Barcelona were handed a favourable group in the Champions League as they aim to secure a third title in five years. The Catalan giants won their group for the sixth consecutive season and were drawn against AC Milan.
They are now 21/10 (3.10) to win the tournament having been available to back at 11/4 following the conclusion of the group stages, no doubt due to some very tough fixtures for some of the other fancied sides.
AC Milan are given virtually no hope of progressing to the quarter-finals, following two games against the Catalan giants, who have made a very impressive start to the domestic season. The Italian side are a massive 80/1 (81.0) for European glory.
The two remaining English representatives were given very difficult draws in the eyes of the bookmakers, with Manchester United paired with Real Madrid and are unmoved at 12/1 (13.0) for victory.
Real Madrid finished second in Group D and Jose Mourinho’s men will have to negotiate a two-legged tie against United if they are to progress, a clash that will see Cristiano Ronaldo face his former side. The reigning Spanish champions have been pushed out from 7/2 (4.50) to 4/1 (5.0).
Arsenal meanwhile, were handed a clash against last season’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich (7/1) and are now a best priced 33/1 (34.0) to win the competition.
The Gunners were one of the biggest movers in terms of odds following the draw, having previously been priced at 25/1 (26.0).
Chelsea were the first Champions League winners to have their defence ended in the group stage, missing out on qualification to Juventus, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Celtic’s reward for qualification under Neil Lennon is two games against Italian Champions. The Scottish side are still longshots at 100/1 (101.0) for victory, while Juventus have seen their odds clipped from 14/1 (15.0) to 10/1 (11.0).