UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 Expert Tips & Predictions

It all comes down to this in the Champions League, as all 36 sides do battle in the final game week, in pursuit of precious points in their respective endeavours.

Arsenal continue to set the pace, with seven wins from their opening seven games and they along with Bayern Munich have secured their place in the knockout rounds already.

Plenty of big names like Inter Milan, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have work to do if they are to finish inside the top eight, while Napoli are in a similar situation in their hopes of cracking the top 24.

Every game here appears to have something riding on it and the drama feels pretty much guaranteed.

Here are our Champions League tips for the eighth round of group stage fixtures in the 2025/26:

2025/26 UEFA Champions League MD8 Predictions

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Pafos FC vs Slavia Prague

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $3.65

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Pafos FC ($2.30)

Slavia Prague ($3.25)

Draw ($3.60)

Two teams who currently find themselves outside of the top 24 meet here, as Pafos FC host Slavia Prague. A win for either side could theoretically propel them through to the playoff rounds but this should be a cagey one, which could end in a draw.

1-1 Draw

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Ajax vs Olympiakos

Betting Tip: Ajax to win the match @ $3.00

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Ajax ($3.00)

Olympiakos ($2.45)

Draw ($3.60)

Dutch giants Ajax are aiming to pull off one of the great Champions League turnarounds and they would complete it with a win here over Olympiakos. The Greek side are hanging on to the final playoff spot, but Ajax could get going at home and overtake them.

Ajax to win 2-1

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Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty

Betting Tip: Arsenal to win the match @ $1.06

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Arsenal ($1.06)

Kairat Almaty ($61.00)

Draw ($19.00)

Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from Premier League disappointment, as they take on Kairat Almaty at the Emirates. It is top vs bottom in the Champions League table and while the Kazakh side will enjoy their day out, Arsenal should prevail here.

Arsenal to win 5-0

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Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting Lisbon

Betting Tip: Athletic Bilbao to win the match @ $2.25

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Athletic Bilbao ($2.25)

Sporting Lisbon ($3.45)

Draw ($3.50)

Both of these sides have their hopes of reaching the playoffs in their own hands, but Athletic Bilbao should be well placed to win this one at home. Sporting Lisbon remain an excellent side but Bilbao need a win and should come out on top here.

Athletic Bilbao to win 2-1

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Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt

Betting Tip: Atletico Madrid to win the match @ $1.33

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Atletico Madrid ($1.33)

Bodo/Glimt ($9.00)

Draw ($5.60)

Bodo/Glimt will be looking to build on their historic win over Manchester City, but things won’t get much easier for them here against Atletico Madrid. The Spaniards are in the mix to win the title, and they should prevail at home here.

Atletico Madrid to win 3-1

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Barcelona vs FC Copenhagen

Betting Tip: Barcelona to win the match @ $1.19

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Barcelona ($1.19)

FC Copenhagen ($20.00)

Draw ($9.50)

Barcelona have been in fine fettle both in the Champions League and La Liga this term and they will be looking to rattle into FC Copenhagen here. The Danes are well organised, but this should be a comfy home win for Barca.

Barcelona to win 4-1

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Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal

Betting Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win the match @ $1.60

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Bayer Leverkusen ($1.60)

Villarreal ($5.90)

Draw ($4.20)

It has been a dream run of results for Bayer Leverkusen of late and they will be looking to keep that going against Villarreal. The Spanish side can’t reach the playoffs and with this a dead rubber for them, Leverkusen should win comfortably.

Bayer Leverkusen to win 3-1

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Benfica vs Real Madrid

Betting Tip: Real Madrid to win the match @ $1.73

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Benfica ($4.80)

Real Madrid ($1.73)

Draw ($4.20)

Things are starting to turn for Real Madrid, and they will be desperate to keep up their recent upturn in form against Benfica. The Portuguese outfit are always up for any challenge but Real should pick up the win that secures the top eight for them here.

Real Madrid to win 2-1

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Borussia Dortmund vs Inter Milan

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $3.55

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Borussia Dortmund ($2.90)

Inter Milan ($2.50)

Draw ($3.55)

Two teams looking to crack the top eight meet here, as Inter Milan travel to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund. Not losing feels key for both teams, as they look to hold on to their playoff spots and this one could fizzle into a draw.

1-1 Draw

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Club Brugge vs Marseille

Betting Tip: Marseille to win the match @ $2.55

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Club Brugge ($2.90)

Marseille ($2.55)

Draw ($3.50)

A duo operating further down the table meet here, as Marseille travel to Club Brugge. French and Belgian rivalries are always intense, and this should be fiery, but Marseille need a win to secure progress to the next round, and they should get one in Brugge.

Marseille to win 2-1

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Liverpool vs FK Qarabag

Betting Tip: Liverpool to win the match @ $1.15

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Liverpool ($1.15)

FK Qarabag ($23.00)

Draw ($9.50)

Liverpool will be looking to secure their top eight spot, as they take on FK Qarabag at Anfield. The visitors have been one of the stories of the competition so far and they will enjoy their night on the big stage, but this should be a comfortable win for Liverpool.

Liverpool to win 4-1

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Manchester City vs Galatasaray

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $7.00

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Manchester City ($1.25)

Galatasaray ($13.00)

Draw ($7.00)

Manchester City will be eager to pick themselves up from defeat to Bodo/Glimt, as they take on Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium. Not losing will be key for both sides and this could well end up as a draw in East Manchester.

1-1 Draw

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Monaco vs Juventus

Betting Tip: Juventus to win the match @ $2.20

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Monaco ($3.40)

Juventus ($2.20)

Draw ($3.50)

Two more sides looking to still be in the competition come the close of play meet here, as Monaco host Juventus. Both sides have struggled in the Champions League at times this term, but Juve should have too much strength in this one.

Juventus to win 2-1

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Napoli vs Chelsea

Betting Tip: Chelsea to win the match @ $2.50

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Napoli ($3.05)

Chelsea ($2.50)

Draw ($3.75)

Napoli have work to do if they are to still be in the competition after this round and Chelsea will be relishing the chance to knock them out. This is a tough place to come but Chelsea are confident and should prevail here.

Chelsea to win 2-1

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PSG vs Newcastle United

Betting Tip: PSG to win the match @ $1.50

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PSG ($1.50)

Newcastle United ($6.25)

Draw ($4.50)

The wheels are starting to come off a touch for Newcastle, and they won’t be too keen to take on holders PSG. The atmosphere in Paris should be rampant and Eddie Howe’s side could be in for a chastening one here.

PSG to win 4-1

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Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham

Betting Tip: Tottenham to win the match @ $1.95

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Eintracht Frankfurt ($4.00)

Tottenham ($1.95)

Draw ($3.45)

It has been a tale of two competitions for Tottenham and Thomas Frank, but a win here sees them into the top eight automatically. Spurs have saved their best stuff exclusively for the Champions League this season and that should continue here against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Tottenham to win 2-0

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PSV Eindhoven vs Bayern Munich

Betting Tip: Bayern Munich to win the match @ $1.48

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PSV Eindhoven ($6.50)

Bayern Munich ($1.48)

Draw ($5.25)

With just one loss on their card, Bayern Munich have been almost perfect in the Champions League this term, a record they will be keen to uphold against PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch side are no pushover, but Bayern should win here.

Bayern Munich to win 3-1

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Union St Gilloise vs Atalanta

Betting Tip: Atalanta to win the match @ $2.25

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Union St Gilloise ($3.50)

Atalanta ($2.25)

Draw ($3.45)

Atalanta continue to be one of the more exciting prospects in European football and they take on Belgian side Union St Gilloise next. The hosts have been excellent in the competition, but Atalanta should kick on here and win comfortably on the road.

Atalanta to win 3-1

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2025/26 Champions League MD8 multi bet

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We’re backing four results on MD8, as an accumulator with a betting stake of $50:

Union St Gilloise vs Atalanta – Atalanta
Benfica vs Real Madrid – Real Madrid
PSG vs Newcastle United – PSG
PSV Eindhoven vs Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich

PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid & Atalanta @ $11.30

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Sports Writer

Sam Hayes

Combining his sports coaching career with freelance journalism, Sam is a sports betting writer for various online publications.

He is looking to develop both his respective coaching and writing careers, whilst incorporating his other huge passion - travelling the world.

Sam currently lives and works in Milan, Italy and playing/following/writing about cricket, football (soccer), tennis, formula 1 and golf continue to take up much of his spare time.