Champions League odds

The Champions League final in May is one of the most hotly-anticipated events in the sporting calendar and the big betting event brings Europe’s top club competition to a conclusion.

Formerly known as the European Cup, the title was changed in 1992 by the governing body UEFA and the popularity of the competition has continued to rise ever since.

The 2012/13 final was an all-German affair between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund and it was Munich who prevailed in a 2-1 victory.

That match was the most-watched final to date, with the Wembley showpiece drawing 360 million television viewers.

Bayern Munich won the 2013 Champions League odds

The most successful team in the UEFA Champions League is Real Madrid and they have often topped the betting for the tournament before a ball has been kicked.

Winners of the trophy in the first five seasons it was contested, Madrid have added four further wins and their total of nine Champions League wins is two clear of AC Milan who have also finished as runner-up on four occasions.

Bayern’s win last season took their title to five – the same as Liverpool who are the most successful British team in the tournament’s history.

Steven Gerrard led Liverpool to a famous victory in 2005 when they came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan.

Goals from Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso ensured that the match went to penalties and English fans were sent into a frenzy when Jerzy Dudek saved Andriy Shevchenko’s deciding penalty.

Liverpool won the 2005 Champions League odds

Other English teams to have won Europe’s premier prize include Manchester United (three wins), Nottingham Forest (2), Chelsea (1) and Aston Villa (1).

Celtic remain the only Scottish team to have won the competition, creating history in 1967 by beating Inter Milan and becoming the very first British club to lift the prize.

The odds on a British side lifting the magnificent trophy in 2013/14 are good, with Celtic, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea all making it to the group stages.

One player hoping to make even more history is Ryan Giggs.

The Man Utd midfielder has made the most Champions League appearances, whilst his rival Raul tops the list of goalscorers.

However Lionel Messi is not far behind and the odds on him topping that table before long must be very short.