Champions League Predictions & Betting tips

Find our free Champions League prediction, as well as our expert predictions on all the Champions League football matches (2025-2026). Full of information for your sports betting!

Champions League presentation and predictions - Football

The Champions League is one of the most closely followed sporting events throughout the year. This competition brings together the elite of European football every season, and is incredibly popular with punters who love betting on the Champions League.

Organized by UEFA, the tournament features not just the very best clubs in Europe but also some of the clubs that are top dogs in their domestic leagues but struggle to cope with the European elite.

Last year's new format will be maintained for the new season, and all the details can be found on this page.

From the first qualifying rounds to the final, scheduled for May 30th 2026 in Budapest, you'll find our Champions League predictions here. We'll be giving you our favorites to win the trophy, our thoughts on which teams will qualify for the final phase or play off, and which player will finish top scorer at the end of the competition. All great information to read! Make your football predictions safely here!

Make your Champions League selections

Our free prediction for the 2025/26 Champions League Final: who to bet on?

This year marks the second edition of UEFA's new Champion's League format. Last year, this new format benefited Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain, who won the first Champions League in their history after an exceptional second half of the season!

For the 2025-2026 edition, the big guns will once again be on hand. Manchester City, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, PSG, Bayern... These are just some of the big European clubs aiming to go all the way. At the moment, with all the qualifiers and fixtures still to be announced, it's hard to offer a reliable prediction on who will win the C1.

But, of course, we can see one of the teams mentioned above going all the way, with a slight advantage for the reigning champions or the most successful club in the competition, Real Madrid and their 15 titles. If you don't want to wait to bet on the future winner, we'd advise you to try your luck on one of these two clubs.

Our 2025-2026 Champions League winner prediction: PSG or Real Madrid champion!

Champions League winner prediction 2025/2026 - bookmakers' odds

• FC Barcelona - 7.00
• Liverpool - 7.00
• PSG - 7.50
• Arsenal - 8.00
• Real Madrid - 9.00
• Manchester City - 10.00
• Bayern Munich - 13.00
• Chelsea - 13.00
• Inter Milan - 26.00
• Tottenham - 26.00
• Napoli - 26.00
• Atlético Madrid - 34.00
• Newcastle - 34.00
• Juventus - 41.00
• Atalanta - 51.00
• Bayer Leverkusen - 67.00
• Borussia Dortmund - 67.00
• Athletic Bilbao - 81.00
• AS Monaco - 81.00
• Eintracht Frankfurt - 101.00
• Marseille - 101.00
• Villarreal - 101.00
• Benfica - 151.00
• Galatasaray - 151.00
• PSV Eindhoven - 151.00
• Sporting Portugal - 151.00
• Ajax Amsterdam - 201.00
• Club Brugge - 251.00
• Olympiakos - 251.00
• Copenhagen - 251.00
• Union Saint Gilloise - 501.00
• Bodo/Glimt - 501.00
• Pafos FC - 501.00
• Slavia Prague - 1001.00
• FK Qarabag - 1001.00
• Kairat Almaty - 1501.00

Odds taken from Bet365

Register today

Our predictions for the Champions League regular season

Gone are the days of the multi-group format; since last year, we've had just one group, which we can also call the regular season or league phase.

For further information, here are the dates scheduled for the matches in the first phase of the competition:

• Matchday 1 - September 16, 17 and 18, 2025
• Matchday 2 - September 30 and October 1, 2025
• Matchday 3 - October 21 and 22, 2025
• Matchday 4 - November 4 and 5, 2025
• Matchday 5 - November 25 and 26, 2025
• Matchday 6 - December 9 and 10, 2025
• Matchday 7 - January 20 and 21, 2026
• Matchday 8 - January 28, 2026

Now it's time to find out who's in which group, and our predictions for the qualifiers! Below you'll find our predictions for the top 8, who qualify directly for the Round of 16, and the next 16, who qualify for the play-offs.

Register now

Our prediction for the Champions League Round of 16 qualifiers (top 8)

It was a very tough task in the first phase. As we saw last year, there were plenty of surprises in store, with clubs such as Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Juventus and Dortmund all having to make the play-offs!

However, before the 2025-2026 edition kicks off, there are still a number of clubs we feel are more than capable of finishing in the top 8, such as the two favourites in our predictions, Real Madrid and PSG. These are the two teams we have few doubts about, given the quality of their respective squads. We can't see them failing for a second year running.

Next, we're leaning towards the direct qualification of four Premier League clubs: Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. We also see Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona going straight through to the last 8. However, clubs such as Napoli, Dortmund, Atlético, Inter, Juve, Atalanta... will have to be wary.

Reminder of our Champions League prediction on the qualifiers: Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona in the Round of 16!

2025-26 Champions League - odds on the favourites for top 8

• Barcelona - 1.44
• Liverpool - 1.50
• PSG - 1.50
• Arsenal - 1.53
• Real Madrid - 1.66
• Man City - 1.72
• Bayern Munich - 1.83
• Chelsea - 2.00
• Inter Milan - 2.75
• Napoli - 3.00
• Atletico Madrid - 3.00
• Tottenham - 3.00
• Newcastle - 3.50
• Juventus - 4.00
• Leverkusen - 4.50
• Dortmund - 5.00
• Atalanta - 6.00
• Villarreal - 6.00
• Athletic Bilbao - 6.50

Odds taken from Bet365

Our prediction for the qualifiers for the Champions League play-offs (9th to 24th place)

Here's a second exercise that's even more difficult than the previous one on paper! After selecting the 8 teams we think will make the top 8 and qualify directly for the Round of 16, there are 24 teams still in contention to make the play-offs.

We then had to make a prediction as to which 16 teams would have the opportunity to continue the competition after the single pool. It was still hard to say, but here's the list of clubs we can see, in September 2025, reaching the play-offs: Monaco, Marseille, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle, Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Napoli, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atalanta Bergamo, Benfica, Sporting and PSV Eindhoven.

2025-26 Champions Leauge - odds on the favourites for 9th-24th

• Leverkusen - 1.44
• Dortmund - 1.44
• Juventus - 1.44
• Newcastle - 1.50
• Tottenham - 1.50
• Atletico Madrid - 1.53
• Napoli - 1.53
• Atalanta - 1.57
• Inter Milan - 1.57
• Athletic Bilbao - 1.61
• Marseille - 1.72
• Villarreal - 1.72
• Monaco - 1.72
• Frankfurt - 1.83
• PSV - 1.83
• Benfica - 1.90
• Galatasaray - 1.90

Odds taken from Bet365

Bet on the Champions League!

Which prediction for the Champions League top scorer?

Also very popular with punters, the "Champions League top scorer" betting market can offer great opportunities given the often enticing odds offered by bookmakers on the future top scorer. When betting on the top scorer in the Champions League, there are several factors to take into account.

Recent performances, the player's ability to score goals, the fixture list and opponents, the club's ambitions: all these factors can have an influence on a player's chances of finishing as the competition's top scorer.

Before the season kicks off, we're giving the edge to Kylian Mbappé, who's been a consistent performer in recent years and ended last season in fine form with Real Madrid, the competition's king club and used to going far (and therefore playing a lot of games).

Here's the list of players we think are worth keeping an eye on at the start of the season and could well be in contention for this individual trophy:

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
• Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
• Vinicius (Real Madrid)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
• Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)

2025-26 Champions League - odds on the top goalscorer

• Erling Haaland - 7.00
• Kylian Mbappe - 8.00
• Robert Lewandowski -9.00
• Mohamed Salah - 11.00
• Harry Kane - 11.00
• Alexander Isak - 13.00
• Ousmane Dembele - 15.00
• Viktor Gyokeres - 15.00
• Hugo Ekitike - 17.00
• Raphinha - 17.00
• Lamine Yamal - 21.00
• Bukayo Saka - 26.00

Odds taken from Bet365

Bet on the Champions League!

Beginner Guide - how does the Champions League work?

The Champions League is the top European competition. Each season, it sees the best teams in Europe go head-to-head, having earned their tickets thanks to their respective results on the domestic stage.

In England for example, the top four teams in the Premier League all go straight into the leage stage. But this year, there will be six Premier League clubs in the Champions League.

The way the single pool works is simple: there are 36 participants, the top 8 are in the round of 16, the next 16 (9th to 24th place) compete against each other in a two-legged play-off to determine the other eight round of 16 teams. Those behind (25th to 36th place) are eliminated from all European competitions. You can find a detailed presentation of the new format in this video!

Unlike in the past, there is no longer any question of a repechage in the Europa League (see our Europa League prediction), so the bottom 12 will have to wait until the next year before they can taste European football again. For those who qualify, the play-offs will determine the last 8 teams, followed by a knockout phase of home and away matches, with the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, culminating in the final to crown the European champion.

• First qualifying round (July 8 to 16)
• Second qualifying round (July 22 to 30)
• Third qualifying round (August 5 to 12)
• Play-offs (August 19 to 27)
• Draw for matches on August 28
• League phase with 8 matches for each of the 36 clubs in total (September 16 to January 28). to January 28)
• The first 8 qualify for the last 8
• The next 16 qualify for the play-offs (last 16)
• The last 12 are eliminated from all European competitions (no repechage in Europa League)
• Play-off draw on January 30
• Play-offs (home and away) on return on 17, 18, 24 and 25 February 2026)
• Final phase draw on February 27
• Round-trip elimination matches (March 10 to May 6)
• Final match in Budapest (May 30, 2026)

Last year, Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Champions League winners, achieving a real feat by winning the first Champions League in the club's history, which has been the object of covetousness for fans and directors since Qatar took over the club in 2011. Who will succeed Ousmane Dembélé's teammates? Make your predictions!

Register today!

Our tips for correctly predicting matches and betting on the Champions League

To make reliable Champions League predictions, it's vital to pay attention to certain details. Here are our top tips to consider before placing a bet on the Champions League:

• Analyze the form of the Champions League teams
• Keep an eye on the team news for the Champions League games
• Take into account how important the match is
• Look at the history of meetings between the two opposing teams
• Compare Champions League odds before placing your bets

By taking each of these factors into account when analyzing a Champions League match, you'll be able to form an accurate opinion on the outcome. Read on to find out more about each of these tips!

Analyze the form of Champions League teams

The most important stage in your study of a Champions League match is to analyze the form of the teams, and especially that of the key players on the pitch. For example, last year with PSG, even though the team's collective performance was crucial, players like Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi could single-handedly help their team win the competition. If they're in form, you'll understand that a “Paris win” bet will be more reliable than if the team's two most decisive players are absent. And the same reasoning must be applied with stars like Mbappé, Bellingham, Wirtz, Haaland, Yamal and company. It's all important. 

So always pay attention to the form of players before betting, as the unavailability of a key player can have a significant impact on the outcome of a Champions League match.

Bet on the Champions League!

Keep an eye on the team news for the Champions League games

In the same vein, keeping an eye on injured and suspended players will also be important before making a prediction and then placing a bet on a Champions League match.

If a major player (e.g. Mbappe for Real Madrid, Saka for Arsenal) is unavailable for a match against a major opponent, this could obviously affect the final result of a match, whatever the stage of the competition.

This approach will be very important this year, with two extra matches for each club in the single pool, and an even greater number of overall matches in the year. Injuries could then be a little more significant...

Take into account how important the match is

Then, of course, the importance of the match must be taken into account. For example, if in the league stage a team has already qualified for the last 16 and their opponents are playing for a place in the knockout phase, you may consider betting on the outsiders as the favourites may choose a weakened line-up.

The same applies to the knockout phase. If a team has beaten its opponent 4-0 in the first leg, we won't gamble on its victory in the return leg. This is a constant in every football competition. We saw it again last year, for example, with Borussia, who beat Sporting 0-3 in the Round of 16, before settling for a draw in the return leg (0-0).

The same was true of Arsenal, who crushed PSV in the first leg in the Netherlands, with a crushing 1-7 victory. Everyone was expecting another demonstration at the Emirates, but the Gunners had to be content with a 2-2 draw.

Whatever the stage of the competition, you should never make the mistake of ignoring the importance of a Champions League match. Taking this factor into account, there are both good moves to be made, but also pitfalls to be avoided.

Bet on the Champions League!

Look at the history of meetings between the two opposing teams

To further improve your analysis of a Champions League match, we advise you not to miss out on the latest head-to-head meetings between the clubs. Certain teams are particularly effective against certain opponents, and can get the better of them even if they have a similar level of play on paper. In a sport like football, psychological impact is important, and a team that has lost all its head-to-heads to another team will find it difficult to perform against them in future matches.

This factor is all the more important if the matches take place in the same year. In 2023, for example, Inter Milan won both their head-to-head meetings with AC Milan. As expected, it was Inter who emerged victorious from the Champions League semi-final double-header against the Rossoneri, winning both the home and away matches. It's a detail that can make all the difference when making a UEFA Champions League prediction.

Compare Champions League odds before placing your bets

Finally, of course, you need to compare the Champions League odds before placing your bets on the competition. As you know, sports betting sites generally offer different odds for similar bets. To ensure you get the best potential winnings, you'll need to sign up with a number of bookmakers in order to take advantage of the best odds on the bet of your choice. 

On an average Champions League match, for example, Bet365 might offer odds of 2.00 on Manchester City beating Real Madrid, while 1xBet offer odds of 2.10. Over the long term, this kind of difference makes a massive difference in your overall winnings should you be consistently able to secure the best odds. Don't underestimate these comparisons!

By following these steps and taking into account the information in the text, you will be able to make more informed predictions and optimize your chances of success in Champions League matches.

Make your Champions League selections!

What not to do for your UEFA Champions League predictions

You now know the effective techniques you need to adopt to be successful in your Champions League predictions. Now let's talk about the mistakes you shouldn't make, as this will help you avoid losing money foolishly. So, avoid these actions at all costs: 

• Betting without taking into account the value of the odds
• Betting on your favorite team
• Betting without analyzing the match before hand
• Trying to make up for losing a Champions League bet
• Taking the big odds for no good reason
• Betting on a match where there is nothing at stake in the Champions League league stage
• Betting an amount you're not prepared to lose
• Betting live under emotional pressure

Try to avoid repeating these habits when betting on the 2025/26 Champions League, as they are bound to put you at risk! This advice also applies to other sporting events.

Keep these tips in mind, they will help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Make your Champions League selections!

Champions League: statistics you need to know

To increase your chances of success with your 2025/26 Champions League predictions, it's essential to take into account the key statistics and figures for the tournament.

Here are the most important statistics from the last edition, out of a total of 279 matches played (including qualifying rounds):

• Home win percentage: 50%
• Draw percentage: 26%
• Away win percentage: 34%
• Average goals: 3.17 goals per game
• +0.5 goals: 95%
• -0.5 goals: 5%
• +1.5 goals: 78%
• -1.5 goals: 22%
• +2.5 goals: 57%
• -2.5 goals: 39%
• +3.5 goals: 39%
• -3.5 goals: 61%
• +4.5 goals: 24%
• -4.5 goals: 76%
• Goal timing distribution: 76-90 minutes (22%)
• First half goals: 45%
• Second half goals: 55%
• Average home team goals: 1.78
• Average away team goals: 1.39
• “Both teams to score: Yes”: 52%
• Average shots per match: 23.64 shots
• Wins by 2 goals or more (handicap): 46.3% of matches
• Correct score 0-0: 5% of matches
• Correct score 1-1: 7.5% of matches
• Most frequent score: 1-0 or 0-1 (16.8% of matches)

If you look at these statistics, you'll see that there are some bets that should be favoured on this Champions League 2025-2026. First of all, betting on handicap bets will certainly be the best thing to do once again on this competition, since this bet was placed almost half the time last year and the odds are often very interesting for this type of bet.

You'll also notice that away teams have a good goal average, which can be an interesting bet to take depending on the context. For more variety, you can also opt for bets like “Over 1.5 goals”, “Over 2.5 goals” and even “Over 3.5 goals”, which have often been validated during the Champions League 2024-2025.

Finally, fans of big odds will be able to try the exact score 1-0 or 0-1, which was the case in 47 matches last season. When you see that the odds on this bet are very often over 5.00, you'll think it's worth a try. Don't forget to keep all these figures in mind to improve the quality of your bets on the Champions League 2025-2026.

Make your Champions League selections!

In short: how to make the right predictions on Champions League matches?

Thanks to the information you have been given on this page, you are now ready to make your predictions on the Champions League 2025-2026.

Don't forget to study each match in depth, using the key statistics, and to follow the best practices recommended by our experts.

Of course, you can also take the easy way out and take advantage of the many free Champions League betting tips offered by our experts. They're 100% free, so you can place reliable bets without worrying. Good luck to you!

Make your Champions League selections!

Our Champions League Predictions of the moment

Champions League: best odds

To improve your results on Europe's most prestigious cup, don't hesitate to compare Champions League odds and follow the matches live on our Champions League Livescores page. These tools will help you make more accurate predictions for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.