Man City already favourites for next season Champions League

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They may have been outgunned by Liverpool in the quarter-finals last season and Real Madrid might have won three in a row, but Manchester City have been installed as favourites for the 2019 Champions League by the majority of major bookmakers. It’s always a tough call for bookmakers to release the odds at the start of the summer, especially in a World Cup year when big signings are guaranteed to happen after the tournament ends.

The question, however, is can you find a bit of value before the Champions League kicks off? Below is a run down of the top teams and their odds for the 2019 Champions League: see if you agree with the bookmakers’ assessment (all odds from Coral).

Manchester City: 9/2

The jury is out on whether Guardiola’s men should be favourites. Sure, they were arguably the best club side on the planet for large swathes of last season, but at times they seemed somewhat naïve. It can take a while to hone a Champions League-winning team – City might not yet be ready.

Paris Saint Germain: 11/2

If the bookmakers are brave putting City as favourites, putting PSG in as second-favourites ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid is an even bigger call. They have the same qualities as Manchester City – unlimited resources, dominant in the domestic league – but they have not yet proven their mettle when it matters in Europe.

Aguero and De Bruyne in Man City

Aguero and De Bruyne in Man City

Real Madrid: 6/1

Three-in-a-row and four out of the last five for Real Madrid, but can new manager Julen Lopetegui capture lightning in a bottle like predecessor Zinedine Zidane? Despite recent success, there is a sense of a rebuild happening at Real Madrid. Perhaps they will let someone else win it this year.

Barcelona: 6/1

Having Lionel Messi in your team guarantees that you should be considered among the favourites for any competition you enter. Some were critical of Barcelona last season, despite the fact that they strolled to La Liga title with the minimum of fuss. They are just too good to rule out however.

Bayern Munich: 7/1

Is it fair to say that Bayern Munich have disappointed in the Champions League over the past few seasons? Domestic success is almost guaranteed for Munich, but they would really need to make it back to the Champions League Final before we can consider them among the very, very best again.

Manchester United: 14/1

This could look like a big price if Jose Mourinho spends big money in the summer, which he probably will do. Both Mourinho and the United hierarchy will be keen to get them back to where they perceive themselves to belong – at the business end of the Champions League.

Atlético Madrid: 14/1

There is a sense that this Atlético Madrid side will not stay together forever. Too many players – Griezmann, Koke, Saul – could move for big money. Of course, with Diego Simone still, for the moment, at the helm, Atlético can outmuscle any side in Europe.

Liverpool: 14/1

Should those odds be considered a bargain for last year’s runners up? Or did Jurgen Klopp miss his big chance? Lots of punters will be drawn towards the former as Liverpool seem intent on reinforcing an already excellent attacking line-up.

Juventus: 16/1

A bit like Bayern Munich, Juventus are no longer judged by success in the league. However, they look a little short when coming up against Europe’s elite teams. 16/1 seems about the right price to put on their hopes.

Sources: theguardian.com / football365.com

Gabriel Jesus in Manchester City

Gabriel Jesus in Manchester City