The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League concluded its League Phase on Wednesday after a thrilling 18-game slate that saw Bodø/Glimt shock Atlético Madrid to make its way into the knockout stages, Alisson Santos score a late goal to earn Sporting Lisbon a direct pass into the Round of 16, and Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin send the Eagles into the last 24 with a soaring header with the last touch of the game. In total, there were 61 goals scored, by far the most ever during a single day in the Champions League.
After nearly five months of domestic play and eight Champions League games, we’ve also learned a lot about all 24 teams that remain alive in the chase for Europe’s loftiest trophy, so teams’ odds have moved a lot. After the draw, Barcelona was a +600 favorite, with title-holders Paris Saint-Germain right behind at +650, but after a final-day draw against Newcastle forced PSG into a playoff tie, Les Parisiens’ odds have dropped somewhat. Arsenal, meanwhile, went perfect in the League Phase and has jumped from +750 to +370. The eliminated team with the shortest odds was Napoli (+3000), and the biggest long-shot to advance was Qarabağ (+50000).
As the knockout rounds begin, the Gunners — who also sit atop the Premier League and are alive in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup — are now the favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, and the Horsemen have the longest odds. The playoff round draw will take place on Friday, with the matches set to take place on February 17, 18, 24, and 25. Arsenal, Bayern Münich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting, and Manchester City will have a bye to the Round of 16, which will happen on March 10, 11, 17, and 18.
Below is a full list of the updated odds:
Odds to Win on DraftKings Sportsbook
- Arsenal +370
- Bayern Munchen +450
- Barcelona +700
- Paris Saint-Germain +750
- Man City +800
- Liverpool +1000
- Real Madrid +1100
- Chelsea +1800
- Inter Milan +2500
- Tottenham +3000
- Atletico Madrid +3500
- Newcastle +4000
- Sporting Lisbon +5000
- Borussia Dortmund +6500
- Juventus +10000
- Atalanta +10000
- Galatasaray +15000
- Benfica +15000
- Monaco +20000
- Leverkusen +20000
- Olympiakos +50000
- Club Brugge +50000
- Bodo Glimt +50000
- FK Qarabag +100000
Best Bet
Manchester City (+800)
Given the physical nature of the game and the value of having five weeks’ off of European competition, it’s likely that the winner will come from among the top eight teams, though PSG did have to go through the playoff round last season. Of the top eight, there’s arguably no team that combines top-end talent, depth, form, management, and big-game experience like Manchester City.
Arsenal’s status as the favorite is deserved. The Gunners weren’t seriously tested at all throughout the League Phase, and arguably their least impressive result came with their substitutes in Matchday 8, when they managed just a 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty. However, Arsenal has famously never won the Champions League, and despite arguably out-playing Paris in the semifinals last season, it ended up falling short. Surely the Gunners will have learned from that defeat, but breakthroughs are hard to come by, and +370 is a touch too short.
Despite a couple of rough losses — to Manchester United in the Premier League and Bodo in the Champions League — the Sky Blues have closed the gap to four points domestically and shut out a dangerous Galatasaray attack on the final day, and Rodri — the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner and arguably their best player — has suited up only three times in the Champions League. With a healthy Rodri serving as a pivot and Pep Guardiola manning the sidelines, City can beat anyone, and +800 feels like strong value.
