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The main stage of the 2025/2026 Champions League has concluded. The eight strongest clubs have advanced directly to the quarter-finals, while those finishing ninth to 24th have a chance to advance to the playoffs via an additional round.
Bookmaker 1xBet has identified the tournament's top favorites: London's Arsenal and Munich's Bayern. We explain why these teams have the best chances and who else will be in contention.
Arteta and Kompany's Cars: What's Good About Arsenal and Bayern
Arsenal looks the most balanced team in the Champions League. Martinelli and Győkeres sparkle in attack, scoring 10 goals between them. Declan Rice anchors the midfield, and the defense is practically flawless. The Londoners confidently won the league stage, earning a maximum of 24 points. Eight wins, a better goal difference (+19), and only four goals conceded make them the best defense in the tournament.
The bookmaker gives the Gunners a 22% chance of winning the Champions League. The club has a real chance of winning the Champions League trophy. Their previous best result was the 2006 final.
Munich is not far behind the Londoners. Second place in the league stage, with 21 points and 22 goals scored, Bayern traditionally relies on attack. Harry Kane, with eight goals, is one of the tournament's top scorers, while Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz add creativity and pace. Their average goal-scoring is almost three per match.
Six Champions League victories and a wealth of experience in knockout stages make the Germans an extremely undesirable opponent in the playoffs. The title probability is 18%.
You can bet on team triumphs using 1xBet bonuses . For example, free bets allow you to place a bet at the bookmaker's expense.
Parisians, Catalans, and others: who will bring the fight?
According to bookmakers, four more teams are in contention for the 2025/2026 Champions League title. Their probability of winning ranges from 10% to 13%.
- Barcelona . Under Hans-Dieter Flick, the Catalans are playing monstrously. Lewandowski, Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Rafinha are terrorizing all opponents. However, the Catalans are currently struggling defensively—their 14 goals conceded this season underscore this.
- Manchester City . This season, the Citizens have been playing more cautiously, focusing on ball control. Despite this, they advanced directly to the last 16, know how to win such tournaments, and remain dangerous in the knockout stages.
- PSG . The Parisians are the only team on the list to begin the playoffs with an extra round. However, that was also the case last season, which ended with their triumph. The Red and Blues have no rivals in France's Ligue 1, and their title win is only a matter of time. Therefore, they can focus on the Champions League.
- Liverpool . The reigning English champions are in a tizzy across all competitions in the 2025/2026 season. Even so, they had a solid first stage, finishing third. Arne Sloth's side have repeatedly proven they can destroy opponents when they find their rhythm. Liverpool also have six Champions League titles to their name.
