UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 Preview and Predictions

It’s crunch time in the UEFA Champions League, as we reach the final matchday of the 2024-25 league phase, with plenty still to be decided.

Nine teams have already been eliminated and have nothing to play for, while Liverpool and Barcelona have already locked up the top two spots. Liverpool will finish at the top of the league phase as long as they don’t lose away at PSV, while Barcelona has to defeat Atalanta at home to stand any chance of overtaking the Premier League club.

It would take one of the most sensational footballing turnarounds in history for Arsenal not to join Liverpool and Barcelona in the top eight, securing a place in the competition’s last 16.

They will all, as a minimum, make the play-off round, but we back them to hold on to their current spots in the top eight, with winnable fixtures awaiting them on the final day.

It’s make or break for Manchester City following their 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 7. A win for City against Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium will be enough for them to qualify, while a point at Stuttgart is likely enough for PSG and a win will confirm they remain in the competition.

Elsewhere, Celtic are guaranteed a spot in the knockout stage play-offs but could sneak into the top eight with a win away at Aston Villa on Wednesday. Villa also needs a win to have any realistic chance of breaking into the top eight.

With 18 games being played on the night, it proves to be a dramatic night of Champions League football, where the table will be constantly changing throughout the action. To help you understand what could happen, check out our pre-game Champions League predictions ahead of Matchday 8.

TOTAL ODDS= 9.51