Champions League Group B betting

Group B Champions League odds and tips

Group B at first glance is probably the most open of the eight with Olympique Lyonnais, FC Schalke 04, Benfica and Hapoel Tel Aviv making up the quartet. Last years semi-finalists Lyon are much fancied to top the group after their impressive showing but it is difficult to discount both the German and Portuguese opposition. Israeli’ Champions Hapoel are the only non-European club in the group stages after winning their domestic title for the first time in a decade, but most would agree that they could struggle to pick up points in this line-up.

Group B winner odds

Lyon – Best odds 15/8 VC Bet
Schalke – Best odds 2/1 Stan James
Benfica – Best odds 11/4 Coral
Hapoel Tel Aviv – Best odds 25/1 Sky Bet

In such a tight group, Lyon have been chalked up as favourites to finish as group winners at 15/8 (Victor Chandler) and this bet must be proceeded with caution. Forgetting last seasons performance, Lyon could only finish runners-up to Marseille in Ligue 1 last term having won the French league no fewer than on seven occasions in the last ten years. So there is an element of doubt as to whether Lyon are on a downward spiral but their home form should see them comfortably through to the knockout stages.

Bundesliga runners-up last season FC Schalke are the real interesting contenders in Group B. Under manager Felix Magath they are likely to go well after two years in the wilderness without Champions League football. However, the last time they were involved in the 2007/08 they did reach the quarter-final stage and they will be targeting a similar performance this time around. While the 2/1 (Paddy Power) odds for them to finish top of the group seem a little short, they can certainly progress at odds of 4/5(Bwin.com) which seems more sensible. They kick-off their campaign in away to Lyon and will be hoping to avoid defeat in France which might relinquish any strong hopes of progressing.

During the early 1960s when the Champions League was effectively known as the European Cup, Benfica were winners on two consecutive occasions (1960/61 and 1961/62). The current Portuguese champions more recently have struggled in the competition, falling at the first hurdle in both 2006/07 and 2007/08 relegating them into the Europa League. They have spent the last two seasons challenging for this honour and they may have to settle for the same again. They can be overlooked in Group B and they may well only play a minor role by finishing third. However, surprises are aplenty in the Champions League and if they can transfer last seasons domestic form into Europe they hold every chance of qualification at 8/11 but preference is for Schalke at 4/7.

When we talk about Hapoel Tel Aviv we enter the unknown a little. The Israeli’s are making their Champions League bow after overcoming Austrian side Salzburg in the qualification round with a 4-3 aggregate win. The nine million pound payday the club will receive for reaching the group stages may be the only good thing to come out of the Champions League however and they will struggle to register a point on the board. This is justified with the bookies 1/7 on odds that they go no further than the group stages. They make their European debut in Benfica’s Estadio Da Luz and this one can be regarded as a home banker at 2/5 (Bet365). Tel Aviv are 13/2 with Paddy Power but very few, if any will be nibbling on the Israeli’s. A draw (10/3) may be the best they can hope for but that also looks out of their reach.

Reccomended bets: Spurs to qualify at 4/5 with Coral – Free £10 bet for new customers

Click here to view all free bets from online bookmakers