With 15 teams already through and only Arsenal and Bayern guaranteed top-16 places ahead of Matchday 8, 17 clubs remain locked in a tense scramble for the last knockout berths.
Here is a full fixture-by-fixture breakdown, rewritten in a smooth narrative style with predictions added.
Kick-off: 9pm CAT, Wednesday 28 January
AJAX v OLYMPIACOS
Ajax and Olympiacos have met six times in European competition and the record is perfectly balanced, with two wins each and two draws. Their last Champions League encounters came back in 1998/99, when both sides won their respective home games. Ajax have generally performed well against Greek opposition in recent years, losing only once in their last 15 meetings, although that defeat came in their latest encounter with Panathinaikos. This season, Ajax have struggled with slow starts, conceding the opening goal in all seven of their league phase matches. Olympiacos, meanwhile, are enjoying a rare run of form in this competition, losing only one of their last six matches against Dutch opposition and winning back-to-back Champions League games for the first time since 2015/16. Given Ajax’s defensive frailties and Olympiacos’ momentum, the visitors may just edge it.
Prediction: Olympiacos 2–1
ARSENAL v KAIRAT ALMATY
Arsenal arrive on Matchday 8 as the only team to win all seven of their league phase games, setting a club record for consecutive European victories. They have now won 11 straight league phase fixtures since their defeat at Inter in October 2024, conceding only four goals in that entire stretch. The goals continue to flow too, with three or more scored in each of their last five Champions League outings and Gabriel Martinelli enjoying a strong scoring run at home. Kairat Almaty, in contrast, are without a win in ten UEFA matches. Arsenal, already assured of qualification, are unlikely to ease off with history in sight.
Prediction: Arsenal 4–0
MONACO v JUVENTUS
Monaco and Juventus share a history dominated by the Italians, who have won all three of their past knockout ties and four of the six matches played. Monaco have been strong at home lately, losing only once in their last seven Champions League league phase or group home games and keeping clean sheets in their last two. Juventus have also been reliable against French clubs, losing just three of their last fifteen Uefa meetings, and they enter this match on a three-game winning streak in the Champions League. Both sides defend well and seldom concede many at this stage, suggesting a tight contest in the Principality.
Prediction: 1–1 draw
ATHLETIC CLUB v SPORTING CP
This fixture brings a perfectly balanced historical rivalry, with two wins apiece from previous European meetings. Athletic remain formidable at San Mamés, losing only twice in their last 10 Uefa home games, while Gorka Guruzeta’s scoring form gives them an added threat. Sporting CP, however, have never won away to Spanish opposition in fourteen attempts and have also failed to win any of their last six Champions League away fixtures. Those trends point clearly toward the hosts controlling much of the evening.
Prediction: Athletic Club 2–0
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID v BODØ/GLIMT
Atlético have dominated Norwegian teams historically, winning all six previous meetings, and their Champions League home form remains among Europe’s best, with only one defeat in their last eighteen matches and victories in twelve of their last 13. Their only concern is a run of 10 league phase matches without a clean sheet. Bodø/Glimt arrive with confidence, having failed to score in just two of their last 23 European games and scoring at least twice in five of their seven league phase fixtures. Atlético should still prevail, but both teams look likely to find the net.
Prediction: Atlético 3–1
LEVERKUSEN v VILLARREAL
Villarreal have never lost to Leverkusen in European competition, but the German side’s recent record against Spanish clubs is excellent, with five wins and a draw in their last six league phase encounters. Leverkusen have also been very strong at home in Uefa competitions over the last two years, though they are winless in their most recent four outings at the BayArena. Villarreal, however, are enduring one of their worst continental spells, winless in 10 Champions League games and goalless in their last four away matches. Leverkusen’s form and Villarreal’s slump suggest a straightforward home victory.
Prediction: Leverkusen 2–0
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v INTER
Dortmund and Inter last clashed in 2019/20, each winning their home match. Dortmund’s home record in the Champions League remains outstanding, with just one defeat in 21 matches, and they are aiming for their 100th victory in the competition. Inter, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six Champions League away matches against German opposition and are currently on a three-game losing run in this season’s league phase. With Dortmund in rhythm and Inter struggling, another German home win looks likely.
Prediction: Dortmund 2–1
CLUB BRUGGE v MARSEILLE
Marseille won both previous meetings between the sides back in the 1992/93 Champions League, but Club Brugge have become increasingly difficult to beat at home against French clubs. Their 4–1 win over Monaco earlier in this league phase campaign highlights that strength. Marseille, however, have yet to lose to Belgian opposition in European competition and recently claimed a 3–2 victory away to Union SG. Their attacking confidence on the road could give them a narrow advantage.
Prediction: Marseille 2–1
FRANKFURT v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Frankfurt’s confidence has dipped significantly, with only one victory in their last nine Uefa matches and a winless run of six. Tottenham come into this fixture unbeaten in their previous six games against German clubs and boasting four clean sheets in their last five Champions League outings. They have scored first in their last four league phase games and have the added motivation of Randal Kolo Muani returning to face his former club. All signs point toward a composed and professional Spurs performance.
Prediction: Tottenham 2–0
BARCELONA v COPENHAGEN
Barcelona enter this match unbeaten in eight European meetings with Danish sides and scoring in 26 of their last 27 Champions League matches. Their games almost never end goalless, with 42 consecutive Uefa fixtures producing goals. Fermín López, the club’s top scorer in this campaign, remains a key figure. Copenhagen earned a rare win over Spanish opposition at Villarreal on Matchday 6 and are unbeaten in their last three Champions League matches, equalling a club record. Even so, Barcelona’s quality at home should be decisive.
Prediction: Barcelona 2–0
LIVERPOOL v QARABAĞ
Liverpool’s long unbeaten group stage run at Anfield was broken by PSV, but they remain one of Europe’s most consistent sides at home. Dominik Szoboszlai has been central to that form, scoring in four of the club’s last five Champions League matches. Qarabağ have never beaten English opposition and have lost every one of their trips to England, yet they are enjoying a strong attacking run with two or more goals scored in eight of their last 10 Uefa games. Liverpool should reassert themselves without major difficulty.
Prediction: Liverpool 3–1
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN v NEWCASTLE UNITED
PSG have won five of their last seven matches against English teams and have been extremely reliable at home in the league phase. They have scored four or more goals in three of their last four Champions League home games. Newcastle’s away record in France is poor, with only one victory in nine attempts, though Anthony Gordon’s six goals in seven Champions League appearances this season make him a standout danger. Paris should still control proceedings given their home scoring power.
Prediction: PSG 3–1
MANCHESTER CITY v GALATASARAY
Manchester City rarely lose at home in Europe and their defeat to Leverkusen on Matchday 5 ended a 23-game unbeaten league phase run at the Etihad. Galatasaray, meanwhile, have won only once in their last 12 Uefa away games, though they have enjoyed an impressive run against English clubs recently. With İlkay Gündoğan and Leroy Sané returning to their former home, there will be emotional narratives at play, but City are expected to respond strongly after their setback.
Prediction: Manchester City 2–0
PAFOS v SLAVIA PRAHA
This match marks the first Champions League meeting between clubs from Cyprus and Czechia. Pafos have been reliable at home with only one defeat in 10 Uefa matches, although their overall form has been mixed. Slavia Praha, on the other hand, have endured a long and difficult spell in Europe, winless in 14 Uefa matches and without a Champions League proper victory since September 2007. Pafos should capitalise on their home advantage in a cagey encounter.
Prediction: Pafos 1–0
PSV EINDHOVEN v BAYERN MÜNCHEN
Bayern have dominated the historical head-to-head with PSV, winning six of eight meetings, including both matches in 2016/17. PSV have struggled against German clubs recently and have only two wins in their last nine Champions League games. Bayern, despite a rare league phase setback last season, have won 10 of their last 12 matches in this stage of the competition. Harry Kane continues to deliver elite Champions League numbers and should again play a decisive role.
Prediction: Bayern 2–1
UNION SAINT GILLOISE v ATALANTA
Union SG have struggled in this campaign, losing five of their last six Champions League games. Atalanta have been excellent away from home in recent league phase matches, losing only twice in their last 14 and winning their last two without conceding. Gianluca Scamacca’s scoring form adds to their threat. Union’s European struggles this season make Atalanta clear favourites.
Prediction: Atalanta 2–0
BENFICA v REAL MADRID
Benfica and Real Madrid share a long history, with the Portuguese side winning both previous knockout ties well over half a century ago. In recent years, however, Benfica have struggled badly against Spanish teams, winning only three of their last 25 Uefa meetings. Real Madrid, in contrast, are unbeaten in their last 10 games against Portuguese sides and travel well in this fixture. Kylian Mbappé has equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s league phase scoring record with 11 goals and is poised to break it. Madrid’s quality and momentum make them favourites.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1
NAPOLI v CHELSEA
Napoli have traditionally enjoyed playing English opposition at home, winning eight of their previous 11 such European meetings. They have also lost only one of their last 20 Champions League home matches. Antonio Conte faces his former club, adding intrigue to the tactical battle. Chelsea’s away record in Italy is troubling, with only two wins in 13 Uefa trips and six losses in their last seven. Their overall form in Europe is strong, but Napoli’s home advantage is difficult to overlook.
Prediction: Napoli 2–1