2020 UEFA Champions League: Liverpool +600 Odds to Repeat, Man City Favored at Odds of +450

• Liverpool +600 to retain the 2020 Champions League
• Manchester City installed as +450 favorites
• Value with Juve, Atleti and Bayern

Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League triumph at the weekend – they beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid – was the sixth-time the club had won Europe’s biggest prize. Opening odds for the 2020 competition have them installed as second-favorites, behind Manchester City

UEFA Champions League 2020 Odds

*Odds taken June 4, 2019. For a full list of teams visit the link in the table

Manchester City heads the betting – ironic given they are yet to get even close to winning the Champions League or its predecessor, the European Cup. This, based partly on the fact they have limitless funding courtesy of owner Sheikh Mansour, but also due to them winning the English domestic treble this season.

New Faces at City

Some summer additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad will no doubt strengthen it ahead of their Champions League quest – something that will loom large in the blue half of Manchester as it is the only trophy now missing from City’s collection.

Having fallen at the quarterfinal hurdle last season, there is now unquestionably pressure on Guardiola to deliver City’s owner the Champions League trophy.

Premier League points won by Pep Guardiola's Man City across the past two seasons:

2017-18: 100
2018-19: 98

They have dropped just 30 points across the past two campaigns. 😳 pic.twitter.com/k5IBBt6LIv

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 12, 2019

Pressure on PSG

The other team who find themselves in a similar position to City are PSG. They too have hugely wealthy Middle Eastern owners who see a Champions League trophy as part of the ‘project’, but so far they have fallen well-short, despite being equally as well-funded as City.

As fourth-favorites, at +800, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on PSG’s summer transfer activity to see if their squad is further bolstered with top international quality that will edge them closer to the biggest prize.

Liverpool, as +600 second-favorites, will be looking to make it three Champions League finals in as many seasons and such is their resilience and desire under Jurgen Klopp, this remains a distinct possibility. But, with the Champions League trophy in the cabinet, their Holy Grail now becomes the English Premier League title. As such, we’re not sure there’s any value in the 6/1.

Big Summer Ahead for Spanish Giants

For the two Spanish giants – Barcelona and Real Madrid – a big summer of rebuilding awaits. Some experienced and established players on both sides are likely to be either phased out or joined by some younger stars from other European clubs.

At +650 many punters will be tempted, as Barca are always there or thereabouts, but with the financial might of Real Madrid and with Zinedine Zidane back in their dugout there is arguably more value in Real’s +900.

Real Madrid finally complete £52million deal as Zidane lands first summer signing. pic.twitter.com/QwicRePkRb

— Jayson (@skygist24) June 4, 2019

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are where the value begins and, in many ways, where the betting starts to get interesting. Both are well established among Europe’s elite and both, on their day, are capable of mixing it with City, Barca, PSG and the Spanish big boys. Neither should be written off at this stage and their summer transfer activity should be watched with interest.

Having fallen at the quarterfinal hurdle last season, there is pressure on Guardiola to deliver City’s owner the Champions League trophy

Value With German Champions

And then we come onto Bayern Munich – the German champions who are currently being quoted at +1400. For us, this is where it gets really intriguing. The Bavarians haven’t lifted the Champions League trophy since 2013, but having won the last seven Bundesliga titles will be looking to claim the big prize again.

While Bayern may not have the financial clout of some, they have experience of competing at the highest level and are very well coached and highly organized – qualities that, allied to having quality players, can take you a long way in this competition.

So, at this early stage, and in the spirit of having a speculative bet, our money would be on Die Bayern.

Our pick: Bayern Munich +1400