Women’s Champions League Matchday 5 Predictions: All Eyes on the Final Push Before Knockout Stages

The 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage is nearing its conclusion, with only two matchdays remaining before the knockout rounds begin. This week, a number of exciting fixtures are set to take place, and with the qualification race heating up, every point counts. Teams such as Chelsea, Lyon, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City have already secured their spots in the knockout rounds, but the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona still have work to do to confirm their places. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect on Matchday 5.

Galatasaray vs Lyon (Group A)

Galatasaray’s journey in this year’s UWCL (UEFA Women’s Champions League) has been a challenging one. The Turkish side has yet to earn a point, suffering four consecutive losses in the group stage. Things aren’t looking much brighter as they face a Lyon team that has been flawless so far, winning all four of their group games. Lyon’s dominance in this group is evident, and their 3-0 victory over Galatasaray in the reverse fixture underlines the stark contrast between the two teams. With the French side sitting comfortably at the top of the group, it’s difficult to imagine anything other than a Lyon win here.
Prediction: Galatasaray 0-4 Lyon

Wolfsburg vs Roma (Group A)

Wolfsburg and Roma are both in a tight battle for the second spot in Group A. Sitting on six points each after four matches, both teams have won two and lost two. The last time these two sides met, Roma secured a 1-0 victory, giving them a slight upper hand heading into this encounter. However, Wolfsburg knows this is a must-win game if they are to stay in contention for the knockout rounds, especially with their final match against Lyon looming. Expect a closely contested affair, but Wolfsburg’s experience in high-pressure situations should see them edge out the Italians.
Prediction: Wolfsburg 2-1 Roma

Chelsea vs FC Twente (Group B)

Chelsea has been nothing short of dominant in this year’s UWCL, with a perfect record so far. They will be looking to maintain their 100% record as they welcome FC Twente to Stamford Bridge. The Dutch side has struggled in the group stage, winning just one match, and their task against Chelsea will be formidable. The Blues have been in excellent form, and after a 3-1 away win over Twente in the reverse fixture, they are expected to secure another comfortable victory. Chelsea’s squad depth and attacking power should prove too much for the visitors.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 FC Twente

Celtic vs Real Madrid (Group B)

Celtic finds themselves in a difficult position at the bottom of Group B, having failed to win any of their matches so far. They’ve also conceded 11 goals in their four games, a stat that doesn’t inspire much confidence ahead of their clash with Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are currently second in the group, just three points behind Chelsea, and will be eager to secure all three points to strengthen their qualification hopes. Real Madrid has been in solid form, and with Celtic struggling, this should be a straightforward win for the visitors.
Prediction: Celtic 0-4 Real Madrid

Bayern Munich vs Juventus (Group C)

Juventus finds themselves in a precarious situation in Group C, with just one win from four matches. To keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive, they must secure victories in their remaining two fixtures. However, Bayern Munich is a formidable opponent, having dropped points in only one match so far. Juventus faces a tough test here, and despite their desperate need for a win, it’s hard to see them getting anything from this match. Bayern‘s attacking strength and solid defensive setup should prove too strong for the Italian side.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus

Valerenga vs Arsenal (Group C)

Arsenal’s qualification for the knockout rounds is almost assured, but a win against Valerenga will officially seal their spot. The Gunners are in great form and, after a dominant 4-1 victory over the Norwegian side in the reverse fixture, they will be confident of securing another three points. Valerenga has shown some resilience, notably taking points off Bayern earlier in the group stage, but their defense will likely struggle against the attacking power of Arsenal. The Gunners are expected to win comfortably here.
Prediction: Valerenga 1-5 Arsenal

Hammarby vs Barcelona (Group D)

Barcelona may not be top of Group D, but they are still the favorites to qualify alongside Manchester City. The Catalan giants face Hammarby, a team that has struggled defensively, conceding 13 goals in their four matches so far. The last time these two sides met, Barcelona registered an emphatic 9-0 victory, and there’s no reason to expect a different result here. With a spot in the knockout rounds still to be secured, Barcelona will look to make a statement with another dominant performance.
Prediction: Hammarby 0-5 Barcelona

Manchester City vs St. Polten (Group D)

The final match of Matchday 5 sees Manchester City host St. Polten at the Joie Stadium. City secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over St. Polten in the reverse fixture, and while they didn’t make it easy, they will be expected to take control of the game this time around. With a strong squad and a solid position in the group, City will be focused on securing another three points to ensure qualification. The added pressure of facing Barcelona next week won’t distract Gareth Taylor’s side, and they should come through this match with a vital win.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 St. Polten

As the group stage nears its end, the pressure is mounting for the teams still fighting for qualification. With several high-profile clubs in action, Matchday 5 promises to deliver drama and excitement as the race for the knockout rounds intensifies. Keep an eye on these matches, as they could have a significant impact on the road to the final.