaldoon Al Mubarak bought the club ten years ago, which is great but what the owners really want is European glory.
Last season’s quarter final exit to Liverpool meant that despite domestic dominance, The Citizens have only ever reached the last four of Europe’s premier club competition once.
Guardiola won this competition twice as manager of Barcelona and will be desperate to become the first manager to bring the European title to the blue side of Manchester
And if anyone can, Guardiola and this exceptional squad, can.
Manchester City Champions League betting tips:
Bayern Munich
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 25: Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Muenchen celebrates with James Rodriguez. After scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid. At the Allianz Arena on April 25, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Since winning their fifth European title at Wembley in 2013, the Champions League has provided only heartache for Bayern Munich and their fans.
They’ve gone out in the semi finals 4 times including last season’ss 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid.
There is a new man in charge in Bavaria though.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Niko Kovač has taken the position and, like any Bayern manager will be under huge pressure to deliver a European title.
However, there is a lot of speculation surrounding the futures of both Jérôme Boateng and Robert Lewandowski who, if they are to leave, will need to be replaced by top quality players.
It could be an interesting season for the Bundesliga champions but one things for certain, they will be there or thereabouts in the latter rounds of the Champions League.
Bayern Munich Champions League betting tips:
Paris Saint Germain
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 22: Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates after scoring his sides fourth goal. During the UEFA Champions League group B match between Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic FC. At Parc des Princes on November 22, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Since Nasser Al-Khelaïfi bought Paris Saint Germain in 2011, France’s capital club have won a staggering 19 domestic trophies including 5 Ligue 1 titles.
Domestic dominance isn’t what the cash rich Qatari owners are after though.
They want their team to be European champions but have seen their side crash out in the last eight four times and the last 16 in both of the last two seasons.
This led to Unai Emery’s dismissal so a new man, Thomas Tuchel, is tasked with becoming the first manager to lead PSG to European glory.
With amazing players like Ángel Di María, Marco Verratti, Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar at his disposal surely they will contenders this year, won’t they?
Doubts emerge when you think of the poor quality of the French league but France’s World Cup win illustrated just what a brilliant young player Kylian Mbappe is…
PSG Champions League betting tips:
Atlético Madrid
LYON, FRANCE – MAY 16: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates. After scoring the opening goal of the game. During the UEFA Europa League Final between Olympique de Marseille and Club Atletico de Madrid. At Stade de Lyon. On May 16, 2018 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images).
The losing finalists in 2014 and 2016, can Atleti and Simeone finally win the trophy they are so desperate to add to their cabinet.
They’ve had to watch their neighbours from across town win it 4 times in the last 5 years including twice against them, so can Simeone win the only trophy he’s never won as Atleti manager?
Last season’s Europa League victory in Lyon coupled with the news that star man Antoine Griezmann has decided to stay at Atlético means they should have a great chance.
Also with players like Thomas Lemar and Djibril Sidibé arriving at the Wanda Metroploitano, their squad looks arguably stronger then ever
Atleti are strong outsiders to lift the European Cup in their own stadium come May.
Atletico Madrid Champions League betting tips
Champions League betting tips: Top goal scorer breakdown
Last season, for the third season in a row, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League’s golden boot accolade en route to helping Real Madrid to their 13th European crown.
Amazingly that was the seventh time in Ronaldo’s illustrious career he’s won the award and he’s now the European Cup’s top scorer of all time with 120 goals to his name.
However, with Ronaldo arriving in Turin, will he be able to do it again this time with the Italian Champions or can someone else end his dominance?
Here are the ten leading contenders to win the Champions League Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates. After scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match. Between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. At Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images).
Lionel Messi has won the Champions League’s Golden Boot 5 times, most recently in 2015 when Barça last won the Champions League.
However, in each of the last 3 seasons the Catalan side have been eliminated at the semi final stage hindering Messi’s chances of scoring enough goals to pip Ronaldo.
Nevertheless in those 3 seasons Messi has managed to net 23 times, including 11 two seasons ago, and after a La Liga and Copa del Rey double in Ernesto Valverde’s first season at Camp Nou, Messi and everyone at the club will be desperate to end Real’s recent dominance.
Leo Messi Champions League betting tips:
Neymar
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 05: Neymar of PSG runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League group B match. Between Bayern Muenchen and Paris Saint-Germain. At Allianz Arena. On December 5, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
After a disappointing first season in Paris, and heartbreak at the World Cup with Brazil, can Neymar fire PSG to their first ever European Cup?
Neymar scored 6 Champions League goals last season, 3 of which came against Celtic, as the French Champions crashed out in the round of 16 for the second season running.
Neymar missed the decisive second leg at the Parc Des Princes and will certainly feel he has unfinished business due to the way his first PSG season finished.
His 27 Champions League goals leaves him joint second on the all time list of Brazilians, level with Rivaldo, and he will be confident of getting the 4 more he needs to overtake the legendary Kaká.
Neymar Champions League betting tips:
Kylian Mbappé
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 22: Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates. After scoring his sides fourth goal. During the UEFA Champions League group B match. Between Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic FC. At Parc des Princes on November 22, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Could Neymar’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé become the first Frenchman to win this award since Franck Sauzée in 1993?
The 19 year old forward has so far scored 10 goals in 17 Champions League games for Monaco and PSG and is coming into this season off the back of scoring 4 goals in Russia helping his national team to win the World Cup.
During France’s 4-3 win over Argentina, in which Mbappé scored twice, he really announced himself on the biggest stage and will be hoping to repeat this deep in the Champions League this season.
However, similarly to Neymar, there are question marks over how far PSG will go and it’ll be interesting to see how the Parisian side do under their new boss Thomas Tuchel.
Nevertheless, PSG will score a lot of goals in the group phase; last season they broke the record for group stage goals with 25 and if Mbappé is able to get a few of those he could give himself an early lead in the race for the golden boot.
Kylian Mbappe Champions League betting tips:
Robert Lewandowski
SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 03: Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Muenchen celebrates his sides first goal. During the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match. Between Sevilla FC and Bayern Muenchen. At Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. On April 3, 2018. In Seville, Spain. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
How about the reliable goal machine that is Robert Lewandowski?
A Bayern Munich player has won the European Cup’s Golden Boot on 6 previous occasions but question marks still remain over the Polish captain’s future in Bavaria.
Lewandowski and his agent appeared to be trying to engineer a move away from the German champions but, with very few clubs able to afford him, he may end up staying with Bayern.
However, wherever he’s playing his football, assuming it’s a Champions League club, Lewandowski will be a contender as he has scored 45 goals in just 72 Champions League appearances which is a very impressive record.
Harry Kane
NICOSIA, CYPRUS – SEPTEMBER 26: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides second goal. During the UEFA Champions League Group H match. Between APOEL Nicosia and Tottenham Hotspur. At GSP Stadium on September 26, 2017 in Nicosia, Cyprus. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Harry Kane won the World Cup Golden Boot so how about the Champions League equivalent for England captain Harry Kane?
Kane scored a staggering 59 goals for club and country last season including 7 in the Champions League as Spurs were knocked out by Juventus in the round of 16.
However, after an amazing World Cup with England, and with Spurs moving into a new stadium it is very possible that Kane could win this accolade and become the only the fourth England player to do so.
Harry Kane Champions League betting tips:
Romelu Lukaku
SKOPJE, MACEDONIA – AUGUST 08: Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United celebrates. After scoring his sides first goal. During the UEFA Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Manchester United. At the Philip II Arena on August 8, 2017. In Skopje, Macedonia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
How about a Belgian winner for the very first time and an eighth Manchester United Champions League top goal scorer.
Romelu Lukaku’s 4 goals in Russia helped fire Belgium to the World Cup semi finals and he’ll be hoping for something similar in the Champions League with Manchester United.
Lukaku did manage 5 goals in 8 appearances last season as The Red Devils were dumped out in the first knockout round by Sevilla but they’ll be hoping to go further and that Lukaku is able to net a few more along the way.
Manchester United may be 3 times European Champions but they’ve only managed 1 quarter-final appearance since 2011, and that was under David Moyes, so will they improve on that this season?
Romelu Lukaku Champions League betting tips:
Mohamed Salah
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 04: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates. After scoring his sides first goal. During the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match. Between Liverpool and Manchester City. At Anfield on April 4, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images).
Liverpool’s Egyptian King Mo Salah.
Salah’s staggering season was a large reason why they reached the final of this competition last May, losing out to Real Madrid.
The question is, can Salah do it again?
Salah scored 11 goals en route to the Champions League final. Including amazingly netting at least once against every different opponent Liverpool faced before the final.
In Kiev though, Salah was tragically taken off after a collision with Sergio Ramos left him unable to continue.
However, this heartbreak along with some of Liverpool’s exciting summer signings means there is a good chance of glory for Salah and for Liverpool this time.
Mohamed Salah Champions League betting tips:
Gabriel Jesus
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates. Scoring his sides second goal with Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City. During the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool. At Etihad Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
After a disappointing World Cup campaign, can Manchester City’s Brazilian marksman Gabriel Jesus fire his side to their first ever European Cup?
Jesus managed 5 Champions League goals in just 6 starts last season but will need to fight off strong competition from Sergio Agüero and nail down a place as Guardiola’s first choice striker if he is to win this award.
Nevertheless, with players like İlkay Gündoğan, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling creating chances for you, a top striker like Jesus is going to score goals.
Gabriel Jesus Champions League betting tips:
Antoine Griezmann
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Antoine Griezmann of Club Atletico de Madrid celebrates. After scoring his team’s first goal. During the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Malaga. At Wanda Metropolitano stadium. On September 16, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
After announcing that he is staying at Atlético Madrid, can Antoine Griezmann fire his side all the way to the final, which is of course taking place in their own stadium?
Back to back shock 1-1 draws with Azerbaijani Champions Qarabağ in last season’s group stage saw Atleti crash out and drop into the Europa League.
However, Griezmann embraced this competition scoring in every round including twice in the final as Atleti won it for the third time in their history.
Can Griezmann, now a World Cup winner, replicate that in the Champions League this season and add to 18 goals he’s already scored in the competition.
Antoine Griezmann Champions League betting tips:
Cristiano Ronaldo
TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 03: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid scores his sides second goal. During the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match. Between Juventus and Real Madrid. At Allianz Stadium on April 3, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Last but certainly not least: Cristiano Ronaldo.
The European Cup’s record goalscorer of all time with 120 goals in just 153 games will be looking to stretch his lead over Lionel Messi, now at a new club.
With Ronaldo’s move to Juventus now official, can he keep up his staggering goalscoring form in Serie A and fire Juve to their first European Cup since way back in 1996?
It is very had to say who’ll win the Golden Boot in May but the smart money would be on Ronaldo to keep his incredible form going.
But with change at Real, who knows who will be lifting the famous trophy in Madrid come what May.
