Women’s Champions League: Blockbuster Round One Matchups on the Cards
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Group A: Le Giallorosse Out-and-Out Favourites
Serie A champions Roma, a perennial force in Europe, were one of the teams to watch during the draw with many feeling that the group they finished in would likely be the most competitive. As it turns out, that seems to be exactly the case, with Le Giallorosse joined by eight-time winners Lyon and six-time finalists Wolfsburg also inserted into Group A of the competition. Rounding out the group are debutants Galatasaray whose hopes of progression are likely to hinge on Colombian star Catalina Usme. Wolfsburg lost Lena Oberdorf and Ewa Pajor this summer, which has made Lyon and Roma the favourites to progress from this group, according to Bet365.
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Bet on the Women's Champions LeagueGroup B: WSL Champions Expected to Dominate
Women’s Super League champions Chelsea have been drawn into Group B and will no doubt be extremely satisfied with how this season's draw has worked out for them. Indeed, the Blues are one of the shortest-priced sides in the competition at Dafabet to progress, with Real Madrid expected to pose their biggest test. However, the Spanish giants' relatively disappointing record in the Champions League makes them, on paper anyway, clear second-favourite to Sonia Bompastor’s troops. The underdogs of Group B are Celtic, who have also made history this season, qualifying for the competition for the first time, but reaching the knockouts seems a tall order. Eredivisie Champions Twente are considered the dark horse in this section and an opening-round win over the Hoops will put them in a very strong position to press Los Blancos on matchday three.
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Place a wager on Chelsea to top Group BGroup C: Gunners Return to CL in Group of Death
Arsenal are back in the group stage of the Champions League after missing out on the competition last season, but the Gunners have been given the undoubted trickiest draw of the three English representatives in the tournament. Of course, the one fixture that stands out above the rest is Arsenal vs Bayern Munich - a rerun of the 2022-23 Champions League quarter-final which the Gunners won 2-1 on aggregate, but the Bavarians have brought in a few good players since then and are quietly fancied by Betway to be a force in Europe this season. Outside of the two frontrunners above are Juventus, who delivered the result of qualifying rounds to send last season’s semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain packing and are certainly one to watch. Finally, Norwegian champions Valerenga are expected to struggle in this group, but rest assured, Jonas Eidevall’s team are not just here to make up the numbers.
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Bet on Arsenal to qualify for the knockoutsGroup D: Stern Test Awaits Champions League Debutants Manchester City
It is going to be a historic season for Manchester City regardless of where they finish in the competition, as they are set to make their first-ever appearance in the Champions League. The debutants have cracked a relatively favourable draw, inserted into Group D alongside Hammarby and St Polten - two sides they will fancy getting the better off, particularly at home. However, Gareth Taylor's side have arguably the sternest test of any side in the competition on opening week when they welcome Champions League defending champions Barcelona to Manchester City Joie Stadium on Wednesday, October 9. This matchup is likely to be dripping in class with the likes of Keira Walsh, Ellie Roebuck and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, all on display. As it stands, the popular consensus seems to be that it will come as a huge shock if City and Barca do not qualify for the knockout stages from this section.
