Ladbrokes Free Bet and 2013 Champions League Odds Preview
- By Allan Pederson on July 3, 2012 16:50 GMT
We all know that football never really stops and it appears as though we've got Champions League fixtures (albeit extremely early ones) kicking off in just a couple of days. While none of these sides playing in the first qualification round are going to be ones that actually have odds listed to win the thing, it still makes for interesting watching.
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With about a month and a week until the major European leagues begin, this is pretty much all we've got so you'd better enjoy it.
Barcelona are going into this one as the favourites to win back their Champions League title. In fact, it appears as though both Spanish powerhouses are getting the pre-season edge to boss the Champions League. Punters will find Barca trading at around 5/2 at this point with Real Madrid's odds to win the Champions League priced at 7/2 or so. That's relatively competitive, especially when you see that high-flying Manchester City are well off the pace at a 5/1 price. Their cross-town rivals Manchester United are trading at 7/1.
Chelsea fans who genuinely believe that the Blues can defend their title and kick on to defend their Champions League will be able to lock in a solid 10/1 price on them to do so. Depending on their group stage draw you could see that price adjusted.
Finalists Bayern Munich are usually in the upper tier of contenders for Champions League glory and, based on last year's dominant performance, you may be surprised to see them considered the sixth favourites with a 14/1 margin out there at the moment. Juventus sit just a bit off the pace at 16/1 while AC Milan are trading at 20/1.
Arsenal are well off the pace at 25/1, with just Borussia Dortmund priced shorter than them with a listing around 22/1 at the moment.
Celtic and FC Copenhagen both trade at 500/1 and are the longest shots currently on the board. Other notables include Schalke at 80/1, Valencia at 50/1 and PSG (who will be loaded for bear this year as they appear to be in the hunt for several major signings) can be backed at a relatively competitive 28/1.
