With the UEFA Champions League draw in order, the futures market has opened up for the winner of the Champions League. For anyone who does not know, the UEFA Champions League is a soccer (European Football) competition amongst the top teams in Europe. This is a league of leagues, so to speak. Rather than wait until league play begins, one can typically find great soccer odds when placing bets through the futures market. The futures market allows a potential bettor to speculate on who will win the Champions League prior to the start. Often, you can latch on to a great team at great odds. If they win the league outright, you will be rewarded appropriately.

Overview of Soccer Odds for the 2010 UEFA Champions League

Barcelona are the chalk at four to one. FC Barce are the defending champions of Europe, having defeated 2008 Champions League winners Manchester United for the crown of Europe’s best club team. Feared striker Leo Messi leads Barcelona towards attempting a repeat victory in their title defense.

Real Madrid commands 9 to 2 odds, despite the consistent track record of underperforming and disappointing. Real have bought and paid for an entire squad of all-star footballers, including a record signing of Manchester United standout Cristiano Ronaldo for $80 million. While there is no doubt Real Madrid hold what can be billed as the greatest collection of footballers in club soccer today, there are questions as to whether there is enough footballs to go around, as there are many an ego to make happy on this squad. When a lone club has the likes of Kaka, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Benzema, Raul, and Guti, Xabi Alonso in their pool of starters – it is difficult to keep everyone happy.

Next up on the UEFA Champions League soccer betting depth chart are English Clubs Chelsea (six to one), Arsenal and 2008 European Champions Manchester United (each coming in at 8 to 1 odds). Not even considered a contender a few weeks back, Arsenal played their way into the competition at the expense of Celtic. Despite losing key members of the club, Arsenal have regrouped and look sharp, to say the least. Of the three English sides mentioned, Chelsea look the strongest, which is reflected in their 6 to 1 odds.

Perhaps the best value in the CL Pool comes from Italy in AC Milan at 25 to 1, or Juventus at 22 to 1. Despite the long soccer odds of these clubs though, it is difficult to envision the 2010 Champions League crown leaving Spain. The smart money is on either FC Barce or Real Madrid to win. At 4 to 1 and 9 to 2 respectively, these clubs provide reality and value in their soccer odds to win the UEFA Champions League crown in 2010.