Matchday 7 of the Champions League group phase takes place this week, and for some clubs, this is their last chance to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase.
For others in more comfortable positions, with more points on the board, there is less pressure.
My UEFA Champions League best bets and betting picks give you the best angles for this week's action.
UEFA Champions League weekly picks and best bets for Matchday 7
Real Madrid vs Monaco
Real Madrid -1.5 (-138 at Sports Interaction)
Real Madrid fans may be concerned about their side’s form, but this is a great time to be playing Monaco.
The Ligue 1 visitors have lost their way in recent weeks, evidenced by their underwhelming performance and 3-1 home defeat to a limited Lorient last Friday night. Monaco manager Sebastien Pocognoli cut a confused, beaten figure during the post-game media obligations.
For all the criticism of Real Madrid’s performances this season, they're 11-0-2 at home in all competitions. Their chances of winning by two or more goals are stronger than the market suggests.
- Date: Tuesday, January 20
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Over 2.5 goals (-137 at Sports Interaction)
Given only four of 12 games involving these two sides during the Champions League group phase have featured three or more goals, you may wonder why Over 2.5 Goals is the selection.
Where the two clubs sit in the league table is the reason. Bayer Leverkusen are 20th on nine pts, Olympiakos 29th with five. In other words, the hosts have reached a ‘do or die’ phase where they need wins to stay alive, while the Bundesliga visitors are far from sure of making it through to the knockout phase.
Eleven of Leverkusen’s 17 Bundesliga games (including six of their eight away fixtures) have had Over 2.5 Goals.
- Date: Tuesday, January 20
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Pireas, Greece
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Sporting vs PSG
PSG to win (-125 at Sports Interaction)
The chance to back the UCL holders at close to even money is too good to ignore.
PSG ran out easy 3-0 winners over Lille (home) in their last Ligue 1 fixture. That game took place last Friday night, so they've had plenty of time to prepare for this trip to Portugal.
The club from the French capital have been more impressive on the road than at home in the Champions League this season. Creditable victories at Barcelona (2-1) and Bayer Leverkusen (7-2) indicate what they can do beyond their frontiers.
- Date: Tuesday, January 20
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: José Alvalade Stadium, Lisboa, Portugal
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Chelsea vs Pafos
Chelsea -2.5 (+110 at Sports Interaction)
Recently-appointed Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior takes charge in the Champions League for the first time, and his players have the potential to win big.
The 41-year-old ex-Strasbourg boss oversaw a 2-0 home win against Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend. He's a confident, tactically interesting coach who will demand his players continue to attack if and when they take the lead.
Pafos’ record in the competition is a respectable 1-2-3. They've failed to score in three away games, however, and lost heavily the only time they faced one of Europe’s top sides (5-1 at home to Bayern Munich on Matchday 2).
- Date: Wednesday, January 21
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Slavia Prague vs Barcelona
Barcelona -1.5 (-122 at Sports Interaction)
Slavia Prague are 33rd in the 36-team group table. The considerable gap in quality between the sides makes a heavy home defeat likely.
The hosts are 0-3-3 from six games, and all three defeats emphasise how they can struggle vs top sides: they lost 3-0 at Inter on Matchday 2, then by the same scoreline vs Arsenal on Matchday 4, and vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 6.
Barcelona can be devastating when they dominate possession, and on the break, too. The visitors should create good scoring chances through both styles of play.
- Date: Wednesday, January 21
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czechia
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Champions League player prop quick hits for Matchday 7
Copenhagen vs Napoli
Scott McTominay 1+ shot on target (-137 at Sports Interaction)
Scott McTominay is a man for the big occasion and has been in excellent form in 2026. He scored both goals in Napoli’s hugely entertaining 2-2 tie vs. Serie A leaders Inter last week.
Even when he doesn't score, he is dangerous: the Scotland international has managed at least one shot on target in five of his last six starts for Antonio Conte’s side.
Juventus vs Benfica
Kenan Yildiz 2+ shots on target (+125 at Sports Interaction)
Kenan Yildiz has been Juventus’ best player this season. So many of their better attacking moves are either started or completed by the brilliant Turkey international.
We expect more terrific output from him this week. Juventus are only 17th in the group table, so this has the feel of a must-win match for them.
Yildiz has managed at least one shot on target in four of Juve’s last five matches. In their last three, he's managed 10 on target in total.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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