When UEFA announced its plans for a revamped UEFA Champions League, doing away with the old group stage model and introducing the so-called 'Swiss Model', there was plenty of negative speculation from journalists and fans about how it would pan out.
However, with the 'league phase' drawing to a close, it's safe to say that plenty of minds have been changed, as the opening stage of this season's Champions League continues to shock and entertain. Fans from across the world have been scrambling to get a promo code for Betano in order to stake their claim for who will navigate this league minefield and go all the way.
It's been far more unpredictable than the old format, with some of Europe's biggest clubs on the brink of an early exit and some underdog stories capturing the hearts of viewers across the world.
With one game to go, several clubs are battling for the chance to finish in the top 8 and avoid the playoff round, which includes all teams that finish between 9th and 24th. Meanwhile, there are still several places in that big middle group up for grabs for teams currently in the bottom 12 and on their way out of the competition.
The change was designed to reduce the number of 'dead rubbers' taking place towards the end of the group stage and it has certainly done that, with very few final ties meaning nothing. It is tight at the top, in the middle and at the bottom.
Next Wednesday (Jan 29) the eighth and final gameweek of the 'league phase' will take place and after the dust is settled 8 of the 36 teams will be guaranteed passage into the final 16, 12 teams will be eliminated, and 16 will have to navigate that knockout playoff in order to join the top 8 in the next round.
With experts finding it very hard to judge who is most likely to even make it that far, and at least one giant club almost certain to be eliminated early, it is perplexing to predict who will lift the trophy in the end.
Nonetheless, the bookies have done their best, with some clubs dominating the league phase and hoping to take that form all the way and lift the trophy.
Here are the bookies favourites to win the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool (4/1 favourites)
Many people thought the Liverpool job could be a poison chalice after the departure of beloved coach Jurgen Klopp but Arne Slot has put all fears to bed by settling in on Merseyside immediately. The Dutchman could have been forgiven for overseeing a transitional season but instead, he looks on course to romp away to the Premier League title and go deep in the Champions League.
With talk, as it often does, starting to percolate about a quadruple, pundits are starting to see Liverpool as very real candidates to win another Champions League, as do the bookies.
The Reds sit clear at the top as we come to the end of the 'league phase'. They remain the only team to have won all seven of their games so far and will be favourably seeded going into the last 16.
Mohamed Salah has rediscovered his blistering best form, the rest of the squad has been stable and reliable and Arne Slot is making correct decision after correct decision. Liverpool are understandably the bookies' favourites to go on and win the lot.
Arsenal (6/1)
Arguably Liverpool's closest, while still somewhat distant, rivals for the Premier League, Arsenal, are right up there with the bookies to push them all the way in the Champions League too.
They sit in third place, having picked up 16 points from an available 21, and are looking to be one of the strongest sides in the competition, which is unsurprising considering their performances in both domestic and European competition across recent seasons.
Having survived a slight dip in form, caused mostly by the absence of the talismanic Martin Odegaard, the Gunners look to be ready to give it a strong final push at home and abroad.
Once again Mikel Arteta's side seem to be lacking a potent striker to really put them over the top, something which has hamstrung them in the league. However, they are reportedly in the market to bring in a big-name frontman during the January transfer window.
Real Madrid (6/1)
Real Madrid have been somewhat stuttering in the Champions League this season, but you can never count Los Blancos out.
They sit in the middle of the pack, but still able to reach the top 8 if things go their way next week. Nonetheless, you would expect them to navigate a playoff against almost anybody, and once they are into the final stages, they have to be favoured - this is their competition.
The reigning champions have started to click in La Liga, after a very slow start allowed bitter rivals Barcelona to build up a sizeable lead on them, and city rivals Atletico Madrid to also enjoy a spell on top. Those days are over and Carlo Ancelotti's men are back at the summit going into this weekend's action.
With Mbappe finally settled in, and the likes of Vini Jr, Bellingham and a host of stars to call upon, it is very hard to bet against Real Madrid winning yet another UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona (6/1)
Hansi Flick's side are also heavily favoured by bookies. They sit second in the league phase table going into the final gameweek, behind only Liverpool.
After a phenomenal start to the season domestically, the train has come off the tracks somewhat and chaos has started to reign supreme, stunting their points tally.
However, in the UCL, they have shown their hunger, most recently when coming back to beat Benfica away from home 5-4, in what will surely go down as one of the best UEFA Champions League matches of all time.
Hansi Flick's side cannot be counted out. The German won this trophy himself with Bayern Munich some years ago and has a squad full of ability to draw from. Whether they have what it takes to win the four knockout games after the playoff and win the big prize remains to be seen.
