Betting: Manchester City 9/1 to win the Champions League after impressive win

Jim Knight

Betting: Manchester City 9/1 to win the Champions League after impressive win image

The Champions League group stage is underway and there were few, if any, major shocks in an opening round of action which largely went to form.

Real Madrid barely had to get out of second gear against APOEL Nicosia and still lead the market at 7/2 (4.50) but PSG's 5-0 victory at Celtic has seen them shorten up to 11/2 (6.50) second favourites with dabblebet.

While Glasgow has sometimes been a tricky place for Europe's top sides to go, Unai Emery's men breezed through the game. With the imperious front three of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe all on the scoresheet, the bookmakers certainly believe the Ligue 1 outfit have made the step from knockout stage fodder to genuine contenders after a summer of high-profile spending.

Lionel Messi Barcelona Juventus

Barcelona saw off Juventus and remain at 6/1 (7.0) alongside Bayern Munich, who also got off to a winning start.

Manchester City (9/1 from 10/1) put in one of the most eye-catching displays, thumping Feyenoord 4-0 on the road. Guardiola's side are really starting to click, especially going forward and their attacking riches spell trouble for both domestic and European opposition this term.

Basel were no match for the red half of Manchester either but the injury to Paul Pogba tempered that result, with United still 11/1 (12.0) in the outright market. Just how serious the France international's hamstring issue is remains to be seen but he looks set to be side-lined for at least three weeks and that's a big blow after he started the season so well.

Chelsea (16/1) feasted on a display of slack defending by Qarabag, the perfect warm up for their upcoming London derby against an Arsenal side who play late on Thursday against Koln in the Europa League.

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The Blues have tougher Champions League tests to come in the form of Roma and Atletico Madrid through, so while this win was important, it's understandable to see Conte's men at bigger quotes than both Manchester clubs, despite finishing above both of them last term.

Tottenham were as big as 40/1 (41.0) after the group stage draw was made but are now 28/1 (29.0) to win the tournament with dabblebet after a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

Liverpool were the only English side that failed to win, missing a penalty at 2-1 up against Sevilla before conceding a late equaliser to the side that beat them in the 2016 Europa League final. Jurgen Klopp's men certainly have plenty of firepower but the doubts that remain over their defensive stability could prove fatal, especially in the later rounds. The Merseysiders are 20/1 (21.0) with dabblebet in the outright market.

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Jim Knight