For many football supporters, serious interest in the Champions League only really peaks when the competition reaches the last 16.

Although there were some spirited performances from some of Europe’s lesser lights (Red Bull Salzburg in particular) in the group stage, we’re now down to a fairly predictable line-up of the usual suspects. 

Indeed, this season has seen the major European leagues dominate more than ever, with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 providing all 16 teams in the knock-out stage. 

The Champions League is the premier club competition in world football, so there are numerous types of promotions and sports betting bonuses available on all the remaining matches and outright markets.

Champions League Last 16 Draw

There are some hugely attractive ties in the last 16 to look forward to, with defending champions Liverpool facing a decidedly awkward test in Atletico Madrid, while there’s a serious England v Spain heavyweight match-up between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The Champions League draw wasn’t exactly kind to the English quartet, with Chelsea facing a repeat of the 2012 final as they face another of the tournament favourites in Bayern Munich. Tottenham perhaps have things slightly easier, but RB Leipzig lead the Bundesliga at the winter break and are clearly no mugs.

Champions League Betting Odds

In an incredibly competitive market in the outright betting to win Champions League 2019-20 , Manchester City are the market leaders at 4/1 with bet365, with Liverpool breathing down their necks at 9/2. The English duo are followed by Barcelona at 5/1, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain both available at 7/1.

Some will believe that traditional European heavyweights Juventus and Real Madrid represent value at 11/1 and 18/1 respectively. Tottenham, with Jose Mourinho having a bit of history in the Champions League, are sure to have takers at 20/1, then it’s Atletico Madrid at 33/1, Chelsea and RB Leipzig at 40/1, Borussia Dortmund at 50/1, Napoli at 80/1, Atalanta and Valencia at 100/1 and Lyon the rank outsiders at 200/1.

So, who will win the Champions League?

Much will depend on the quarter-final draw as to how the outright market moves going forward, with whichever team draws the winner of the last 16 tie between Atalanta and Valencia sure to see their odds plummet. The last 16 draw also ensures that there will be a number of big name casualties. 

There’s certainly plenty of reasons for backing any of the market leaders in the outright betting, but it could pay to look outside the leading contenders if seeking value. This might not be a vintage Real Madrid side, but do a Manchester City team that has stuttered regularly this season warrant odds of 4/1 to win the tournament? Might Liverpool’s march to a long-awaited domestic title distract them in Europe?

With a relatively benign looking draw against Lyon in the last 16 (particularly with key forward Memphis Depay ruled out through injury for the French side), Juventus could be a value each-way football betting pick to win Champions League 2019-20.

There’s a wealth of big-match experience in the Juve squad and with attacking talents of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Filippo Bernardeschi, they are capable of troubling the best defences.

The Champions League last 16 ties commence on Tuesday 18th February 2020. The full draw is as follows:

• Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain
• Real Madrid v Manchester City
• Atalanta v Valencia
• Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
• Chelsea v Bayern Munich
• Lyon v Juventus
• Tottenham v RB Leipzig
• Napoli v Barcelona