The majority of bookmakers made Manchester City the pre-tournament favourites to win this season's Champions League, and that has remained the case ahead of the last 16. Pep Guardiola's side were far from perfect during the group stages with the Premier League champions having failed to defeat Lyon on two occasions, but a favourable draw against Schalke 04 has put City in a position where it would be considered to be a surprise if they do not earn a place in the quarter-finals with minimal fuss. However, City's shock defeat to Newcastle United has highlighted that Guardiola's side are still not producing the same levels of quality and consistency that they were during the last campaign, and it is time to start backing the so-called underdogs to win European football's premier competition.
When the time come to place a free bet, you will naturally look for value and there is plenty of it available to you. Barcelona are an obvious choice at betting odds of around 9/2 with the Catalan giants eager to end their wait to get their hands back on a trophy which they last lifted in 2015. Ernesto Valverde has witnessed his team struggle in defence at times over the past five months but unlike City, Barcelona have a difference maker in Lionel Messi who is motivated to win the biggest accolades possible this season after the disappointment at club, international and personal level during 2018. A showdown with Lyon is a potential banana skin for Barca, but it may play into the Spanish side's favour that they need to perform to a high level from February onwards.
Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have been given high-profile clashes with Atletico Madrid and Manchester United respectively in the first knockout round, but it is still worth taking a punt on either team to win this competition. Juventus have been knocking on the door for a number of years and have only failed to achieve their main goal due to Real Madrid and Barcelona being at their peak, but this season is different and there is a window of opportunity for Massimiliano Allegri's team. Cristiano Ronaldo also has the desire to join a select group of players who have won the Champions League with three different clubs, and you would not back against the Portuguese superstar also collecting the top goalscorer award. PSG will be hindered by the absence of Neymar through injury, but the French outfit will be a threat to anyone providing that they can negotiate a two-legged tie with United. Both clubs are currently priced at around 7/1 and that represents incredible value.
© Reuters
Last year's finalists - Liverpool and Real Madrid - are remarkably rated as the fifth and sixth most likely to win this season's competition. There is logic to that when it comes to Liverpool being priced at 9/1 with Bayern Munich their opponents in the last 16 and Jurgen Klopp likely to prioritise the Premier League over Europe, but the Merseyside giants can defeat anyone on their day and successfully progressed from a tough group. However, you simply cannot avoid Real Madrid at a price of 11/1. The defending champions are off the pace in the race for the La Liga title, but that should mean that more focus is placed on the Champions League and playing Ajax at the next stage is a winnable tie. The players in Santiago Solari's squad are serial winners, and there will be a determination to further cement a legacy with four successive triumphs. Their current price will not last long.
There are other teams who are worth a nibble but for now at least, backing Man City at 3/1 should be avoided and selecting one of the above five teams represents your best opportunity of making a profit come the end of the season.
