Champions League predictions for the final day of the league phase with 18 games kicking off at 3 p.m. ET.
Champions League predictions are in for the final day of the league phase as 24 teams will move on to the next stage of the competition. Eight of those 24 will earn a direct bye to the round of 16, while the other 16 battle it out in a two-legged playoff to advance.
The remaining 12 teams will be eliminated with no consolation of dropping into the Europa League. SI Soccer gives our predictions across the full slate of 18 matches with allArne Slot's side completes a perfect league phase with eight wins out of eight moving on to the round of 16 as the top team. An extremely promising and dominant showing from the Dutchman's debut in the Champions League as Liverpool boss.Bayern Munich need some help to secure a spot in the round of 16, but winless Bratislava offers an opportunity to inflate their goal difference as well given teams like Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta have a better record in that department.Dortmund might be level on points with teams like Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern, but the Bundesliga side is only second to Barcelona in terms of league phase goals scored with 19. They get the job done with a shot at potentially finishing in the top eight.Xabi Alonso's mission is simple: win and you're in the top eight. Sparta Praha, already eliminated, have the fourth worst goal differential conceding 19 goals so far in the league phase. A draw or worse would risk teams like Aston Villa, Monaco, Feyenoord and more leapfrogging Leverkusen in the standings.Arsenal's attacking deficiencies have been well documented since Bukayo Saka's injury, but the Gunners have been near perfect defensively so far in the Champions League. The Gunners have conceded just two goals in the league phase, tied with Liverpool, and only one more than Inter who have the best defensive record. Arsenal only need a point to secure their top eight finish.Barcelona have already secured their spot in the round of 16, but there's the possibility of finishing first if Liverpool lose. Atalanta need a win to secure their round of 16 spot leading to what should be one of the best games of the day. Hansi Flick's attacking juggernaut just gets it done in a five-goal thriller.Stade Brestois 29 are one of the best stories of the Champions League this season. The Ligue 1 side is through to the knockout stage, but with some results in their favor and a win against Real Madrid they could finish in the top eight. Yet, they face a resurgingside that have Kylian Mbappe looking like he's back to his best. Madrid get the win putting them in shouting distance of a top eight finish.. Club Brugge need to at least draw to secure their spot in the knockout stage and are riding a 20-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.won't have his new signings available for selection, but they should get the job done at home. If not, their city goes from bad to worse.Pride is on the line between two sides already eliminated. Young Boys get the win at home preventing an 0-0-8 league phase.The 11th and 12th place teams in the standings face off on the final day. Lille nearly took a point off Liverpool last time out while Feyenoord dismantled Bayern Munich. A dark horse pick for match of the day for neutrals to watch with top eight implications on the line.Benfica should be reeling from the opportunity squandered last time out to secure their place in the knockout stage, while Juventus is already qualified for the knockout stage. A point should be enough to see them over the line given goal difference, and they get it done on the road at Juventus.Aston Villa are knockout stage bound in their return to the Champions League under Unai Emery, but they're on the outside looking in currently of the top eight. They get the win and have to see where the results lie to see if they have a playoff or a bye.Fabio Cannavaro's side lost last time out against Arsenal and have another tough test with AC Milan coming to town. The Croation side need a win to have a chance at qualifying along with some other results to go their way, but Milan prove to be too much on the night.Inter's status coming into the day is the same as Arsenal: a point secures a round of 16 berth. Monaco can break into the top eight with a win, but the Italian defense proves to be too strong as Inter cap off a near-perfect league phase defensively.Prediction: RB Salzburg 0-2 Atletico MadridPrediction: Sporting Lisbon 2-0 Bologna Sporting likely need a point to secure qualification, but a win would guarantee their place in the knockout stage. Bologna, having already been eliminated, have nothing to play for except pride. The Portuguese side get the win moving on to the next stage.Another contender for a must-watch game on the final day. Stuttgart currently hold the final qualification spot in 24th while PSG are just two places above them in 22nd. The only thing separating the two sides is goal difference, but Stuttgart have scored more goals than PSG so far in the league phase. A tightly contested game ends in a draw.Max Mallow is an editor for Sports Illustrated Soccer. Somehow, he has just enough time every matchday to tweet when an Arsenal player scores a goal.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Liverpool vs Lille Predictions & Picks for Tuesday’s Champions League MatchLille is being overlooked in a major way vs. Liverpool, and that has our soccer betting picks leaning hard on the double result for Jonathan David's side.
Read more »
UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 1/21Champions League predictions for Jan. 21 with Barcelona, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and more in action.
Read more »
PSG vs Man City Predictions & Picks for Wednesday’s Champions League MatchGet the latest PSG vs. Man City predictions ahead of Wednesday's critical Champions League fixture. Free soccer picks and predictions for January 22.
Read more »
UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 1/22Champions League predictions for Jan. 22 with Manchester City, PSG, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and more in action.
Read more »
Wolverhampton vs. Arsenal LIVE STREAM (1/25/25): Time, TV, channel for UEFA Champions LeagueWolverhampton faces Arsenal in a Premier League match on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 (1/25/25) at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England.
Read more »
Champions League Picks and Predictions: 5 Bets For Final League Phase GamesChris Vasile breaks down his favorite Champions League picks and predictions ahead of the final league-phase game on January 29.
Read more »