UEFA Champions League Season Predictions 2025-26

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season kicks off on September 16. Thirty-six teams will compete, with the final scheduled for May 30.

The league will use the format that changed last year – teams will play eight games in the regular season, followed by the play-in stage and the playoffs, which will be played in the standard format. Two games will be played in each series – one at home and one away. Only the league final will be played in a single game.

Long-term bets can be placed on both the regular season and the entire league season. Betting companies offer a wide range of options for the regular season: who will win, who will reach the quarter-finals without a play-in, and who will finish last.

When placing long-term bets on the league winner, it is important not to confuse it with betting on who will win the regular season. We have selected four long-term bets that we believe offer the best value.

The odds for an English club to win the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League are 2.00. And this is not without reason. England is considered the favorite because six teams from this country will be playing in the league this year. This does not mean that all six can win, but such a large number of English clubs greatly increases the likelihood that at least one team from England will play in the final.

FC Liverpool, who played excellently last season, were knocked out in the round of 16 after losing to the eventual champions PSG on penalties. Last year, there was no English club in the final for the second time in a row. Since the 2017–18 season, at least one English team has participated in five of the six finals, winning three times.

Last year, Manchester City’s performance was tragic, so it is difficult to expect them to play so poorly again this year. FC Liverpool is also among the favorites to win the league. Arsenal has been making great strides in recent seasons and could also be in contention for the title this year. Chelsea also has a solid lineup. Newcastle United and Tottenham should not be written off – they could spring a surprise if they make it to the playoffs.

Looking at the real favorites this year, City, Liverpool, or Arsenal could win the league. The odds of 2.00 are not high, but since there are three English teams among the favorites, it would not be surprising if two of them met in the final, as was the case in 2020–21 and 2018–19. In that case, the Champion League bet would be successful even before the end of the final.

Among the leading contenders are defending champions PSG, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Interestingly, no team has managed to defend its UEFA Champions League title since the 2017–18 season. PSG has a chance to win again, but it will be extremely difficult, as other teams will already view the Paris club as champions. The battle for the title will likely be between Spanish and English teams.

Last year, FC Barcelona won six games, drew one, and lost one in eight matches, earning 19 points and finishing in second place. This year, the team has every chance not only to repeat this achievement, but also to improve on it. Having retained its core players and with a favorable schedule, Barcelona could earn more points than any other La Liga team.

This year, five La Liga teams will play in the league, but Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao are not on par with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, or FC Barcelona.

Last year, Atlético finished in 5th place with 18 points, which was a pleasant surprise, while Real ended the season with 15 points and remained in 11th place, qualifying for the playoffs. Likely, the biggest competition this year will again be between these three teams, but Atlético has a tougher schedule than Real or Barcelona.

Among Barcelona’s opponents, PSG stands out, with whom they will play at home, as well as Chelsea and Newcastle United away. In all five other matches, the La Liga champions will be clear favorites. Real Madrid will face Juventus and Manchester City at home, while away matches await against Liverpool and Benfica, who could potentially spring a surprise.

Given that Barcelona usually easily defeats weaker opponents, the points should not be shared. Even if they lose once and draw once against their main rivals, 19 points should be enough to overtake both Real Madrid and Atlético.

Chelsea finished fourth in the English Premier League last season, but played in the UEFA Conference League, where they faced little competition and were able to focus on the domestic championship. This year, the club will have to juggle UEFA Champions League matches with a highly competitive Premier League schedule.

Can Chelsea secure a place in the top eight and make it into the playoffs? Definitely, but other contenders must be taken into account: Liverpool FC, PSG, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern – seven teams that could all easily make it into the top eight. Napoli, Tottenham, Inter, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus will also be competing with Chelsea for these spots.

Last season, teams such as Bayer, Lille, and Aston Villa were in the top eight, while clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern, and PSG occupied places 9–24. There is certainly no shortage of surprises, so we can expect that this year, 1-2 teams may unexpectedly jump into the top eight, which will be even harder to reach.

This season, Chelsea FC has the following schedule in the UEFA Champions League:

• Home: Benfica, Ajax, FC Barcelona, Paphos.
• Away: Bayern, Qarabag, Atalanta, Napoli.

It must be acknowledged that the London club will be the clear favorite in only a few games. Interestingly, home games will be even more difficult than away games. Last season, 16 points were needed to reach the top eight. Given the composition of their opponents, Chelsea should remain outside the top eight and continue the season in the play-in.

Last season, Bayern Munich collected 15 points and finished in 12th place, just one point shy of a direct spot in the playoffs. The Germans won five games and lost three. Looking at this year’s UEFA Champions League schedule, we can expect far fewer setbacks.

• At home: Chelsea, Club Brugge, Sporting CP, Union SG.
• Away: Paphos, PSG, Arsenal, PSV.

Bayern Munich will face PSG, Arsenal, and Chelsea, but all other opponents are much weaker. The Germans will be clear favorites against all of these teams. A win at home against Chelsea would bring Bayern significantly closer to a place in the top eight, as the London club is also fighting for a place in the playoffs.

Against PSG or Arsenal away, the Munich team can expect a draw, and teams such as Club Brugge, Union SG, and Paphos should not pose any serious problems – these teams are unlikely to take any points.

Looking at their main rivals, who are also fighting for a place in the top 8, Bayern need not worry about other results. If the Germans win six games, their place in the top eight will be guaranteed.

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League promises another unpredictable season under its new format. English clubs enter as the strongest collective force, while Barcelona looks set to lead Spain’s charge in the regular season. Chelsea’s uphill battle against a tough draw could keep them outside the elite eight, whereas Bayern’s path appears far smoother, positioning them as one of the safer long-term bets. Balancing proven contenders with favorable schedules will be the key for bettors this season.