With just over two months completed of the 2023/24 season, we have a clearer picture about which teams will challenge for silverware this season.
To help you bash the bookmakers, we have scoured the outright betting markets to come up with six selections we think will deliver a winning return at the end of the campaign.
English Premier League
With some of the English Premier League’s biggest clubs underperforming this season, the door is open for an unexpected team to force their way into the top six.
Aston Villa appeal as the most likely candidate given the progress they have made since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager last year.
Emery has completely transformed Villa’s fortunes, and they look an excellent bet at odds of 2/1 to finish in the top six at the end of this season.
More ambitious punters may be tempted to back them at 6/1 to break into the top four, although that may be asking just a little too much of Emery’s team.
UEFA Champions League
Manchester City are the hot favourites to retain the UEFA Champions League title, but odds of 2/1 are too skinny given the strength of the competition.
La Liga giants Real Madrid appeal as the value bet to be crowned as European champions having previously lifted the trophy on 14 previous occasions.
They are a best-priced 15/2 to claim the title, which makes them an intriguing betting proposition with bookmakers offering each-way terms of 1/2 the odds.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side should have little difficulty progressing out of Group C and are strongly fancied to at least make it to the final this season.
UEFA Europa League
The Europa League is tricky to predict at this stage, with eight teams still to drop into the competition from the Champions League at the end of the group phase.
Liverpool are currently the favourites to lift the trophy but look far too short in the betting given their priority this season is challenging for the Premier League title.
By contrast, Bayer Leverkusen should give punters a good run for their money at odds of 14/1 having reached the semi-final of this competition last term.
They have been in superb form during the early part of this season and will be extremely tough to beat if they continue in the same vein.
UEFA Europa Conference League
Having highlighted the improvements Villa have made under Emery, it will probably come as no surprise that they are fancied to win the UEFA Europa Conference League at odds of 4/1.
They have landed in a competitive group during the opening stage of the competition but have enough quality to book their place in the knockout phase.
Emery has an excellent record in European competitions having guided Sevilla to Europa League glory on three occasions (2013/14, 2014/15 & 2015/16).
He was also in charge when Villarreal won the same tournament in 2020/21 and will fancy his chances of overseeing another successful European campaign with Villa.
Saudi Pro League
The influx of numerous players from Europe’s top leagues to the Middle East has significantly heightened interest in the Saudi Pro League.
Leading football betting sites now offer a wide range of markets on the league, which has helped to significantly raise its profile among sports bettors.
Al-Hilal are the odds-on favourites to win the title after making an excellent start to the season, but Al-Nassr look a good bet at odds of 12/5 to overhaul them.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is their standout player and will be desperate to deliver silverware to the Saudi club.
UEFA European Championship
Just ten nations have won the UEFA European Championship, with Germany (1972, 1980 & 1996) and Spain (1964, 2008 & 2012) leading the way with three titles apiece.
England are the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy after easing through their qualifying campaign but make zero appeal from a betting perspective under manager Gareth Southgate.
Two-time winners France (1984 & 2000) were even more impressive in their group and their supremely talented squad will be tough to stop next summer.
Odds of 9/2 look enticing given the attacking options at their disposal and may well be cut in the run-up to the tournament in Germany.
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