CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BEST BETS

UEFA / Soccer

Written by Aaron Cantin

As we enter the business end of the season, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Villarreal are the only teams that can still dream of lifting the famous trophy in Paris on May 28.

Having won a mammoth 19 UCL titles between them, Real Madrid (13) and Liverpool (6) are in familiar territory. The Spanish powerhouse clinched a famous three-peat between 2016 and 2018 before the English giant reclaimed the crown in 2019.

On the flip side, Man City and Villarreal have the chance to create history. Can Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad finally fulfill its potential? Or will Villarreal secure an unlikely triumph against all the odds?

Source (Background Photo): UEFA

Speaking of odds, let’s kick things off by checking out the latest Champions League winner odds. I will then look at all four teams before sharing my Champions League predictions for the semi-finals and beyond.

Liverpool+125

Manchester City+125

Real Madrid+500

Villarreal+2000

There is almost nothing to separate Liverpool and Man City. Although the Reds are marginal favorites to secure the silverware, the Cityzens are right alongside their EPL rivals.

The bookies are giving Real Madrid a fighting chance of clinching the title. But if Carlo Ancelotti’s men want to get their hands on the trophy, they will need to get past Man City in the semi-finals.

Unsurprisingly, Villarreal is a heavy underdog. The “Yellow Submarine” is a minnow compared to the other three clubs, so Liverpool is expected to sink the underdog in the semi-finals. Now that we’re up to speed with the latest UCL winner odds, it’s time to assess the 2022 Champions League SF odds.

The semi-finals begin on Tuesday with Man City hosting Real Madrid. On Wednesday, Liverpool welcomes Villarreal to Anfield for the first leg of their clash.

The second legs are scheduled to take place on May 3 and 4. Here are the Champions League odds for the semi-final’s first legs.

Manchester City (-190) vs. Real Madrid (+475)

Liverpool (-360) vs. Villarreal (+900)

As you can see, the home teams are favored to dominate the first legs. Despite Real Madrid’s UCL history and current form, the bookies believe Man City should gain a first-leg advantage. Meanwhile, Liverpool is heavily favored to get the better of Villarreal on home soil.

That’s the 2022 Champions League semi-finals odds covered. Here are my best bets for the semi-finals and ultimately to hoist the trophy when all is said and done.

UCL Semifinal Leg Best Bets

Manchester City Wins & Over 2.5 Total Goals (+116) vs Real Madrid

Manchester City will want to come out strong at home and take a commanding lead in this Champions League matchup. They won only 1-0 at home and had a grueling second leg in the previous round against Atletico Madrid, so back the home side to put two or three goals in the net and take a big lead in the first leg here.

Real Madrid is always a threat to score with Benzema, so a 2-1 or 3-1 final score could be in the cards. Madrid’s defense was exploited by Chelsea in the second leg of the quarterfinals, so City will look to do the same here as well.

Liverpool Wins & Both Teams Score (+170) vs Villarreal

Villarreal scored in both legs against Bayern Munich and has no fear playing on the road during this Champions League season. Liverpool has been an offensive wrecking ball of late and will have the home crowd behind them in the first leg.

Liverpool scored three goals in each quarterfinal game against Benfica and showed no signs of slowing down. Another 3-1 victory is on the cards here for Liverpool at home, and don’t be surprised if Villarreal grabs a goal on the road in the first leg.

Champions League Winner Best Bets

Manchester City (+140)

I like Manchester City to win the Champions League over Liverpool because of the slight value we get here. Man City has had Liverpool’s number in the Premier League so far this season, though Liverpool just ousted them from the FA Cup in the semifinals last weekend. If the two teams meet in the finals, it will be a fantastic game, and both teams would be pretty evenly matched.

City’s fitness level will be the most important factor for them, as they played without goalkeeper Ederson, defender Kyle Walker, and star mid-fielder Kevin De Bruyne in their FA Cup semifinal after all three got banged up in their UCL quarterfinal game against Atletico Madrid. Man City needs all three to be healthy to beat Real Madrid in the semifinals and win the title this season.

UCL Sleeper Pick To Win

Real Madrid (+525)

Not many people gave Madrid a chance against Chelsea in the quarterfinals, but they proved them all wrong. Benzema is arguably the best striker in the world right now and almost single-handedly willed Madrid past Chelsea.

If Madrid can get past Manchester City, then they will feel like the title is theirs for the taking. City is a completely different opponent than Chelsea, working through the midfield instead of the wings to create chances. This is great value to sprinkle some on Real Madrid to win it all because they’re never out of any game with Benzema.