It may be an international break in the men's game, but there are some cracking club fixtures on the horizon this week as the Women's Champions League makes its return.

Only 16 teams qualify for the elite club competition, and although some big hitters such as Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester United are missing, it has the potential to be an intriguing tournament.

Defending champions Barcelona are outright favourites at 8/13, and Lyon and Chelsea are expected to be their closest challengers at 5/1 and 7/1, respectively.

Here is a look at a group-by-group preview of this season's competition.

What:	Women's Champions League 2023/24
Where:	Europe
When:	Tuesday 14th November 2023 - Saturday 25th May 2024
How to watch:	DAZN
Odds:	Barcelona Women 8/13, Lyon Women 5/1, Chelsea Women 7/1, Bayern Munich Women 12/1, PSG Women 12/1, Real Madrid Women 16/1

Group A

Teams: Barcelona, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica and Rosengard

When looking for potential winners of this season's Women's Champions League, punters should look no further than Barcelona, who are 8/13 to make it back-to-back titles.

Last season Barca took down Roma and Chelsea en route to the final in which they beat Wolfsburg 3-2 to lift the trophy for the second time.

With Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati running the show in midfield, this Barcelona team has a core of players from Spain's World Cup-winning side and could well dominate once again.

They are 1/50 to top Group A which also features Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica and Rosengard.

At 1/5, Eintracht Frankfurt are the next favourites to qualify from the section, while Benfica and Rosengard will not have fond memories of having played Barcelona last season.

Benfica lost their two games by an aggregate scoreline of 15-2, while Rosengard were beaten 10-1 across their two matches. 
 

Group B

Teams: Lyon, Slavia Prague, St Polten and Brann

Group B is all about Lyon, who are 1/66 shots to top their group.

Lyon hold the record for the most Women's Champions League titles with eight, although last season they crashed out in the quarter-final stage.

They should not have any issues in this section though as they are joined by three relative minnows - Czech champions Slavia Prague, Austrian champions St Polten and Norwegian champions Brann.

While it seems like a foregone conclusion as to who will finish top of this group, the battle for second is more open with Polten 11/8 to qualify, Brann 5/2 and Slavia Prague priced at 6/4.
 

Group C

Teams: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Ajax

Group C is the closest this year's Women's Champions League comes to a ‘Group of Death’ with juggernauts Bayern Munich and PSG joined by in-form Roma and Ajax.

Bayern and PSG are both rated 12/1 in the outright market and there is nothing between them in the group betting either with both clubs 1/1 to top the group. Roma are 10/1 to come out on top and can be backed at 5/2 to qualify for the knockout phase.

PSG took down Manchester United in qualifying for the competition but they lost to Lyon in the league earlier this month and consistency often evades the capital club.

Indeed, Bayern look the better-equipped of the two teams and have some real quality in their ranks from Lina Magull to Lionesses star Georgia Stanway to ace forward Lea Schuller.

They came close to making the last four last season, marginally losing out to Arsenal in the quarter-finals, and are worth keeping an eye on. 
 

Group D

Teams: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris FC and BK Hacken

Chelsea are considered genuine contenders for the Women's Super League title at 7/1 and they are 8/13 to win Group D, which is completed by Real Madrid, Paris FC and lesser lights BK Hacken, who are 4500/1 in the outright betting.

With both Arsenal and Manchester United having been dumped out in qualifying, the Blues are the only Women's Super League side left in the competition but should stand a decent chance.

Real Madrid are their first opponents in the group stage but Chelsea should fancy their chances, especially given that they have started their league campaign with five wins from six matches.

The likes of Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson have been sold but Mia Fishel and Sjoeke Nusken are part of a newer generation of players looking to make their mark for the Blues.

Last season Chelsea reached the semi-finals and they will be looking to build on that performance this campaign.
 

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.