CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – GAMEWEEK 8
Manchester City vs Club Brugge
Manchester City face a must-win clash against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League to keep their play-off hopes alive. Pep Guardiola’s side showed resilience by bouncing back from a 4-2 loss to PSG with an impressive 3-1 victory over Chelsea, extending their strong run to just one defeat in eight competitive games. However, the sting of blowing two-goal leads in back-to-back UCL matches still lingers. Fortunately, City’s fortress-like record of 33 unbeaten UCL home games (W28, D5) could tip the scales in their favour. Meanwhile, Club Brugge arrive in fine form, unbeaten in 20 straight competitive matches (W15, D5), but their dismal history against English teams—12 losses in 14 away European fixtures—casts a shadow over their chances. Phil Foden is one to watch for City, having scored five goals in his last four matches, while Brugge’s Maxim De Cuyper has been a creative force with 14 UCL chances created this season.
We fancy City to get the job done with motivation to do so extremely high! Check our Manchester City vs Club Brugge markets here.
Prediction: Man City & BTTS YES @ 2.46
Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague
Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League campaign, once promising after just one defeat in six league phase matches (W4, D1), now hangs in the balance following a costly 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid. Sitting eighth and level on points with several teams, their superior goal difference and flawless home form this season—three wins without conceding—could prove decisive. Adding to their confidence, Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 12 home European matches (W9, D3), a club record. Meanwhile, visitors Sparta Prague arrive with little but pride to play for, already eliminated after five straight losses. A win would mark their first victory against German opposition on the road since 1992/93 and end a 15-game winless away UCL streak dating back to 2001.
All roads lead to a comfy home win! Check our Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague markets here.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen -2.5 @ 1.98
Aston Villa vs Celtic
Aston Villa’s promising start to 2025, with three straight wins, has been dampened by a three-match winless streak (D2, L1), including a narrow 1-0 loss to Monaco in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) that cost them a top eight spot. With just a 53% chance of advancing according to Opta, Villa must secure a dominant win over Celtic to keep their last-16 hopes alive. History is on their side, as English clubs have avoided defeat in their last seven home UCL games against Scottish opposition (W5, D2). Meanwhile, Celtic arrive well-rested after a postponed weekend fixture and in strong form, winning five of their last six matches (D1). However, their struggles against English teams—drawing their last three meetings—and a poor UCL away record (one win in 21 games) suggest a tough night ahead. Check our Aston Villa vs Celtic markets here.
Prediction: Villa & U3.5 @ 2.4
Stuttgart vs Paris Saint-Germain
The final matchday of the inaugural UEFA Champions League league phase pits Stuttgart against PSG in a high stakes battle for knockout round play-off spots. Stuttgart sit precariously in 24th place, needing a win to secure progression. While they’ve won their last two UCL matches, their European home form remains patchy, with just one victory in their last ten outings (D6, L3). PSG, level on points but ahead on goal difference, come into this clash buoyed by a thrilling 4-2 comeback win over Manchester City on matchday seven. Although they drew 1-1 with Reims at the weekend, PSG’s strong record of winning five of their last six UCL final group games (D1) suggests they can handle the pressure. Check our Stuttgart vs Paris Saint-Germain markets here.
Prediction: PSG & BTTS YES @ 4.7
