Champions League Betting Preview: Group stage

The group stage draw went down in Monaco on Thursday. With the first matchday less than three weeks away, the staff at theScore put on their prognosticator hats to offer up their picks with an eye on finding value on the betting board.

Group A odds

There's a very real possibility that Paris Saint-Germain will be sitting atop Group A when all is said and done. Angel Di Maria knows the workings of Real Madrid, his former club, and PSG is overdue for success in the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain to win Group A at 7/4 - Carlo Campo

Group B odds

Manchester United was welcomed back to the Champions League with quite the gift Thursday, avoiding the perennial powers in Pot 1, and instead getting PSV. Meanwhile, while Wolfsburg is an exciting attacking unit - with or without Kevin De Bruyne - and the trip to CSKA Moscow will be tricky, the Red Devils are the class of this section. Manchester United to win Group B at 4/7 - Gianluca Nesci

Group C odds

Benfica is the only serious challenger to Atletico Madrid. Galatasaray, while a perennial favourite to win the Turkish Super Lig, is always a step behind the pace in Europe. Poor Astana is among the least likely of the 32 clubs to emerge from the groups. Atletico Madrid to win Group C at 4/11 - Anthony Lopopolo

Group D odds

Manchester City is the favourite by the numbers, but Juventus isn't too far behind. This is a tough group to call because the results really depend on the outcome of Juventus vs. Manchester City over two legs. Sevilla can make itself quite the nuisance in this group as well. Manchester City to win Group D at 11/10 - Armen Bedakian

Group E odds

The favourite generally isn't where value should be sought, but it's nearly impossible to imagine a scenario in which Barcelona doesn't top Group E. Simply put, the Catalan club is a step ahead of AS Roma, a kilometre ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, and a galaxy ahead of BATE Borisov. Barcelona to win Group E at 1/8 - C​ampo

Group F odds

Olympiacos and Dinamo Zagreb are just here to make up the numbers, which leaves only Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The Germans are the favourites, and with good reason, but if you fancy taking a shot with an underdog, you could certainly do a lot worse than betting on the Gunners. Arsenal to win Group F at 21/10 - Nesci

Group G odds

Chelsea and Porto, who participate regularly in the Champions League, should make easy work of Dynamo Kyiv and Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The Premier League champion has one of the most organized teams in Europe, and should top the group. Porto is the next best, while Kyiv and Tel-Aviv simply lack big-game experience. Chelsea to win Group G at 2/7 - Lopopolo

Group H odds

A group for the neutrals, Valencia has a slight advantage over Lyon and Zenit St. Petersburg, but it isn't much. The Spanish side should finish first barring any sort of resistance by the French side, and, led by Alexandre Lacazette, that doesn't seem all too impossible. As for Gent? No chance. Valencia to win Group H at 11/10 - Bedakian

(Odds courtesy: William Hill)