Following the Champions League draw we now know the line-up for the group stages and this is the perfect time to place your ante-post Champions League bets on who is going to win the tournament this season.

Last season it was Chelsea who lifted the trophy after defeating Bayern Munich in a  penalty shoot-out, following a 1-1 draw in normal time and Arjen Robben missing a penalty in extra-time. The biggest shock of the group stage was Manchester United crashing out while both La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona could only make it to the last four before falling.

This seasons Champions League has been priced up by all the bookmakers and we will bring you the best odds on all the major players, and our betting tips on who you should bet on to win the 2012/13 Champions League.

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The main contenders to win the Champions League:

Barcelona (best price 27/10 with 188bet)

New manager Tito Villanova has brought in Jordi Alba and Alex Song to strengthen his squad and the addition of Alba fills the one ‘weakness’ Barcelona had last season. They were knocked out in the semi-final by a dogged Chelsea defensive display (not dissimilar to the performance of Inter Milan in 2010) but evidence shows Europe’s premier teams may well be wising up to the Barcelona way of playing, as illustrated by Real Madrid in their recent Super Cup win. With Lionel Messi in their ranks and a fit again David Villa back amongst the goals, the attacking class of Barca is undoubted – however the injury prone pair of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique could be a concern as the knockout stages come around and despite Javier Mascherano proving he is adequate cover at centre-half, the very best strikers in the world will get chances should Pique and/or Puyol be absent.

Benfica should be their only real test in Group G with Spartak Moscow and Celtic battling for the Europa League spot.

Real Madrid (best price 47/10 with You Win)

The Spanish giants and La Liga champions were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on penalties last season but manager Jose Mourinho has been unusually quiet in the transfer window – with Luka Modric the only signing of note. Madrid are strong all over the pitch and Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, Kedihra, Alonso and Ronaldo provide a frightening spine and the spearhead of Karim Benzema up front supported by Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria is enough to scare off any team in the world. Mourinho craves to win the Champions League with an unprecedented third club and if Cristiano Ronaldo puts his toys back in the pram no one could doubt this could be their season.

Their group contains English champions Manchester City and German Champions Borussia Dortmund along with Ajax but although the group is tough, Mourinho knows how to get results and Madrid will progress.

Manchester United (best price 10/1 with Bet Victor)

United were on the wrong end of one of the shocks of the Champions League last season when they were dumped out at the group stage, a feat that Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to avoid this time around. The 2011 runners up have added Robin Van Persie and Kagawa to their ranks to strongly bolster their attacking threat but central midfield is still considered a slight weakness unless Darren Fletcher can get himself fit and back to the form of 12 months ago. The central defensive pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand is also going to be vital in their quest for a third Champions League crown and any injury to those two could seriously jeopardise their chances of winning the trophy.

United are drawn in Group H with Galatasaray, Braga and Cluj so progression should not be a problem for the Premier League runners up.

Manchester City (best price 10/1 with Stan James)

The Premier League Champions have only made one major addition to their squad in Jack Rodwell but after the Carlos Tevez debacle in this competition last season having him back in the ranks will be a massive boost to Roberto Mancini. City’s group last season was as tough as it could get with Bayern Munich and Napoli and they need to improve their away form after suffering defeat in both away clashes against those two. Yaya Toure will be the key to their chances this season and with a more settled squad that 12 months ago, 10/1 is a fair price for a side who could really kick into gear should they make it to the latter stages.

City are in an equally tough group this season with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax so their away trips to Spain and Germany will be absolutely vital, while their game in Amsterdam will probably be a must win.

Bayern Munich (best price 14/1 with Sky Bet)

Last year’s unlucky finalists have strengthened as well as any of the established Champions League teams in this year’s competition. Mario Mandzukic shone at Euro 2012 and looks like he will score goals wherever he goes, Shaquiri has joined from FC Basel who was their shining light in last season’s  campaign that seen them dump Manchester United out at the group stage and give Bayern a scare in the knock-outs. Oh, and Javi Martinez has joined for €40 million from Spain. Martinez is set to be one of the best midfielders in the world and himself and Schweinsteiger are a world class midfield partnership in waiting. Dante has also arrived from Monchengladbach to sure up their defence and with Ribery and Robben still running riot down the flanks; their price of 14/1 looks far too big. The German giants have appeared in two of the last three Champions League finals and this could be their season to go one better.

Bayern Munich are in a group with Valencia and Lille so progression is not a formality but their home form at the Allianz Arena will ensure progression to the latter stages.

Chelsea (best price 16/1 with Bet Victor)

Chelsea famously won the 2012 Champions League in dramatic circumstances against Bayern Munich last season and their summer signings are a clear indication that they are not resting on their laurels. Edin Hazard already looks like the signing of the summer while Oscar waits in the wings and Victor Moses provides adequate back up. Their underlying problem this season will be the centre forward position with Fernando Torres the only recognised established player in that position. David Luiz is improving with every passing week so between him, Terry and Cahill their defensive worries should be catered for.

Chelsea are in Group E with Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus so although progression is by no means assured, their Champions League experience should see them through to the last 16.

Juventus (best price 19/1 with 188bet)

The Serie A champions are back in the Champions League this season and have strengthened well over the summer. Their two main acquisitions of Asamoah and Isla from Udinese, coupled with the arrival of Martin Caceres from Parma brings the Juventus squad up to Champions League standard. Their weakness may be infront of goal, in Serie A last season their top scorer was Alessandro Matri with just 10 goals and no recognised striker has been added to the squad this summer. Their other issue is their manager who has been banned for 10 months in relation to the match fixing scandals in Italy.

Juventus are with holders Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Nordsjaelland in the group stages and may struggle if goals aren’t scored, despite looking solid everywhere else on the pitch.

PSG (best price 20/1 with Coral)

Big spending Paris Saint-Germain cannot be ignored in this preview although this Champions League has probably come a season too soon for a serious challenge. Their squad is ever improving and this summer’s acquisitions of Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Lavezzi only add to the phenominal talent on show in the French capital. In last season’s Europa League PSG were poor on the road and that form will have to change for them to win the group. Ibrahimovic has already scored four goals in three appearances for his new club and his goals will determine how far PSG get.

Their group of Porto, Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb could have been a lot worse and have to be fancied to progress to the latter stages, from there the draw will need to be kind.

The Other Main Challengers

There are some very big names not mentioned at the head of the Champions League betting and none more so than the seven times winners AC Milan (best price 35/1 with You Win). The loss of Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva are the main reasons for this. Pazzini and De Jong are the only notable arrivals.

Arsenal (best price 25/1 with Bet Victor) have lost Robin Van Persie but the additions of Podolski and Cazorla look impressive, although these Champions League stalwarts will probably fall to one of the European giants in the last 16 or quarter finals.

Borussia Dortmund (best price 40/1 with Bet365) will have their fans in the betting after winning the Bundesliga but a fantastically tricky group and a flop in last season’s competition means they could fall at the first hurdle once again.

Champions League Outright Betting Tips

Manchester City 1pt EW at 10/1 with Stan James (bet £10 here and get £10 free)

Bayern Munich 2.5pts EW at 14/1 with Sky Bet (get a totally free £5 here and free £5 matched)

(EW terms – 1/2 the odds 1,2)

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