For the first time in many years, we have seen a major change to the format of the Champions League, the largest club tournament in Europe and perhaps the world. This affects both the appearance of the tournament and the prospects for sports betting at Betinia.

On this page, we will take a closer look at what the new Champions League format has to offer, what you can expect from the Champions League season 2024/25 and how you should approach your football betting during the season.

What’s new in the Champions League 2024/25?

To begin with, the Champions League will consist of more clubs than before from this season. Four more places have been added and 36 clubs will begin the first part of the tournament, the league phase.

Previously, the Champions League began with a group stage, with eight groups and four teams in each group. Now, instead, there are 36 clubs competing in a single large series according to the Swiss model.

The new Champions League format has an impact on both the first half of the tournament and the subsequent playoffs. Among other things, we will enjoy more matches, and thus greater opportunities for sports betting with Betinia.

Changes for the group stage and playoffs in the Champions League new format

What is new in the Champions League is that the groups have been abolished and a league phase has been introduced. Each team will play two more matches than in previous editions, with eight matches instead of six matches.

There are also eight matches against eight different opponents, which have been determined by a draw. 36 clubs are divided into four seeding pots, which play less of a role than before. Each club will face two clubs from each seeding pot.

During the group stage, which is now a league phase, the goal is to collect as many points as possible. As usual, there are three points for a win and one point for a draw. After eight matches for each team, the table is summed up and we have a result.

With the new format of the Champions League, the eight best placed teams advance directly to the round of 16. For teams 9-24 in the table, a playoff awaits, where a place in the round of 16 is up for grabs. A team from position 9-16 is drawn to face a team that has placed 17-24 in a double match.

For teams that finish in positions 25 to 36, the season is over. Unlike previous years, there is no escape plan that involves playing in the Europa League play-offs.

The new format will help ensure that more teams have something to play for all the way into the final round. Keep this in mind when you take advantage of football betting tips and place your sports bets during the season.

Once it is clear which 16 clubs will advance to the round of 16, the tournament will continue just like in previous editions, with double matches until the final, which will be decided in a match for the title. You can already place your bet online at Betinia on which team will win the Champions League.

Tips for football betting at Betinia on the Champions League: How to succeed

Despite a new format, much remains the same in the Champions League season 2024/25. For you as a player, there are still good opportunities for sports betting and to take advantage of the best that betting Sweden has to offer with our help.

When you are going to place your bets on football in Betinia online casino, you have a wide range of matches both before and during kick-off. Our live betting section ensures that you can play all the way until the final whistle.

It is of great importance that you do an analysis before a match and make sure you are well-informed before placing a sports bet. You can also take advantage of football betting tips from experts around the web.

By doing an analysis that includes the table position, form, head-to-head matches, injuries, suspensions and external conditions, you give yourself better chances to succeed with your odds betting.

If you haven’t played at Betinia before, you can do so with the help of our Betinia promotions, with a welcome bonus for new players.

Important teams to keep an eye on during the 2024/25 Champions League season

As usual, there are a couple of clubs that have an extra good chance of going far in the tournament in advance and that you should take a closer look at for odds betting. The category contains both favorites and clubs that have the potential to make a splash.

The former category consists of last year’s winners Real Madrid, who with Kylian Mbappé as the new spearhead are expected to go far. The club has the ability to take another step up in the Champions League context.

Manchester City have celebrated great success at home in England but have only won one Champions League title to date. With players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva, there is enough star power to go all the way a second time.

Betting odds also give Bayern Munich, who were without titles last year, a good chance of fighting for the title. With one of the world’s best strikers in the form of Harry Kane, they should definitely not be counted out.

  • Real Madrid
  • Manchester City
  • Bayern Munich
  • Liverpool
  • Arsenal
  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • FC Barcelona
  • Inter

Players and teams that can surprise

If you are looking for higher odds games when you are going to place your bet online at Betinia, there are a couple of teams that you can take a look at. Last year’s sensation Bayer Leverkusen has been able to keep their top players, including Florian Wirtz, and is a contender.

Juventus is back on the big stage and has the goal of regaining the throne in their homeland, but also to go far in the Champions League 2024/25. Italian club teams have done well in Europe in recent years and Juventus has something exciting going on.

Aston Villa is back in the fine room and has in Ollie Watkins one of Europe’s most exciting strikers. Although it is with very high betting odds, Aston Villa, who have one of the world’s best goalkeepers in Emiliano Martinez, can go far in the tournament.

  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Juventus
  • Aston Villa

There is no club with as much success in the Champions League over the years as Real Madrid. With 15 titles, eight of which came in the 2000s, the club has shown that there is a winning culture within the walls of the Spanish capital.

We have to go back to the 2009/10 season to find an edition of the Champions League that was not won by a Spanish, English or German club. It may be worth considering for your Champions League football betting.

A trend for the finals of the tournament in recent years is that there are only goals in one direction. The last six finals have ended with one team keeping a clean sheet. The last time both teams scored was when Real Madrid defeated Liverpool in the 2017/18 final.

How does the Champions League’s new format affect your football betting strategy?

Sports betting with Betinia for the 2024/25 Champions League season will be a little different with the new format. There will be more matches played in the league phase and, above all, more matches of value.

If you are going to place a bet online at the beginning of the tournament, you should keep in mind that the big teams may need a couple of matches before they get going, or switch up. The big bangers are likely to come at this stage of the tournament.

Note that the matches in the final rounds will also count for something, since not too many points are required to take a place among the top 24 clubs. In other words, there will be very few rejected matches with given results. For your online betting, this means that you have to be careful in your preparations and your analyses.

FAQ

1 What are the big changes in the 2024/25 Champions League?

More teams (36 total), a new Swiss league phase instead of groups, eight matches per team, one big table and a new playoff for teams ranked 9–24.

2 How does the new format affect betting?

There are more matches and more data. Take time to read trends, see which teams adapt best, and look for value early and late in the league phase.

3 Who are the favorites this year?

Traditional giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich lead the odds, but Arsenal, Liverpool and other top clubs are in the mix too.

4 Does Betinia have special markets for the Champions League?

Yes — Betinia offers outright bets, top scorer, match odds, live betting and more, with markets for every match day.