With Europe's premier club competition returning this week, we take a look at the market to be crowned continental champions in Milan in May where Luis Enrique's side lead the way
Luis Enrique's side are aiming to make history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the Champions League and indeed the Blaugrana are on course to potentially repeat the treble they claimed last year.
Barca are top of La Liga and in the final of the Copa Del Rey, and their last 16 opponents in Europe, Arsenal, will have an extremely tough time trying to contain Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Just behind Barcelona are Bayern Munich at 11/4 (3.75) with the Germans close to wrapping up the Bundesliga title already yet knowing that manager Pep Guardiola will be departing for England at the end of the season. The manager himself will be keen to leave on a high by sealing another European crown, although there is a feeling that perhaps Bayern are not quite at their best.
The same cannot be said for their last 16 opponents Juventus who have won 15 straight Serie A games to sit top of the table in Italy and Max Allegri's team are likely to provide Bayern with quite a test. Juve are offered at 25/1 (26.00) to win the title which they narrowly missed out on last term, while third favourites are Real Madrid who are priced at 5/1 (6.00) to be crowned champions of Europe for an eleventh time.
It has not been a vintage season for Los Blancos but on more than one occasion in their history they have salvaged a domestically disappointing campaign with European glory. Elsewhere in the betting 2014 finalists Atletico Madrid are offered at 12/1 (13.00) and Los Rojiblancos boast the continent's best defence, which should help them progress to at least the latter stages.
Offered at the same price are Manchester City who have a winnable looking tie against Dynamo Kiev, although the Blues' recent form in the Premier League does not inspire much confidence.
There will likely be some money for Paris Saint-Germain who after consistently making the quarter finals over the last few years will be desperate to go one better and they look like a healthy outside bet at 14/1 (15.00) providing they come through their game with Chelsea who themselves are offered at an optimistic 16/1 (17.00).
0 comments:
Post a Comment