The Champions League is finally back, with a few massive clashes to kick off the season in matchday 1. Naturally, that also means plenty of UEFA Champions League betting opportunities, with a total of 18 matches per round. CL’s new format has proved thrilling last season, and it will surely provide some interesting matches this year as well.
In our Champions League betting preview, we’ll cover the most important aspects for bettors. Those include the new format, betting markets, Champions League outright winner odds, and a few tips and betting strategies.
The New Champions League
The CL changed its format last year, introducing a league instead of a group phase. The number of teams has expanded to 36 as well, with each team playing 8 matches against drawn opponents. Instead of a double-header home and away, teams are randomly drawn to 4 home and 4 away fixtures.
At the end of the league phase, a total of 24 top teams progress to the knockout rounds. There have been on changes to this phase of the CL, with the exception of the eliminated away goal rule.
Due to no strategies in the league phase as teams are not playing return legs, the new Champions League format has been highly effective in terms of goals. Smaller teams play with confidence, especially at home, as they have nothing to lose. Favorites know that every point counts, which contributes to the magic of soccer betting.
Champions League Betting Markets
Canadian bettors can enjoy a range of popular Champions League betting markets. We’ll cover some of the most popular ones you can find at the best bookmakers for the Champions League in Canada.
- Match winner: the most popular CL betting market by far. Match winners allow bettors to pick the side most likely to win the match.
- Outright winner: the Champions League outright winner odds are posted at the best Canadian bookmakers long before the season begins. This market allows bettors to predict the winner of the trophy, which means they should wait until the season’s end to check the result.
- Top scorer: another exciting CL betting market, the odds for top scorers are usually lucrative. With the best European teams competing for the trophy, there’s no shortage of stars to bet on.
- Totals: the over/under or totals market lets bettors predict the total number of goals in a match. It’s called over/under because bettors must predict if the totals go over or under the line set by the bookie.
- Live Champions League betting: live Champions League betting markets can be lucrative provided you dig through them all. Plus, predicting the next team or player to score or get a yellow/red card is much more exciting than sticking to match winners.
Instead of a single CL betting market, bettors can also create accumulators to boost the returns. Reading some Champions League accumulator tips can help you identify the best possible bets for a winning accumulator that returns great profit.
Champions League Outright Winner Odds
Champions League futures betting is one of the highlights of every CL season. Bettors love to predict which team goes all the way through, which is especially challenging with the new format in place.
Regardless, we have the outright winner odds listed below which most Champions League predictions experts believe have the top chances of winning the tournament.
| Team | Odds |
| Liverpool | 7.00 |
| Barcelona | 7.00 |
| Arsenal | 7.00 |
| PSG | 7.50 |
| Real Madrid | 9.00 |
| Manchester City | 10.00 |
Champions League Betting Strategies and Tips
There’s no shortage of drama when betting on the UEFA Champions League. Having the right tips can make a world of difference between wins and losses. Our Champions League betting tips focus on insights such as team form, head to head records, and in-play betting opportunities to help bettors spot value in Champions League odds.
Watch Each Team’s Form
Soccer clubs compete on multiple fronts each year, not just the Champions League. It can be exhausting for players to play 2-3 matches per week, and this can impact the team’s form. Study it in detail and watch out for the latest injury news before placing a Champions League bet.
Home Advantage Matters More Than Ever
With the new CL format, home advantage matters more than ever. Most Champions League odds slightly favor the home teams, who typically perform better in front of their own crowds.
Focus on Goal Markets
Champions League matches usually feature attacking and attractive football. Instead of match winners or outrights, bettors should take a deep look at the goal markets (totals, both teams to score) to get the best value.
Bet Responsibly
Responsible gambling is in the focus of all top sports betting sites in Canada. Manage your bankroll properly, don’t go all in, and bet with a cool head to get the most out of your wagers.
Best Bookmakers for Champions League Betting
When choosing a sports betting site for Champions League betting, it’s important to choose a licensed and verified option. No need to navigate the crowded betting market yourself. Below you can see the top-5 CL betting sites in Canada with proper licensing for a safe online betting experience.
| Bookmaker | License |
| BetPlays | Anjouan |
| Stake | Curaçao |
| Sports Interaction | Kahnawake Gaming Commission |
| Sportsbet.io | Curaçao |
| 22Bet | Curaçao |
Final Thoughts
With the CL just kicking off, there will be plenty of betting opportunities in the coming months. The season is long and always exciting, and with Europe’s top teams in the mix, entertainment is guaranteed.
Canadian bettors can look forward to the top Champions League betting markets available at the sites we recommended. The best bookmakers for Champions League football also come packed with Champions League betting offers, which can be of great help when betting on the matches.
Sign up at one of the best Champions League betting sites and back your favorite team!
