The group stage in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League is underway. The first slate of games began on September 6 and will continue on until 16 teams advance to the knockout stage. If you need betting advice on who will end up 2023 UCL champs then you’ll want to stay reading for expert advice!
Before we go any further, let’s take a gander at the current Champions League odds as set by the best betting sites for soccer. Among the 32-team field, these clubs are favored most to win it all:
| Club |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Man City | +250 | +250 |
| PSG | +500 | +500 |
| Liverpool | +550 | +550 |
| Bayern Munich | +650 | +650 |
| Real Madrid | +900 | +900 |
| Tottenham | +1400 | +1400 |
| Chelsea | +1600 | +1600 |
| Barcelona | +2000 | +2000 |
2022 UCL Futures Betting Picks
The way we see it, figuring out who NOT to put money on matters just as much as who is deserving of it. That’s why we’ve decided to break up our 2022 UCL futures betting picks into do’s and don’ts. We’ve chosen two popular clubs for each category and are listing them below for you:
Do Bet Man City
The odds-on favorites to win the UCL are every bit deserving of it. City are drawn into a group alongside Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen and should have zero problem coming out. However, it’s the group stage where worries begin. City has suffered upset defeats each of the past two seasons deep into the playoffs — losing to Chelsea in the 2020 finals then in the 2021 semis. Can this team finally get the monkey off its back (they remain title-less in UCL)?
We think so because this isn’t the same City team as before, and that's a good thing. No, it now features ex- Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who is off to a dazzling start with the club. The 22-year-old has already torched the Premier League for 10 goals. Either there’s been no “adjustment period” for the phenom in England’s elevated style of play, or Haaland could get even better as the year wears on. Him and new forward Julian Alvarez have City to an unbeaten start in league play.
City is a no-brainer bet to us here. Winners of four of the past five EPL titles, it’s only a matter of time until that same success translates into the Champions League. Haaland — arguably the best goal-scorer in all of football currently — will be the much-needed difference-maker City needs at last.
Do NOT Bet PSG
PSG, like City, are usual chokers in the Champions League. The talent is there — Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar — to win it all, but as tortured bettors of this team for many years, we can’t advocate for a bet on them anymore. We think about the classic saying, “fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us.” Welp, PSG has fooled us multiple times now.
We’ve seen cracks already form for Paris this season. Mbappe famously threw a temper tantrum in-game for not receiving a pass. And Neymar is always a ticking time bomb emotionally. Messi, while more stable, hasn’t won a Champions League since 2015. As good as each player is individually, we can’t trust them to put it together as a group and win. No way.
Do NOT Bet Liverpool
Liverpool is off to a horrendous start in the Premier League and their UCL odds are sinking in tandem. The Reds have won only two of six league games. Sure, they’ve only lost once outright, but this still feels like the club’s worst start under Jürgen Klopp. Most the blame is, fairly or unfairly, falling on superstar Mo Salah. He’s been largely ineffective upfront, scoring just two goals.
But it’s not just Salah. Every Liverpool player is underperforming — from usual stalwarts Virgil van Dijk to new signing Darwin Nunez. Klopp isn’t the type of manager you want to completely disregard, but this team’s lack of production is startling. Therefore, it’s best to avoid The Reds right now.
Do Bet Tottenham
Tottenham are always in the title mix and we expect no different in 2023. They’re off to a hot start in the Premier League on the backs of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min. The attack isn’t far behind PSG for most vaunted offense in the world. But unlike that group, the Spurs play a more ego-less game — one that’s less likely to blow up at any point unlike Paris.
Here’s another stat worth remembering: Kane has a 104.4 minutes-per-goal-ratio. That’s fourth-best worldwide behind only the aforementioned Haaland, Messi, and Mario Gómez. He might not get the credit, but Kane is also a game-changer. That’s a nice “ace in the hole” to have if you’re Tottenham, one that could “spur” them deep into the UCL tourney.
How To Bet On Champions League Soccer?
The best place to bet on Champions League soccer is at one of the bookmakers listed in the underneath table. Every single UCL game will be available for betting here. That includes bets on moneylines, spreads, over/under, props, and futures. What's more, your first bets on these platforms could be free of cost if you leverage a sign-up bonus. Free play — to the tune of $500 to $2500 — is earned as soon as you deposit money into the sportsbook. After that, it's off to the races!
