'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We have entered the World Cup year and the excitement is palpable but Europe still has a lot of unfinished business. With the better half of the season already behind them, all the major teams will try to end their season with trophies. Undoubtedly, the Champions League is the most coveted price in all of Europe and the 16 teams left in the fray will be keeping it as their top priority. With 5 English Clubs, 3 Spanish Clubs, 2 Italian Clubs and one each from Ukraine, Turkey, Portugal, Germany, France, and Switzerland all in the bracket, it promises to be a scintillating end to the season. We have studied the odds at top betting sites around the world and present the 5 most likely champions according to them. With less than 20 days to go for the knockout stage, many have already placed their bets and are keeping their fingers crossed. Here are the teams you should be counting on.
5. Real Madrid
ODDS- 9/1
The defending champions just made it to the list after facing some competition from Manchester United and Liverpool. The Galacticos are having a poor season to say the least. Placed fourth in the league with a 19 point deficit from the top, the Spanish champions will have to pull off a miracle. In the group stage too, they faltered and finished second behind a less fancied Tottenham Hotspurs from London. However, Cristiano Ronaldo remains to be the top scorer for his team and in the competition with 9 goals. With a whooping 18 European titles and 12 European and champions League wins, they are definitely the most successful team in the history of the competition. Zidane has been in Madrid for two seasons and at both occasions, he has won the Champions League. What remains to see is whether he can do it for the third consecutive time. Madrid face PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu on the 15th of February.
4. FC Barcelona
ODDS- 8/1
Barcelona surely are Spain's best bet to bag the trophy. The current table toppers in the Liga have showed exceptional form both in and out of Spain. At the start of the season, there were a lot of talks about Neymar leaving a void at the club but with results coming their way, Neymar's absence is hardly felt. With a cushion of 11 points in the league, the 5 times Champions league winners will try to make this their sixth.The Catalans won their group ahead of a dangerous Juventus convincingly, thus showing their class. Leo Messi is the leading goal scorer for the team with 3 impressive goals. With a team in form, it may be Ernesto Valverde's best chance to win a Champions League title. FC Barcelona are scheduled to face Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge on the 21st of February.
3. Bayern Munich
ODDS- 6.5/1
It is going to be 5 years since the Bavarians won their last Champions league title. Currently sitting in the pole position in the Bundesliga with a 16 point lead over Bayern Leverkusen, Munich has every right to believe. The 5 time Champions finished second in the group losing out to an equally fancied PSG side on 'head to head' fixtures. Their 3-1 victory against PSG in the last fixture of the group stage showed exactly what they are made up of. The young Corentin Tolisso and Robert Lewandowski stand as the top goal scorers for the club with 3 goals a piece. However, the major factor contributing to a Munich win is the return of Jupp Heynckes. It was Heynckes' genius that led to the treble in 2012/13 and many websites believe that he may repeat the feat. Bayern Munich play hosts to Besiktas on the 21st of February in Munich.
2. Paris Saint Germain
ODDS- 6/1
PSG have been knocking on the door for quite some time now and this year the bookies favor the French club heavily. They shocked a few by just edging Bayern Munich and finishing at the top of the table. The Parisians have come mightily close to the final but couldn't quite pack the punch. PSG search their first ever Champions League title in the history of the game. They top the Ligue 1 table with an 8 point lead over their rivals Lyon. Their summer signing Neymar is in top form with 6 goals and is tied with Striker Edinson Cavani as the leading goal scorer for them in the competition. Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League 3 times with Sevilla will look to take a step ahead and win his first ever Champions League title. PSG will travel to Real Madrid to play a highly competitive Round of 16 match on the 15th of February.
1.Manchester City
ODDS- 4/1
Yes, according to the betting world, we may finally see an English team win the cup.It was in 2012 when Chelsea won their famous final against Bayern Munich. No English team has won the cup since then. The Citizens have been nothing short of unstoppable this entire season. By dominating the Premier league table with a clear 12 point lead, Manchester City have definitely proved their mettle. City will look to win its first ever Champions League title and will rely on their top scorer Raheem Sterling to do the job for them. Sterling has already scored 4 goals for his team and would look to add to his tally. Taking charge of things is the experienced Pep Guardiola, who already has 2 Champions League titles to his name and if betting sites are to be believed, he might very well make it to 3. Manchester City travel to Basel on the 14th of February to kick off the Knock-out stage.
