After going through the circle of favourites yesterday, it’s time to determine who will win the Champions League this year.
Champions League Betting Odds
The easy answer would be a Spanish team, Barcelona or Real Madrid to be exact. Seven of the last ten titles have been won by one of the two, including the last five. However, the reign has to end at some point. This year, there are plenty of challenges, starting with last year’s runner-ups Liverpool.
Liverpool? Perhaps
The Champions League is a competition where the best team doesn’t always win. It’s usually a mix of quality, current form/momentum, luck, and injuries. As we’ve seen quite often recently, teams not doing well in their domestic leagues can cause chaos in Europe’s elite tournament. Liverpool and Roma weren’t among the teams predicted to go far last season, and while Roma will struggle to repeat their success, the emergence of Mohamed Salah keeps The Reds right at the top. They are as likely to get eliminated in the first round as they are to win it all, but with the support of the Anfield crowd and the ability to score goals at will, I wouldn’t bet against them.
Champions League Betting Odds
Atletico Madrid? Probably not
PSG showed last night they are (once again) not ready to mount a serious challenge. Atletico Madrid has had a poor start to the season, but then again, so did Real Madrid last year. Diego Simeone is a proven winner and his team is one of the most difficult to knock out over two legs. Los Colchoneros are as talented as ever, but the fact the final is being played at their home Wanda Metropolitano stadium goes against them. Borussia Dortmund was the last team to win the CL trophy in their home country (1997 in Munich), while Real Madrid (1957) and Inter (1965) are the only teams to win the competition at their own stadiums.
Bayern Munich and Manchester City? Close, but not close enough
Much like the German national team, Bayern Munich always gets far. However, Jupp Heynckes is the only man who was able to get them over the hump and he’s not with the club anymore. With only one CL trophy in the past 15 years and a new coach at the helm, it’s not Bayern’s turn to reclaim the throne, at least not yet.
Manchester City is a team ready to take the next step. Year one under Guardiola was a test, year two earned a Premier League title, so logically, year three should bring a Champions League title. Except, Guardiola hasn’t been able to reach a Champions League final without Messi. Until he does, there’s no reason to trust The Citizens.
Champions League Betting Odds
2018/19 Champions League Final Prediction
Juventus acquired the one player who prevented them from winning the crown. Cristiano Ronaldo is part of Allegri’s team now, and as such, they must win, right? Not so fast. Yes, Ronaldo is Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer. Yes, Ronaldo has won five Champions League titles, including the last three. Yes, he’s the co-best player on the planet and has the ability to determine the outcome of any game on his own. But, there is another fish in the pond. His name is Lionel Messi.
Juventus vs Barcelona
A dream final between Messi’s Barcelona and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo never came to life. It might not be perfect, but Barcelona and Juventus meeting in the 2018/19 Champions League final in Madrid is pretty close. Who will win? It’s anyone’s guess.
