Champions League Outrights

 

No team has won the Champions League more than once in the past six seasons and the smart money is on a new name being etched onto the trophy come 23^rd May. Lyon (15/2 bet365) have already played some breathtaking football and are set to become the first French team to win the competition since 1993.

 

Their blistering domestic form has virtually ensured a sixth successive league title, leaving them free to concentrate on a trailblazing European campaign. Not that they’ve been unduly distracted so far, topping Group E and out-playing Real Madrid (12/1 bet365) for one and a half games in the process.

 

There are no real superstars in the Lyon team, with goals flying in from every position. Malouda and Juninho have been midfield dynamos while a Cris-led defence (backed up in goal by the stoic Gregory Coupet), have been as typically tight-fisted as you might expect from a Gerard Houllier-managed team.

 

Chelsea (7/2 bet365) would also be first-time winners although the Champions League is fast becoming a Holy Grail for them. Shevchenko is proving to be an Abramovich-enforced-hindrance rather than a help to the Blues, although edging Barcelona (10/3) in a hard-fought Group A will at least fuel the belief that it’s their year. Rijkaard’s reigning champions will also be no pushover, although it takes a gifted team to enjoy back-to-back successes in this competition.

 

Indeed, the year was 1990 when Milan (14/1 bet365) achieved this feat and, although the Rossoneri have a superb European pedigree, the current team relies too much on Kaka for inspiration. Meanwhile, their neighbours Inter (12/1) hardly convinced in the group stages and will be viewed as a favourable opponents by many.

 

Of the other British teams, Man United (8/1 bet365) have been purring domestically although their limited squad and failure to penetrate defences in Glasgow and Copenhagen is a worry. Similarly, neither Liverpool nor Arsenal can be supported with much confidence, despite their unexpected successes in 2004/5 and 2005/6 respectively.

 

As with all cup competitions, a dollop of luck is required to go all the way and Lyon are certainly due their share after being the better team when losing to PSV and Milan at the quarter final stage in the past couple of years. This season, they have acquired that missing killer instinct, winning matches without playing well and establishing a momentum which could take them all the way to Athens. Barring injuries, they are by far most attractive betting prospect in this season’s Champions League.

 

Click here for more bet365 Champions League odds including Top Goalscorer and Nationality Of Winner.