UEFA Champions League Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (1/29)

Today is the big day. The UEFA Champions League wraps up it’s league phase part of the competition with 18 matches today across Europe. All 36 squads will be in action as they push to be in the Top 24 of the table, thus advancing to the next round. Let’s take a look at the table before we dive in to our UCL best bets!

Here is what the UEFA Champions League table currently looks like.

As you can see, I have left out the bottom teams on the table. Currently, there are nine teams that have been mathematically eliminated. Bologna, Sparta Prague, and seven teams cut out of the image (RB Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, SK Strum Graz, RB Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys). At the top of the table, Liverpool and Barcelona have successfully punched their ticket to the next round, and they both look to avoid the knockout round and head straight to the round of 16.

After all eight matches are completed, the Top 8 advance to the Round of 16, while the teams ranked 9th through 24th will pair up and face off in a two leg knockout round for the final 8 spots in the Round of 16.

Now, several teams have already booked a spot in the next round, but could still move up and down between the Top 8, so motivation should be high all around the competition. As it stands right now, Manchester City would be left out of the next round in the UCL, as they sit at 25th on the table with 8 points. Manchester City not only NEEDS a win today to keep their UCL hopes alive, but they also may need one or more of Stuttgart, Sporting CP, PSG, and Benfica to lose as well.

I’ve got a couple angles I am looking at, so below are my best bets in the UCL today. For our expert’s soccer picks, go to this page here!

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UEFA Champions League: Wednesday’s Soccer Action

Barcelona vs Atalanta Best Bets

Best Bet: Barca/Atalanta 1H Over 1.5 (-112) BetOnline

Not the usual 45 minute sweat for me, today we are rooting for goals. We saw Barcelona get into a 9 goal scoring fest with Benfica last time out in UCL competition. There were 4 total goals in that matchup before the 30 minute mark, as Barcelona netted one but allowed three to their opponent. Things will be different at home, but the hosts will come out with fire, as they netted four by themselves last time on their home pitch.

Barcelona currently sits in 2nd on the UCL table, and if Liverpool gains at least a point, the best they can finish is 2nd. However, a win today would guarantee a Top 2 finish, as Arsenal is looming in 3rd, just two points behind Barca. Point being, I see the home team being aggressive like they normally are in order to try and secure a win.

As for our visitors, Atalanta is no slouch, and they have all the motivation to play for. Atlanta sits in 7th place, just one point ahead of five teams lurking outside of the Top 8. While a point wouldn’t guarantee a Top 8 finish for Atalanta, it would certainly help. I see this team being aggressive after seeing Benfica’s success last week. Atalanta had 3 total goals in the first half against Napoli not too long ago, and last time on the road they allowed a first half goal to Como before winning 2-1.

In this matchup, I see both offenses being aggressive early, resulting in a couple of first half goals.

Prediction: 1H 1-1 Draw (+550)

Juventus vs Benfica Best Bets

Best Bet: Juve/Benfica Under 2.5 (-132) Bovada

Strap in because of course we found an under that we like. These two teams battle it out in Italy today, and both have plenty to play for. Benfica is fighting for their lives. A point would certainly help them, but depending on how other games go, they may need three to stay in the Top 24. They allowed four second half goals from Barcelona to lose at home last time out in the UCL, and with their tournament on the line, I see them being very sound defensively.

As for our hosts, Juventus loves low scoring contests. They’ve only score 9 goals in six matches, but have allowed just 5 from their opponents, including shutting out Club Brugge and AC Milan their last time in this competition and at home in the Serie A. I don’t see both teams finding the back of the net in this match, and instead see Benfica going home after dropping this one to their Italian hosts.

Prediction: Juventus Wins 1-0 (+625)

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Other UCL Notes for Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

I looked at various team totals for Dortmund, Leverkusen and Atlético Madrid, but held off.

All of those teams are in a prime position where goal differential may come into play when deciding the Top 8 if all three were to win today. Therefore I see all of those teams not only getting a win, but doing so in dominant fashion by netting plenty of goals.

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