Underdogs to Watch

Surprise Teams in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage

The UEFA Champions League has always been known for producing unexpected storylines, with underdog teams often rising to the occasion. Whether it’s an unexpected upset or a smaller club making an unexpected run deep into the tournament, this competition thrives on unpredictability.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the excitement is even more palpable due to a new tournament format. The league phase allows more teams to compete against different opponents, increasing the possibility of surprises. Historically, the Champions League has had moments where teams like Porto in 2004 or Ajax in 2019 exceeded all expectations. The 2024/25 Champions League looks like it could deliver yet another exciting storyline where smaller clubs challenge Europe's elite teams. It will be an exciting season for the betting fans, and with closely fought games, many new players will also be drawn to the betting. For those new to betting, the Bet9ja bonus for new users provides a great starting point.

Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb has long been one of those teams that, while not regularly grabbing headlines, can always spring a surprise. They’ve pulled off big wins before—Chelsea found that out in the 2022/23 group stage. And this season, with a more balanced fixture list, the Croatian champions look poised for more upsets.

Key players like Bruno Petković will be central to their efforts. Zagreb has a knack for playing the big occasion well. They don’t need to face the top-tier sides every week, which suits them. With winnable matches against Celtic and Slovan Bratislava, Dinamo could gather enough points early to make a serious run at the playoffs.

Young Boys
Young Boys from Switzerland is another under-rated team. After doing well in the playoffs, they’re back in the group stage, where they knocked out Galatasaray. Their games against Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are expected to be close.

Young Boys thrive in high-energy, fast-paced matches. Their aggressive style and disciplined defending could frustrate their bigger opponents. It’s not just about how they fare against Barcelona or Dortmund—what really matters are their games against Sturm Graz and Dinamo Zagreb. Steal a couple of wins there, and they’ll be in the mix for the knockout rounds.

Sparta Praha
Sparta Praha entered this season’s Champions League as one of the most unpredictable teams. While their group draw is far from favorable, facing the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, their recent form in European competitions signals they aren’t content with just making up the numbers. The Czech club’s journey to the Champions League this year has been incredible, and they will give tough competition to Bayern and Madrid.

Their real opportunity lies in the matches against lesser-known opponents, where grabbing points will be crucial for any hope of progressing. Matches against mid-tier teams like Celtic and Slovan Bratislava could be crucial, and Sparta will need to be sharp from the outset to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Celtic’s European Redemption
Celtic, three-time consecutive Scottish champions, find themselves in a group with manageable opposition, raising hopes that they can finally make a mark in Europe after several seasons of underperformance. 

Celtic won't be able to easily face teams like Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, but it does open up chances for success. 

After struggling in Europe recently, Brendan Rodgers’ team needs to make the most of their home matches against Dinamo Zagreb, Young Boys, and Slovan Bratislava to move forward.

Summary
The 2024/25 Champions League group stage is set to deliver more than a few surprises as underdog teams like Dinamo Zagreb, Young Boys, and Sparta Praha look to make their mark. Each of these clubs has shown resilience and the potential to challenge Europe’s more established sides. With the tournament’s new format giving smaller teams a better shot, we may see one or more of these underdogs progress further than expected.