Champions League Winners Betting Tips

With the group stages of the Champions League approaching closure, it's time to take a look at how the competition is progressing and attempt to unearth the likely winners of the tournament. It's fair to say that last year's victors Barcelona have not looked quite so good this year. Perhaps they have been missing the injured Samuel Eto'o, who is likely to be out until at least March next year. However, while the Cameroon striker's absence is clearly being felt, key man Ronaldinho has not been at his brilliant best so far this term, while a number of other important players within Frank Rijkaard's squad have not been at the top of their game. It could be that Barca will step up a notch if they reach the knockout stages. To say 'if' would have seemed unthinkable before Group A commenced. But the reigning champions have failed to win in their last three fixtures in this competition, and they simply cannot afford any further mishaps when travelling to Levski Sofia, and then when entertaining Werder Bremen. Whatever fate awaits Barca, their arch enemies Chelsea have sailed through to the knockout stages with aplomb. The Blues are probably worthy of their status as favourites to prevail - at the time of writing, they are a top-priced 4/1 with Ladbrokes - but one team continues to be underrated, and that is Gerard Houllier's Lyon, who can be backed at a tempting 9/1 with VCBet. It's stating the obvious to say that the French league in which Lyon ply their trade is nowhere near as competitive as the Premiership, La Liga and Serie A. However, Lyon's dominance on the domestic front cannot be disputed. Five time champions in the French first division, Lyon won their first 17 matches in all competitions this term. Their bubble was burst against lowly Rennes in their Ligue 1 clash on November 4, but every side is susceptible to the occasional blip. Indeed, Lyon have generally been rampant and have yet to concede a solitary goal in their opening four Champions League matches in Group E, carrying all before them with solid performances, the highlight of which was arguably their 2-0 beating of Real Madrid in Paris on September 13. Technically, Lyon are irresistible. Their impressive midfield enforcement's include Florent Malouda, who was so impressive for France during their World Cup campaign and has translated that form to his club. In addition, Tiago has played as well as any other player in the Champions League thus far this season, and Brazilian Juninho is as good as ever, despite being just a couple of months away from his 32nd Birthday. Strikers such as Fred, Govou and Wiltord are more than capable of mixing at the highest level, while Gregory Coupet is a safe pair of hands protecting behind a highly organised and dogged defence. In essence, Lyon are strong in every area of the park and they play with real cohesion, something which is missing in many of the top sides. French clubs do not have a great record in the Champions League: since the tournament was born in the 1955/56 season, Marseille are the only side from France to win this competition, a feat they achieved during the 1992/93 campaign. But the current Lyon side has an enormous chance of providing their nation with an overdue success in Europe's premier club tournament. Runners-up in 2005/06, Arsenal could once again make their presence felt if their key players remain fit, and Man Utd's Premiership form has been electric. As such, if they translate that to this sphere, they will be a force to be reckoned with. But it wouldn't be surprising to see Chelsea live up to their billing and fare best of the Premiership sides in this competition. Jose Mourinho's men boast a wealth of collective experience in this glittering tournament and the strength in depth of their squad will stand them in good stead, as it will on the domestic front. The Blues are the team to beat in the competition for this reason, but if they were to lock horns with Lyon along the way I reckon that Houlier's charges will outfox the Blues. Italian giants AC Milan and Inter can never be discounted, although neither strike me as likely winners this term. Valencia look potentially more dangerous, as tactically they are a highly efficient outfit, and could easily go a long way in this tournament. If Werder Bremen qualify ahead of Barca in Group A, and it's possible that they will, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the German side go further than their current odds of 50/1 suggest they might. verdict - 2pts Lyon to win the Champions League @ 9/1 (VCBet)