UEFA Champions League betting update

The knock-out stages of the Champions League are well under way now and the first leg ties for the last sixteen have all been played. Europe`s biggest club football competition resumes in two weeks as the second leg matches determine who will advance to the quarter finals.

Holders Barcelona have been made strong favourites to successfully defend their title this year, available at 3/1 (bet £10 to win £30 profit). Barca won all six competitions they were involved in last season, including La Liga and the World Club Competition, and having added Zlatan Ibrahimovic to their squad seem almost unbeatable. They drew 1-1 at Stuttgart in the first leg of their tie, scoring the precious away goal in the process.

Chelsea are second favourites for the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti`s side lead the Premier League and are 5/1 to win the Champions League for the first time in the club`s history. However, they lost 2-1 at the San Siro in their tie against Italian Champions Inter, who are currently managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, and will have to be at their best if they are to make the next round.

Another interesting tie between an English and an Italian team is Manchester United vs A.C. Milan. United won the first leg at the San Siro 3-2 in a thrilling encounter but were outplayed for much of the game. The Red Devils must still be favoured to overcome Milan at home though and they are third favourites for the tournament at 11/2.

Real Madrid, who spent incredible amounts of money over the summer to assemble their current squad, are 13/2 with Betfred to overcome their 1-0 defeat at Lyon in the first leg of their tie and win this year. However, Madrid have struggled every year recently at this stage and this would be the fourth time in a row that they have lost when up against French opposition.

Other interesting teams include Inter Milan and Arsenal. Inter are 11/1 to win this year and if anyone can go to Stamford Bridge and get a result, it is Jose Mourinho. Arsenal lost 2-1 to Porto in the first leg of their tie and are 14/1 with Coral, but have a very strong home record against the Portuguese side. Porto themselves are available at 66/1 with Stan James.

The Champions League final this year will be held on the 22nd of May at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

UEFA Champions League betting odds

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