Is there a better sign of top-tier football than it being a part of UEFA? Probably not, as the European governing body oversees some of the strongest club and national competitions on the planet. Featuring the best clubs and the biggest stars, it makes sense that all of the games are closely followed every time there is a tournament. This is especially true now when the new format is out in which UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League are revamped with more teams and more matches being played. Add to it the UEFA Nations League with international windows every few months and that is a full slate of high-quality competition during the better part of the year.
In this article, we take a closer look at these four competitions in an effort to bring you the latest odds and forecasts. Furthermore, we will be examining the already ultra-competitive 2024/25 Premier League season. If you are a fan of European football as well as an enthusiast of online sports betting, the information here will do you good. Chances are your favorite team is soon playing so you have to know against whom and what does it means for their chances to take the title. Read on to learn more about what is shaping up to be one of the best seasons of football on the old continent.
UEFA Champions League: Early Predictions
Starting with the highest of the three, the UCL has officially entered a new era where we now have an actual league phase with all teams in one table, as opposed to the groups. Already it seems like a positive thing as there have been plenty of games we would otherwise not be able to have. There are 36 clubs, more than before, which means more matches. Each team plays 7 other teams but only once, 4 times and home and 4 times away. After the halfway point, it is only Liverpool with all 4 wins, followed by several teams with 3 wins and 1 draw. Of course, the heavy hitters are fairing far better than the outsiders and newcomers and there are still 5 teams with 0 points on the board.
Sporting, Monaco, Brest, and Inter all have 10 points and are ranked from second to fifth. Who would have guessed that some of those teams would be so successful to start things off? Then there are Barcelona, Dortmund, and Aston Villa with 9 points, followed by Atalanta, Man City, Juventus, Arsenal, and a few others with 7. Such a variety of clubs from different countries is beautiful to see all in one place and it is a positive thing for European football as a whole. Next up, matchday 5 awaits us with some great matches.
On November 26, SK Slovan Bratislava is hosting AC Milan and is a huge underdog. The odds confirm it as the Slovak team has 12.00 odds to the Italian’s 1.25. It will be an easy game for one of the best Serie A sides and another 3 points on the board.
Atletico Madrid (1.67) is visiting AC Sparta Prague (5.20) in another lopsided affair where the strongest team should have no problems scoring several goals. There is a 3.65 odds on 4-5 goals, a good option for this game. Odds for the draw are set at 4.10.
While Milan is away, FC Inter Milano is hosting a game at their shared stadium and RB Leipzig is the guest. The struggling team has yet to score a point and is not in the most favorable of positions. Inter is the clear favorite with 1.47 odds over 6.80 that Leipzig has. It might be a high-scoring affair, too.
How about a definition of lopsidedness? FC Barcelona (1.15) is hosting Stade Brestois 29 (18.00). No further analysis is needed there. Expect to see Barca’s third team take the court. Bayer Leverkusen (1.22) is a clear favorite over FC Salzburg (12.00) and the odds confirm it.
In the clash between Sporting and Arsenal, the Portuguese side is on fire and fresh off a beating of Man City. Therefore, the odds are only slightly favoring the English side with 2.40 to 2.90. This should be an amazing game to watch considering recent events.
Speaking of Man City, they are hosting Feyenoord, and Haaland and Co. should have a field day and finish things off in the first half. Betting on City (1.19) is a no-brainer as the Rotterdam side has no chance (14.00).
A duel between BSC Young Boysd and Atalanta BC could cause surprises as the host plays well at home. Still, they are the underdogs with 7.00 odds to the Italian team’s 1.43. It seems like all Italian teams will win their next UCL games, a great thing for Serie A.
The final game on Tuesday will be played in Munich as Bayern hosts a well-known foe, PSG. The Germans are the favorites as the French lack the depth and form to keep up. Betting on the home team gives you 1.66 odds while the French win would mean 4.70x of your bet.
On Wednesday, November 27, 9 more games will be played, none more important than Liverpool hosting Real Madrid. The English side is atop the standings and a favorite with 2.19 over the defending champ’s 3.20. The Spaniards are in poor form and this game could prolong their misery.
FK Crvena Zvezda (4.90) is hosting VfB Stuttgart (1.66), SK Strum Graz (2.95) is playing host to Girona (2.36), and Celtic will be the favorite in their home game against Club Brugge (3.55). In a game where the sides are evenly matched, Bologna (2.60) is playing in front of the home crowd against LOSC Lille (2.80).
In an English-Italian derby, Aston Villa is a favorite against Juventus. Imagine that! Their great form in the Premiership gives them 2.39 odds over the Turin team’s 3.05. Way to go Villa! At the same time, PSV Eindhoven (1.45) will welcome Shakhtar Donetsk (6.80) and be the clear favorite.
Further south, AS Monaco hosts the nearby Benfica. This is another balanced match, but the host does have an advantage with 2.15 over 3.30. It should be a win for the Principality. Finally, Dinamo Zagreb will play host in the capital of Croatia to Borussia Dortmund. The Croats are on fire and despite being the underdog at 4.50 to the German’s 1.74, they could yet again make great effort and win 3 more points.
UEFA Europa League: Latest Odds
Following the same new format, things are much more logical in the second tier of European club competition. From first to seventh, it is Lazio, Ajax, Galatasaray, Eintracht, Anderlecht, Athletic Club, and Tottenham. Lyon, Rangers, and Man Utd have been struggling a bit, as have Roma and Porto. Still, great games are being played. At this moment in the season, Stake forecasts Tottenham to take the tile at 4.50, followed by Man Utd at 6.50 and Lazio at 10.00. It is still early, but it does make sense.
Matchday 5 brings a whole slate of games, but not all of them are of the same quality. Certain derbies capture more attention, particularly Real Sociedad hosting Ajax and Tottenham hosting Roma. Sociedad is the favorite with 1.70 to the Netherlands side’s 4.50, while Tottenham is the obvious frontrunner at home with 1.75 to 3.75. Playing both of these games and wagering on the home teams could be a nice little payday or a boost on a larger betting slip.
UEFA Conference League: Chelsea Cruising
The newly formed third-tier of Europe’s club football is an interesting competition, to say the least. It was a worry of many that a strong club could fall low enough and end up playing in it, which happened with Chelsea. The Blues are the absolute favorite to add to their European trophy cabinet after 2 UCL and 1 EL titles. It is a nice incentive and it guarantees that adds to the team’s aspirations of winning it. Right now, they are at the top of the standings with 3 wins in the first 3 games and a goal difference of 13.
The title is literally theirs for the taking and the sportsbooks agree. At the moment, the odds of Chelsea winning it are 1.91. Following, but not that close, is Fiorentina with 6.50, then Real Betis with 7.00. Other teams are of much lower level, form and talent-wise, and include Heidenheim (17.00), Vitoria Guimaraes (21.00), and Gent (34.00). Matchday 7 on November 27 and 28 brings us some good games, including Panathinaikos (1.25) hosting HJK (9.00). Chelsea is playing Heidenheim away in what could be a preview of the potential final.
UEFA Nations League: Top-level International Games
Hopping away from professional teams and towards international duty, the next window of Nations League games is upon us. It is a great break from club football, but also a chance to get better and help your country towards an important title. At the moment of writing, it makes perfect sense that the European and Olympic champions Spain are the favorites to take this Nations League campaign. The 2024/25 winner odds favor them at 4.00 over Germany (5.00), France (5.50), Portugal (5.50), and Italy (7.00). But the end is still far away as it is only matchday 5 out of 6 right now with the knockouts still approaching. So what about those immediate odds and forecasts?
The next slew of games will be played on November 14 and 16. Austria (1.25) is visiting Kazakhstan (11.00), Armenia (1.57) is hosting the Faroe Islands (5.80), and North Macedonia (1.51) welcomes Latvia (6.20). These three games are not as big and the favorites should handle the business. On the other hand, the amazingly hot Greece (4.90) squad is hosting England (1.74) in what can be another tumble for the favorites on paper. Greece is first with 12 points and England is second with 9. A win for Hellas at home could spell disaster for the group favorite and make their life hell. They did manage to beat them in London on October 10, winning 1-2, so a home win is not far of reach. If you are a fan of sports betting, look no further than this game.
Another derby awaits us when Belgium (2.55) hosts Italy (2.85) in what is a clash between two teams that are looking for their new identities. As the old guard retired, it is time for new players to make names for themselves and this is a great proving ground for it. In their neighborhood to the southeast, France (1.14) will have a field day against Israel (20.00).
Portugal (1.36) will take care of business against Poland (8.40), Scotland (3.50) will have a tough time containing Modric and Croatia (2.14), and Spain (1.70) should score a handful of goals on their trip to Denmark (5.60). A frequent matchup in recent several years, Switzerland (1.83) is hosting Serbia (4.60) who are looking to beat the favored team once again.
Premier League: Liverpool or Manchester City?
Last but not least, how about a quick look at the most competitive domestic league on the continent? Things are quite the same at the top of the standings as Liverpool has a 2-point cushion over Manchester City. It seems it is going to be another season between these two recent champions.
Nottingham Forest is surprising everyone and is on their way to European football next season. They are third with 19 points, in front of both Chelsea (2.75) and Arsenal (2.55) who are battling it out tomorrow, November 10, in another classic London Derby. As for the outright bets after the third of the season is over, bookies are still favoring City with 2.50 in front of Liverpool (2.75), Arsenal (4.25), and Chelsea (17.00).
As for the top scorer, Erling Haaland has it locked already as he leads the odds with 1.22 and an already incredible tally of 11. Mo Salah follows him with 9.00, then it is Cole Palmer with 13.00 and Ollie Watkins with 23.00.
