Champions League group play had their final matches on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The knockout stage draw happens this Monday, Dec. 14. Check out information on rules regarding the draw as well as early analysis on the teams that look to have the best chances of winning the 2021 Champions League title. That said, let’s jump right into action so you can start preparing your bets against their Champions League odds.
Updated Champions League Odds: Info on Round of 16 Draw
2020-2021 UEFA Champions League Draw
- When: Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:00 am ET
- Where: Nyon, Switzerland
Champions League Round of 16 Teams
Seeded Squads
- Bayern
- Chelsea
- Dortmund
- Juventus
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Real Madrid
Unseeded Squads
- Atalanta
- Atletico Madrid
- Barcelona
- Lazio
- Leipzig
- Monchengladbach
- Porto Sevilla
How will the draw work?
The draw rewards seeded teams, those squads that won their groups. Seeded teams get to play at home in the second leg. Also, per the UEFA Champions League site, no team can play a team from their group or an opponent from their national association site.
So, Atletico Madrid can’t play Barcelona in the Round of 16. Liverpool can’t play Man City, Juventus won’t take on Lazio, etc.
The first matches happens on February 16, 17, 23, and 24. The second matches happen on March 9, 10, 16, and 17. The draw for the quarterfinals, semis, and finals happen on March 19.
Without looking at the draw, which favorites appear destined for Champions League glory?
Bayern Munich, the 2020 Champions League winner, was a +250 chalk to win before the knockout stage. Bayern dominated group play and will be a close to even money, if not even money, favorite to repeat.
Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool will offer second choice odds. PSG is an interesting team. They lost their first group play match but rallied for the group win. Bayern beat Paris 1-0 in the 2020 final, which tells us they can hang with Munich.
Liverpool has a decent chance, but Manchester City could be an underlay. City hasn’t been sharp in English Premier League play. They’ve looked great in their Champions League matches. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the Sky Blues go off form, though.
What seeded squads not among the chalk can take the title?
Of the seeded teams that will offer underdog odds, Juventus rates the top choice. Ronaldo is now healthy and Juve showed up big time in their last Champions League battle, destroying Barcelona 3-0.
Juventus should offer overlay odds because Liverpool, Man City, and PSG all made it to the knockout stage. If they don’t, Chelsea becomes the seeded underdog to back. The Blues are two points behind Tottenham and Liverpool on the EPL Standings. They’re playing great soccer no matter the opponent.
Not knowing the draw is there one or two unseeded teams that can win the Champions League?
Barcelona’s form is off. But Messi and his mates could turn things around before their first Round of 16 match. Give Barca a shot and consider backing them if they offer decent enough odds.
RB Leipzig rates as the best underdog to back, though. Leipzig drew 3-3 with Bayern the last time they faced the monster team from Munich. They beat Manchester United 3-2 in their last UCL match and lost by a single goal to Paris Saint Germain when they played Ligue 1’s best squad.
If you’re looking for an underdog with a chance, Leipzig is it. Atletico Madrid and Atalanta have turned their form around as well. So consider those two squads dogs with a shot to bark.
Have a great weekend!
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