Champions League Odds After Group Stage Draw: PSG and Man City Top Favorites

• The Champions League draw took place on Thursday and we have some enticing fixtures ahead
• Early favorites PSG and Man City have both landed in the same group
• Find the full odds for all clubs and the preview below

The 2021/22 Champions League group stages are set after the draw concluded on Thursday in Istanbul. Numerous European giants are in the same pods, including PSG and Manchester City, who will be eyeing their first UCL title after revamping their squads over the summer.

Current title-holders Chelsea are also among the favorites to lift the trophy again, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich rounding out the top five.

2021/22 Champions League Odds

Odds as of August 27th at DraftKings

Here’s a look at each group:

All set for the 2021/22 season! 🤩

Which Champions League group are you most excited for?#UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/gpOCzlRtOd

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021

Will PSG, City Live Up to the Hype?

Two familiar foes will meet in the group stages in PSG and City, with the English giants knocking them out in the semifinals of last year’s competition. Paris has added reinforcements this summer with the goal in mind of finally conquering Europe. Headlined by the signing of Lionel Messi, PSG also brought in Sergio Ramos, Gini Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Achraf Hakimi.

The best part is that every new player was inked on a free transfer, except for Hakimi. Kylian Mbappe’s future is uncertain at the moment as Real Madrid tries to lure him away from the French capital but with time winding down in the window, he could be around this season. That being said, they could have arguably the most dangerous attack in world football with Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe leading the line.

City also did their own bit of good business, paying a record fee for former Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish. The Citizens could literally taste UCL glory in Porto, but they struggled to show up on the big stage, losing to Chelsea in the grand finale. The club has never won a Champions League but with an already rock-solid squad and Grealish now in the fold, Pep Guardiola will be aiming to finally lead his side to the pinnacle of Europe.

𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗔

We will face Paris Saint-Germain in Group A of the #UCL!

🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/aTTOzghjd8

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2021

With RB Leipzig and Club Brugge joining these two sides in Group A, they shouldn’t have any problem progressing to the knockout stages. There is the possibility of PSG and City meeting later in the competition again as well.

Does Chelsea, Bayern, Liverpool Offer Value?

The Blues are the reigning champions after all and look stronger than ever after signing Romelu Lukaku this summer to spearhead their frontline. The Belgian shined in his Chelsea debut and he brings a whole new dynamic to this side’s attack which could prove to be huge. They’ve landed in a rather manageable group, with Juventus their only threat. The Old Lady just lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United though and will certainly be a lot less of a threat in the Champions League as a result.

Any excuse to watch this from @romelulukaku9! 😅

Will he make it two in two against Liverpool?

Play Predictor is open! Win a £100 megastore voucher & signed shirt! 🎉

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2021

Bayern conquered Europe in 2020 after going undefeated through the entire campaign and frankly, the Bavarians would’ve gone further in last year’s tournament if it wasn’t for Robert Lewandowski missing both quarterfinal legs against PSG due to injury. They have a new boss at the helm in Julian Nagelsmann who is a brilliant tactician and also possesses the same core who won it all in Lisbon. Barca is a familiar foe in their group, but there’s little doubt Bayern will be in the thick of things when it’s all said and done.

One year ago today, Bayern won the Champions League to complete the treble.

Again 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/FJWQJtVmtw

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 23, 2021

Liverpool is an interesting club to keep an eye on. Their pod is a tough one, however, with AC Milan, Porto, and Atletico Madrid alongside them. But after an injury-riddled campaign last term, Jurgen Klopp has a full-strength squad again, with Virgil van Dijk patrolling the backline. Their attack is always a threat with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane proving to be a lethal duo and they’re aware of what it takes to excel in the UCL after lifting the trophy in 2019.

Man United a Dark Horse, Dortmund Fading

The Red Devils just pulled off the unthinkable on Friday with Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford 12 years after his illustrious career in Manchester. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side already brought in numerous reinforcements this summer such as Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, but Ronaldo is just the icing on the cake. Man U’s odds to win UCL glory have now adjusted from +1400 to +1000 or even shorter in some places since adding the Portuguese star.

OFFICIAL: CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS RETURNED TO MAN UTD 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Z7dM3UMDie

— GOAL (@goal) August 27, 2021

The Premier League title is now even more of a possibility, but the Champions League is also well in reach. United is in a group with Villarreal, who beat them in the Europa League Final in May. But, with the Red Devils’ improved squad, honestly, anything is possible for them in Europe’s most prized competition.

Dortmund’s Champions League odds have gone from +4250 in early August to +3300 right now, but I don’t see them standing much of a chance. Marco Rose’s men have looked poor in league play but they do have one of the easier groups in the competition. Expect them to easily advance to the knockouts, but BVB won’t make it past to the quarterfinals at the very best.

Champions League Best Bet

Obviously, we haven’t seen any of these teams play in the Champions League quite yet this season, but on paper, PSG is deservingly the favorite. From front to back, they’re absolutely world-class. That being said, the Ligue 1 giants are a good bet to finally lift the trophy.

Pick: PSG +300