The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season is reaching a critical juncture, with Matchday 7 bringing key encounters that will shape the final standings and determine which teams will secure a coveted place in the Round of 16. The extension of the Champions League this season has meant that the excitement continues into January, giving fans more thrilling European action at a time when domestic leagues are also in full swing.
This Matchday promises to be one of the most significant in the group stage, with several teams battling for top spots and qualification into the knockout stages. We have some exciting fixtures on the horizon, including the standout clash between PSG and Manchester City, as well as crucial matches for Liverpool, Arsenal, and others in their quests for progression.
Here’s a detailed prediction for how Matchday 7 of the Champions League might unfold, based on current form, team strengths, and head-to-head statistics.
Tuesday, 21 January – Matchday 7 Predictions
The action kicks off with two early kick-offs, with top-eight contenders like Aston Villa and Atalanta facing key tests to advance further in the competition.
| Kick-off Time (GMT) | Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| 17:45 | Atalanta vs Sturm Graz | 4-0 |
| 17:45 | Monaco vs Aston Villa | 1-3 |
| 20:00 | Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen | 1-0 |
| 20:00 | Benfica vs Barcelona | 2-2 |
| 20:00 | Bologna vs Borussia Dortmund | 1-1 |
| 20:00 | Club Brugge vs Juventus | 0-1 |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Lille | 2-1 |
| 20:00 | Red Star Belgrade vs PSV | 1-1 |
| 20:00 | Slovan Bratislava vs Stuttgart | 0-3 |
Atalanta vs Sturm Graz (17:45 GMT)
Atalanta have been a formidable force in recent seasons and are expected to continue their strong form in this encounter against Sturm Graz. The Italian side, who recently won the Europa League, have had a slight dip in form but will be heavy favorites in this fixture. A comfortable victory is expected to keep them in contention for the top eight and help them gain momentum for their next match against Barcelona.
Monaco vs Aston Villa (17:45 GMT)
Monaco’s campaign has been full of ups and downs, and they will be hoping to recover from their recent losses in this critical home match. However, Aston Villa, currently sitting in fifth place and in good form, will be confident of securing all three points. Their solid attacking play and strong squad should be enough to overcome the French side.
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen (20:00 GMT)
Atletico Madrid’s excellent form in La Liga has translated into the Champions League as well, and they should have enough to get past Bayer Leverkusen in this match. With a strong defense and clinical attack, Diego Simeone’s side will look to cement their position at the top of the table with another victory.
Benfica vs Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Both of these clubs are close to securing a place in the knockout stages, and this fixture could go a long way in determining their final positions in the group. Barcelona will be without their best player in recent seasons, but their squad depth should help them overcome the challenge posed by Benfica. However, expect a close encounter with plenty of attacking football, potentially leading to a draw.
Bologna vs Borussia Dortmund (20:00 GMT)
Bologna have struggled under the management of Vincenzo Italiano, and they will have a tough task ahead of them when Borussia Dortmund visit. The German side, despite some inconsistencies, should have enough quality to take a point from the game. However, Bologna’s resilience at home might prevent Dortmund from taking all three points, with the match likely ending in a draw.
Club Brugge vs Juventus (20:00 GMT)
Juventus have been in solid form in the Champions League and will head into this game with confidence. Despite some difficulties domestically, Juventus have managed to perform when it matters most in Europe. They will be favorites against a Club Brugge side that has been solid but will struggle against the Italian giants.
Liverpool vs Lille (20:00 GMT)
Liverpool are in a strong position heading into this match and need just one point to secure their place in the knockout stages. Facing Lille at Anfield, the Reds will be the favorites, thanks to their excellent attacking options. However, Lille can be a tricky side, and Liverpool will need to stay focused to ensure they don’t slip up. A narrow 2-1 victory seems the most likely outcome here.
Red Star Belgrade vs PSV (20:00 GMT)
Red Star Belgrade and PSV are both looking for valuable points in this encounter, but their current form suggests that this will be a tightly contested match. PSV has struggled in recent weeks but still has the potential to snatch a point away from home. A draw is a likely result in this fixture, as both teams will be focused on maintaining their slim hopes of qualifying.
Slovan Bratislava vs Stuttgart (20:00 GMT)
Slovan Bratislava has yet to pick up a point in the group stage, and this match against Stuttgart seems like a lost cause for the Slovakian side. Stuttgart, meanwhile, are aiming to keep their play-off hopes alive and will be expected to take all three points from this encounter.
Wednesday, 22 January – Matchday 7 Predictions
Wednesday’s fixtures feature some high-stakes action, including the crunch match between PSG and Manchester City, two of Europe’s heavyweights. This game could determine which side progresses, with both clubs needing a result to stay in contention.
| Kick-off Time (GMT) | Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| 17:45 | RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP | 2-2 |
| 17:45 | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest | 1-0 |
| 20:00 | Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb | 2-0 |
| 20:00 | Celtic vs Young Boys | 3-1 |
| 20:00 | Feyenoord vs Bayern Munich | 0-2 |
| 20:00 | Milan vs Girona | 3-1 |
| 20:00 | PSG vs Man City | 1-2 |
| 20:00 | Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg | 5-1 |
| 20:00 | Sparta Prague vs Inter | 0-3 |
RB Leipzig vs Sporting CP (17:45 GMT)
With Leipzig already eliminated from the competition, this match is essentially a pride fixture for them. Sporting CP, meanwhile, has been struggling and will need all three points to keep their hopes of qualifying alive. Expect a close, competitive match, with both teams aiming to finish the group stage on a high note. A draw seems to be the most likely outcome.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest (17:45 GMT)
Shakhtar Donetsk has been in excellent form and will look to continue their impressive run with a victory over Brest. The Ukrainian side will be favorites at home and should take all three points in this matchup. Brest, despite some positive results earlier, will struggle against a more experienced Shakhtar team.
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb (20:00 GMT)
Arsenal will have a straightforward task in this match, with Dinamo Zagreb being their weakest opponent in the group. The Gunners will be aiming for a dominant performance at home to secure qualification to the Round of 16. A 2-0 victory is the most likely outcome, as Arsenal will want to keep their momentum going.
Celtic vs Young Boys (20:00 GMT)
Celtic has had a strong run in the Champions League this season and will be confident in this matchup against the bottom-placed Young Boys. Expect a comfortable victory for the Scottish side as they look to secure their place in the knockout stages. A 3-1 win is the most likely outcome.
Feyenoord vs Bayern Munich (20:00 GMT)
Bayern Munich has been imperious in recent weeks and will head into this match as clear favorites. Feyenoord will give them a fight at home, but Bayern’s class should prevail. A 2-0 victory for the German giants is the expected result.
Milan vs Girona (20:00 GMT)
Milan, with their star-studded squad, should have no problems against Girona, who have been impressive in their first Champions League campaign but are expected to fall short against the Rossoneri. A 3-1 victory for Milan is predicted.
PSG vs Manchester City (20:00 GMT)
The standout fixture of the matchday sees PSG facing Manchester City in a crucial battle to secure qualification. With both teams struggling to find their best form, this promises to be an intense, tactical battle. Manchester City, however, is in better form at the moment, and their superior squad depth should see them edge PSG in a 2-1 victory.
Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg (20:00 GMT)
Real Madrid should have little difficulty in dispatching RB Salzburg at home. The Spanish giants are in good form and will look to secure a comfortable 5-1 victory in this one-sided encounter.
Sparta Prague vs Inter Milan (20:00 GMT)
Inter Milan has been strong in the competition, and Sparta Prague is unlikely to pose much of a threat. The Italian side should cruise to a 3-0 victory, maintaining their position in the top spots in the group.
Conclusion
Matchday 7 of the 2024/25 Champions League is shaping up to be an exciting and crucial round of fixtures. With teams like PSG, Manchester City, and Liverpool battling for their places in the knockout stages, every point will be vital. Fans can expect plenty of drama, with teams pushing to secure their spots in the Round of 16 or fight for play-off positions. It’s sure to be another thrilling week of European football.
