Champions League Betting Futures: PSG New Favorite Over Madrid Heading Into Quarterfinals

And then there were eight. Europe’s most prized competition is coming down to the wire as the quarterfinals begin next month. Title-holders Real Madrid remain in the tournament, but Liverpool, who were seen as a favorite, have been eliminated by a resilient PSG side, who are now the slim frontrunner in the latest Champions League futures. Los Blancos aren’t far behind them, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal are all clubs to watch as the UCL rolls on. Below, we’ll lay out the odds heading into the last eight and preview several of these contenders.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Champions Leagues Futures: Outright Winner

PSG

Paris Saint-Germain isn’t exactly the same star-studded squad of the past where they had a front three consisting of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. However, they’ve looked like a very strong side in these knockout stages. They hammered Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the UCL playoffs before pulling off the unthinkable against Liverpool. Luis Enrique’s side frankly outplayed the Premier League giants in both legs but somehow lost the opening tie.

That being said, Paris rolled into Anfield and pushed the Reds to the brink in the reverse fixture. An early Ousmane Dembele goal was enough to force extra time and eventually penalties where Gianluigi Donnarumma made several huge saves. PSG will lock horns with Aston Villa in the quarterfinals, who did beat them in the group stages.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos always find a way to win, don’t they? While it wasn’t pretty, Carlo Ancelotti’s managed to knock out their city rivals in Atletico in the last 16. A 2-1 victory in the first leg was followed by a defeat in the second leg but Madrid won in spot kicks thanks to Antonio Rudiger. The race for their 16th European title remains alive.

You can’t say they’ve had it easy in this competition, either. Manchester City was Real’s opponent in the playoffs, who they handle with ease. It will be another Premier League outfit in the last eight as Arsenal will go to battle with the Spanish giants. Los Blancos are one of the favorites to win it all at soccer betting sites.

Barcelona

While Barca haven’t had much success in Europe for quite a few years, they cannot be overlooked here. Hansi Flick’s men finished within the top eight in the group stages and then ran riot on Portuguese standouts Benfica in the Round of 16, beating them 4-1 on aggregate across two legs. Raphinha’s brace in the second leg was the difference-maker and he now leads the Champions League in goals with 11.

Robert Lewandowski is also firing on all cylinders in the competition, netting nine times. The Catalans have an electric duo up top while youngster Lamine Yamal is also extremely dangerous, among others. Barca will face last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals.

Bayern Munich

Bayern is still a side with quite a European pedigree, having won the competition in 2020. The Bundesliga giants had to get through the playoffs after an inconsistent group campaign, but Munich was absolutely dominant in the Round of 16. Vincent Kompany’s group hammered German holders Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate. Harry Kane continues to shine up top, scoring 10 Champions League goals. Bayern will take on Inter Milan in the last eight.

Champions League Picks

At this point, it’s still worth putting money down on a couple of different clubs because of the plus odds. Frankly, I don’t see anyone eliminating Real Madrid across two legs. This club just knows how to grind out victories and they have every opportunity to lift the trophy again. I also like Barcelona, who would have to beat Bayern in the semifinals. They’re the only side I could see besting Los Blancos. But, it won’t be easy.

Picks: Real Madrid (+350), Barcelona (+350)