Who are the Champions League dark horses that are worth keeping an eye out for in 2023?

Although it might be Premier League giants Manchester City who are tipped to claim a maiden Champions League crown in 2023, this season’s knockout stage looks set to be a mouth-watering affair.

With all of Europe’s elite left stunned as the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus all failed to find a route past the group stage last year, we have a host of new contenders in the Champions League winner 0dds, including some double figure prices that are worthy of a second look.

While heavyweights such as City, PSG and defending champions Real Madrid might steal centre stage, there are three other European icons who could be looking to upset the establishment.

As the Champions League knockout stage gets underway on Valentine’s Day, we have taken an in-depth look at who it could be worth keeping an eye out for.

 

Napoli’s Champions League Odds Continue to Fall

While Napoli might have shocked many across Italy last season as they claimed a bronze medal finish, few would have expected what has been nothing short of a fairy tale campaign at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits on either side of the World Cup break, it appears that the Azzurri are breezing their way towards Serie A history in 2023.

Climbing over every hurdle that comes their way and knowing that it would take an almighty collapse for them not to claim a first domestic crown since 1990, Napoli are riding what has been a remarkable wave of momentum.

Quickly gaining a fearsome reputation from across Europe, some in Luciano Spalletti’s camp could also be smelling the chance to spring a famous Champions League upset this year.

Winning five of their six Group A appearances and snatching top spot ahead of Premier League giants Liverpool, Napoli also notched 20 Champions League strikes – the best-attacking tally of any club in this season’s tournament.

Getting their knockout stage adventure underway priced as high as 11/1 to claim a maiden Champions League crown, the Italian trailblazers will be hoping to lay down an early marker when they meet Eintracht Frankfurt on February 21st.

Of all outsiders from the last 16, Napoli’s odds to win the Champions League are the most appealing, especially with a very winnable last 16 fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt. They fear nobody and have a formidable striking trio that will score goals against any opposition.

How far can Napoli go in the Champions League? 🔵🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/GTQDTL54Z0

— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) February 8, 2023

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Which Bookies has the Best Odds for Napoli to win the Champions League?

Checking the latest Champions League odds, we can see that the best odds for Napoli to win the 2023 Champions League are 13/1 at BetUK.

Compare this to the worst odds available, which are 9/1 and if you bet £10 on Napoli winning the Champions League, you would win an extra £40 for betting at BetUK compared to one of the bookies who are only offering 9/1!

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Borussia Dortmund 50/1 to win the 2023 Champions League

Watching Bayern Munich show some extended domestic inconsistencies since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, Borussia Dortmund are really starting to believe they’re in a genuine Bundesliga title scrap.

Despite heading into the festive interval in the midst of a wobble, the German giants have come roaring back in some style and will open their Champions League knockout stage adventure with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

While Edin Terzic’s side might find themselves priced as high as 50/1 in the Champions League odds to spring a stunning Champions League upset in 2023, the one-time West Ham coach should be fancying the chance for his high-flying squad to make a real statement on February 15th.

With Premier League heavyweights Chelsea making the trip to rural Germany without an away victory to their name since back in October, Dortmund could be thinking that they have been handed a favourable European draw.

Wrapping up second spot in Group G behind Manchester City last year, Terzic’s side have won each of their previous six straight domestic appearances across all competitions and are certainly worth keeping an eye out for over the coming weeks.

 

Benfica to build on Domination of Group of Death

Signing off their Group H adventure with a stunning 6-1 romp away at Maccabi Haifa on November 2nd, Benfica are another Champions League dark horse who has continued to gain a string of admirers this season and the latest Benfica odds to win the Champions League are 25/1 with the William Hill free bet offer.

Despite eventually finishing 17 points adrift of claiming a 38th Primeira Liga crown last season, the Portuguese icons have certainly found their feet since appointing ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt last summer.

Sat firmly in pole position to get their hands on a first domestic title since 2019, Benfica also laid down what was a stellar Champions League marker prior to the World Cup break.

In fact, along with topping Group H ahead of European powerhouses PSG and Juventus, Benfica also clinched back-to-back victories against the Old Lady last year and successfully navigated what looked like a group of death with two of European footballs biggest sides having to settle for second and third place.

Getting their knockout stage run underway when they travel to Belgium-based outfit Club Brugge on February 15th, Schmidt’s side have also become renowned for their free-scoring displays on the European stage.

Currently priced as high as 25/1 to lift a first European trophy since the historic consecutive success in 1961 and 1962, Benfica are another Champions League dark horse who shouldn’t be looked past.

 

2023 Champions League Winner Prediction

With the likes of Manchester City and PSG faultering domestically at time this season, this could be one of the years when somebody upsets the apple cart and wins the Champions League when we least expect it.

Although it wouldn’t be a shock on the scale of the Porto Champions League win in 2004, it would still be a surprise to see Napoli lift the biggest prize in club football. They are dominating the Serie A title race and breezed through what was a tough looking Champions League group. With a last 16 match against Eintracht Frankfurt in which they’re the 1/2 to qualify for the UCL quarter finals, anything can happen as we go deeper into the tournament and with some luck in the quater and semi-final draws, Napoli could go all the way in this season’s Champions League.

 

2022/2023 Champions League Winner Odds

• Manchester City @ 7/4
• Bayern Munich @ 13/2
• PSG @ 8/1
• Liverpool @ 10/1
• Real Madrid @ 10/1
• Napoli @ 10/1
• Chelsea @ 16/1
• Tottenham @ 20/1
• Benfica @ 28/1
• Inter Milan @ 33/1
• AC Milan @ 50/1
• Borussia Dortmund @ 50/1
• Porto @ 100/1
• RB Leipzig @ 100/1
• Eintrach Frankfurt @ 100/1
• Club Brugge @ 150/1

All the Champions League odds are from bet365 and are correct at the time of writing. If you don’t have a bet365 account yet, you can register and get £50 in Champions League free bets ready for the knock-out stages of the competition.

 

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