Champions League Predictions
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Predictions - Qualifiers & Playoff Picks
The return of the UEFA Champions League is nearly upon us, with soccer fans eagerly anticipating the brand new look for the 2024-25 campaign of the most prestigious European competition.
Yes, UEFA have given the tournament a huge revamp which will have more of a league-like feel to it. It is the first radical overhaul since the competition was rebranded in 1992. The knockout phase will be familiar, but a 36-team single league will replace the familiar Champions League group stage for the 2024-25 season.
Rather than splitting 32 teams into eight groups of four, the new-look Champions League will feature more teams and more variety, as each club plays eight different opponents. In this in-depth guide, we will assess the nature of the league stage, including the playoff draw, divulge some soccer predictions, and reveal the betting types available on Stake's betting platform for the Champions League for sports enthusiasts to latch onto.
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Schedule
The Champions League qualifying stages conclude with the playoffs in late August before the draw takes place on 29 August. This draw will determine the fixtures that each club plays during the league phase. The draw, which adds teams into four seeding pots based on their individual club coefficients, will determine which opponents they face during the league stage.
Although all 36 teams will play in the same league, they’re matched up with eight different opponents. No matter which teams they face during the league phase, every club will play four home fixtures and four away fixtures. In addition, teams won’t get drawn against opponents from their domestic league and can only play a maximum of two sides from the same country. This means Premier Leagu e teams won’t face other PL teams and can only face up to two teams from La Liga or Serie A, for example.
Because the new format features two additional teams and eight fixtures rather than six, there are far more games for fans to watch and bet on. The total number of games during the league phase is 189 compared to 125 during the group stages of the previous season. The Europa League and Conference League have also undergone a similar change.
The top eight teams in the league stage automatically qualify for the last 16 knockout round, while the teams in ninth to 24th position will compete in a two-legged playoff for the chance to join them. The knockout play-off round draw takes place at the end of January 2025, followed by the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals. The tournament concludes with the thrilling final, to be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
When & Where is the UCL Qualifiers & Playoffs
To consolidate things, we have earmarked the key dates that you ought to be aware of as international clubs battle it out in this lucrative soccer tournament:
August 20/21 - Play-off round first legs
August 27/28 - Play-off round second legs
August 29 - Champions League phase draw
September 17/18, 2024 - Matchday 1
October 1/2, 2024 - Matchday 2
October 22/23, 2024 - Matchday 3
November 5/6, 2024 - Matchday 4
November 26/27, 2024 - Matchday 5
December 10/11, 2024 - Matchday 6
January 21/22, 2025 - Matchday 7
January 29, 2025 - Matchday 8
January 31, 2025 - Knockout round play-off draw
February 11/12, 2025 - First leg of the knockout round play-offs
February 18/19, 2025 - Second leg of the knockout round play-offs
February 21, 2025 - Champions League knockout stage draw
Champions League Stage Predictions
This is an exciting time to be a fan of soccer, with a brand new Champions League format and more games than ever to enjoy. Here are some of our main picks for the league stage:
Which Teams Will Advance?
Our predictions of teams most likely to advance in the top eight positions are:
Real Madrid
Manchester City
Liverpool
Bayern Munich
Barcelona
Arsenal
Atletico Madrid
Borussia Dortmund
The remaining eight places are tougher to predict, but we think the following teams are most likely to advance through the playoffs:
Paris Saint-Germain
Inter Milan
Bayer Leverkusen
Atalanta
AC Milan
RB Leipzig
Benfica
Shakhtar Donetsk
Star Players to Watch
The Champions League is the biggest stage in soccer club competitions and the perfect place for stars to shine. Some of the best players in the world have had their best performances on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the UCL, and we’re definitely looking forward to seeing these:
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Phil Foden – Manchester City
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Mohammed Salah – Liverpool
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
Martin Odegaard - Arsenal
Champions League Picks to Win So Far
The current favorites to win the Champions League feature the biggest and most successful teams in European soccer. Note that odds and favorites are likely to change once the competition begins:
Manchester City
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Liverpool
Bayern Munich
Barcelona
UEFA Champions League Betting Tips, Odds & Previews
At Stake.com , we will keep you abreast of all the biggest upcoming sports events, so you can locate the best odds and insights. Ideally, to maximise your time spent with us, check out our soccer betting guide , or read our tips to consolidate your betting strategy:
Specialize in one market before expanding - If you are new to sports betting, particularly Champions League qualifying wagering, get to grips with easier betting systems, such as the moneyline before advancing to more complex methods such as handicaps or a parlay .
Jump on any available offers or promotions advertised - This may range from free bets to money back if your team surges into a 2-0 lead, but whatever it is, you can boost your bankroll and enhance your betting experience in the long term.
Watch games live - If you can’t physically get to the stadium, the next best thing is to watch it on TV or via a stream, so you can identify patterns in the game. This could be whether a team struggles to close down space or impose themselves in say the first half.
Keep up-to-date with all the news - To stay across all the news , make sure you follow our blog , so you aren’t out of the loop when it comes to injury updates or other important info on matchdays.
We caught up with the expert himself, Sergio Aguero, to get his insights ahead of the 2024-25 Champions League season . Check it out before placing your bets!
Types of Bets & How to Bet on Champions League
Champions League qualifying opens itself for a plethora of betting opportunities, and we have outlined some of the key markets below as well as in our sports betting guide for your perusal:
Moneyline - This is the purest but simplest bet and requires predicting which team will win. You will cash your ticket if a team comes out on top after 90 minutes, but remember that in the Champions League, away goals don’t count double as they used to so if both sides are level after regulation time, the contest will go into extra time.
Outright betting - This entails taking a long-term view or in the case of this guide, predicting which side will qualify from the league phase of the Champions League.
Props - This can be split down into team and individual performances, such as whether a player will be carded or how many corners there will be, and they provide good value for money.
Spread betting - Popular for soccer, a spread might be set between 0.5 and 2 goals. Betting on the favorite means they need to beat the spread. Typically, there are a lot of goals per game in the Champions League, and this can produce a tidy profit.
Live betting - To thrust you into the heart of the action, you can wager as the game goes on. You will be able to find markets that incorporate the moneyline, props, or even spreads, and there is more flexibility with in-play betting. For some, when it comes to live betting vs pre-match betting , the former might be more fun.
Same Game Multi bet builder - It’s best to treat these as same-game parlays, so you can input multiple selections onto a single slip, but all legs must pull through for you to win.
Live Stream Champions League Online
At Stake, you can keep on top of all the Champions League qualifying games through our free live streams . Simply sign up, create an account, and head over to games that have a play button. Then, confirm the game that appeals the most before enjoying unfettered access.
Stake boasts a crisp product, and you should experience no buffering or lagging issues whether you are watching from home or on the move, so give it a whirl.
Bet on Soccer with Best Odds on Stake Sportsbook
Whether you are a novice soccer bettor or an aficionado, Stake is the home of the Champions League including qualifiers, so you will be covered every step of the way for all matches.
Stake also boasts plenty of deposit and withdrawal methods for online betting, As a result, making payments using your preferred currency and payment method is incredibly straightforward and extremely safe, thanks to our vault .
Any questions you may have, don’t hesitate to check out our vault where there will be invaluable resources as well for high rollers, including answers about our bespoke VIP club and exclusive rewards .
In the meantime, stay Stake Smart and always gamble responsibly to have the best possible betting experience at Stake.
