A fantastic Champions League group phase draws to a close this week, with many outstanding issues to be decided.
At least 15 teams are assured of a place in the knockout phase playoffs (Top 24). Several of these are looking for a Top-8 spot that would ensure direct qualification for the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, at the other end, four teams (Eintracht Frankfurt, Kairat Almaty, Slavia Prague, and Villarreal) are already eliminated, potentially making easier fixtures for the sides they face this week.
Rather than the games being split across Tuesday and Wednesday, this week, in the name of fairness, all games kick off on Wednesday, at the same time.
UEFA Champions League weekly picks and best bets for Matchday 8
Monaco vs Juventus
Juventus to win (+120 at Sports Interaction)
While Monaco are struggling, Juventus are flying. The hosts are 0-1-4 from their last five Champions League and Ligue 1 matches, and received a 6-1 thrashing at Real Madrid last week.
Juventus are 4-0-1 from their last five Champions League and Serie A matches. They arrive fresh from an impressive 3-0 win (home) over Serie A champions Napoli on Sunday night.
The plus-money price is too good to overlook on a Juventus side (15th) focused on securing a Top-16 spot.
- Date: Wednesday, January 28
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid to win (-139 at Sports Interaction)
For all the criticism Real Madrid have faced this season, they remain one of Europe’s class acts, and should win this week.
They cruised to a 6-1 victory (home) vs. Monaco last week and followed up with a 2-0 away win against Villarreal on Saturday night. They are 5-0-2 in the Champions League group phase, and their two defeats came against sides (Liverpool and Man City) that are much better than Benfica.
With a dismal 2-0-5 record, Benfica are 29th in the standings. Their hopes of claiming a knockout phase place (Top 24) are all but over already. A potential lack of belief in the home ranks makes a Real win likelier.
- Date: Wednesday, January 28
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Where to watch: Paramount+
PSG vs Newcastle United
PSG -1.5 (+120 at Sports Interaction)
This game should turn into a shootout between PSG (sixth) and Newcastle United (seventh). Both clubs are targeting a Top-8 spot that would put them automatically through to the Round of 16.
A shootout would benefit PSG. They remain arguably European football's most fluent force in the opposition's half. They are the group phase's joint-top scorers (20 goals) and capable of scoring three or four times against adventurous but fragile visitors.
PSG have won seven of 12 Champions League and Ligue 1 home matches this season by a margin of 2+ goals.
- Date: Wednesday, January 28
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Napoli vs Chelsea
Over 2.5 (-122 at Sports Interaction)
This is a must-win match for inconsistent Napoli, which makes an open, entertaining game likely.
The hosts are 25th, outside the qualifying (Top 24) positions on goal difference. Their brief is clear: win, and hope other results work in their favour, too.
At his last club, Strasbourg, recently-appointed Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior instructed his players to attack, home and away. Expect similar tactics in this match. Chelsea will correctly believe they can beat a Napoli side that has won just one of its last six Serie A and Champions League matches (1-4-1).
- Date: Wednesday, January 28
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Club Brugge vs Olympique Marseille
Marseille to win (+135 at Sports Interaction)
There's a winner-takes-all aura to this meeting between Club Bruges (27th), who need a win to stand a chance of staying in the competition, and Marseille (19th), for whom a tie may not be enough.
The Ligue 1 visitors are the smart selection. They beat second-placed Lens 3-1 (home) last weekend, and are stronger than their Belgian hosts. Marseille have tremendous final-third potential: they've scored 25 goals in their last seven games in all competitions, with 13 different players finding the scoresheet.
- Date: Wednesday, January 28
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium
- Where to watch: Paramount+
Champions League player prop quick hits for Matchday 8
Monaco vs Juventus
Jonathan David anytime goalscorer (+187 at Sports Interaction)
Khephren Thuram 1+ shots on target (-111 at Sports Interaction)
Canada striker Jonathan David has scored three goals in his last four Serie A starts, while France midfielder Khephren Thuram scored in Juventus’ 2-0 home win vs. Benfica in the Champions League last week before hitting the post and claiming the Man of the Match award in Juve’s 3-0 Serie A win over Napoli at the weekend.
Back the in-form duo to thrive at a venue they know well from their time as Ligue 1 players.
Club Brugge vs Olympique Marseille
Amine Gouiri anytime goalscorer (+195 at Sports Interaction)
Amine Gouiri has become a key man for Marseille since his recent return from injury. He's scored three times in his last two Ligue 1 appearances, performing so well that he's ousted the legendary former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the starting lineup.
At plus-money, Algeria international Gouiri is the stand-out selection to find the net for the visitors.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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