#1-Barcelona
Two weeks of UEFA Champions League action is behind us; each team has one team left to face before the 2nd leg matchups commence. Barcelona has taken their chances and overtaken Real Madrid at the bookmakers in their probability of collecting the trophy.
Barcelona was drafted into Group G alongside Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros. They have already faced the stiffer competition in Juventus and Kiev, leaving a frail Ferencvaros as nothing more than prey.
Nothing is impossible, but it would take a complete meltdown for Barcelona to fail in qualifying from their group. A 5-1 dominant victory against Kiev, followed with a 2-0 defeat of Juventus gives them a great advantage.
The Bookmakers Opinion – The first two matches are behind us and with Barca’s dominant outings they have moved to 14/1 favourites above their rivals Real Madrid.
Another interesting gamble to question is Lionel Messi sitting as the favourite to capture the most goals. He’s priced at 6/1 and could return a profit without his team winning the tournament.
#2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s successes during the start to their 2020/2021 La Liga campaign have failed to transition in European competition. A comfortable 2nd place position in La Liga a step up in celebration compared to the bottom position they sit in group B.
The Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk entered as the underdogs but sat in top position after the first two games. An underwhelming performance from Madrid gave Shakhtar the full three points on an opening day. Both favourites of the group Inter Milan and Real Madrid are both respectively, but with the reverse fixtures still to play, have more than enough room to capture Shakhtars four-point lead.
The Bookmakers Opinion – The opening odds favoured Real Madrid to win the group, and they still have hope. The price is more generous above evens, but the bookie does not hold faith in the underdog’s repeating performances.
With that said, a price of 20/1 to capture the trophy sends Real Madrid to the back of the elite-club list of favourites.
SportsbookReview will be following the Champions League predictions as they are updated after each scheduled fixture.
#3 Atletico Madrid
A Spanish underdog in Atletico Madrid was outclassed by the German giants Bayern Munich in the opening fixture, but progression was made with a 3-2 defeat over RB Salzburg.
Atletico winning the entire tournament seems like one of the unlikely outcomes but securing their place into a quarterfinals position is not unimaginable.
A trip to Lokomotiv Moscow in the 3rd matchday of the UCL tournament is matched with a heavy La Liga schedule, 5th place should keep them at ease against one of the lesser talented squads.
The Bookmakers Opinion – Atletico are just behind their counterparts Real with a price of 25/1 to capture the trophy. The probability is low, but their chances of reaching the final stages are more likely.
#4 Sevilla
The least likely Spanish side to collect silverware Is Sevilla, and much like Barcelona their La Liga season has not gone to plan thus far. However, they have managed one win and one draw in the UCL to claim a second-place position.
Sevilla should find it easy to join their Spanish counterparts by qualifying to the next stages; It wouldn’t be a surprise if they finished top of their group given Chelsea’s questionable defence.
The Bookmakers Opinion – 33/1 odds for Sevilla to win the 2020/2021 UCL trophy, more interestingly, 1/1 on Sevilla to win group E. If there is value to be found from the Spanish clubs right now, Sevilla to win the group seems viable.
Final Thoughts
We can’t be sure a Spanish club will capture this years UCL trophy, but the four clubs involved should finish 1st or 2nd in their respective groups. Barcelona’s off-pitch dilemma’s leave little faith, while Real Madrid’s rocky start to the competition has left them undesirable.
