6-1 Chelsea expected to lead the way in Europe
MANCHESTER CITY celebrated their dramatic qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday but bookmakers expect Chelsea to lead the Premier League charge in Europe this season.
The Blues are 6-1 to win the trophy with City 12-1 and Arsenal, who face a tough set of possible last-16 opponents in Monday’s draw, out to 33-1.
Chelsea, the only group winners among the trio, are 8-11 favourites to be the furthest-progressing English team but the prospects look bleaker for their London rivals Arsenal.
Boylesports are betting on the stage of elimination for each of the Premier League teams and the Gunners are just 8-13 to crash out in the last 16.
City are 6-5 to be eliminated in the round of 16 while Chelsea are 7-2 to suffer a repeat of last season’s semi-final exit.
Bayern Munich are general 3-1 favourites for the trophy, just ahead of Real Madrid at 10-3 and 5-1 chances Barcelona. PSG and Atletico Madrid are 20-1 shots.
Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano leads the race for the Golden Boot on nine goals but Lionel Messi, who is just one behind, is the 5-4 favourite.
Adriano, whose side are 250-1 outsiders for the tournament alongside Basel, is a 3-1 shot while layers are showing plenty of respect to Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored five group-stage goals and is 4-1 for the Golden Boot.
Possible last-16 Champions League opponents (draw takes place at 11am on Monday) – Arsenal: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Porto, Monaco; Chelsea: Juventus, Basel, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk; Manchester City: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Monaco.
