Champions League futures: Manchester City favored heading into Round of 16

The 2023-24 Champions League group stages concluded last month, which means it’s time to look ahead to the Round of 16, which begins in February. We have numerous European giants still left in the competition, headlined by holders Manchester City, who didn’t drop a single point in Group G with a perfect 18 points from six games. The Cityzens are the betting favorite to win it all again, but the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid cannot be taken lightly. Below, we’ll discuss several contenders.

Manchester City

Is this really any surprise? No. City were favorites before the group stages and nothing has changed after their dominant six games in Group G. Pep Guardiola’s men beat RB Leipzig, Young Boys, and Red Star Belgrade twice each, bagging 18 goals and conceding just seven in the process. However, Man City did hit a cold spell in the Premier League, which dropped them back to third in the table and five points off the top. Nevertheless, this is a dangerous side that is capable of winning another treble. The Sky Blues will lock horns with Copenhagen in the last 16. City is sitting at +188 odds at 888sport.

Bayern Munich

Bayern is always a serious force in the UCL and that’s been no difference in 2023-24. The 2019-20 winners finished atop Group A with a 6-1-0 record. While their pod wasn’t the most difficult, the German outfit flexed their muscle. While they’ve had some vulnerable moments at times in the Bundesliga this term, the Bavarians are typically a regular in the Champions League quarterfinals at the very least. That should be the case again since Bayern is facing Lazio in the Round of 16, a side they should comfortably beat across two legs.

Arsenal

The Gunners are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17 and they showed well in the group stages. Mikel Arteta’s men were top in Group B with a 4-1-1 record, besting the likes of Sevilla, Lens, and PSV Eindhoven. Perhaps not the toughest pod, but Arsenal showed their worth. The club is also very much in the title mix in the Premier League for the second season in a row. That may be the focus, but the Champions League is also an opportunity to showcase their abilities. The Gunners go to battle with Porto in the last 16.

Real Madrid

Madrid is the most successful club in Champions League history with 14 titles. The next closest is seven and that’s AC Milan. Los Blancos ooze success in the UCL and most recently lifted the ultimate prize in 2021-22. They also made the semifinals last season. It’s a new era without Karim Benzema leading the line, but this is still a very strong side with boatloads of talent. Jude Bellingham is already shaping up to be a club legend and he’s only in his first season. Madrid is top-five at all soccer betting sites in the Champions League futures.