UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 21/1

On January 22, 2025By Littum

The UEFA Champions League returns on January 21 after a break that lasted over a month. Barcelona and Liverpool headline Tuesday’s action, with both teams looking to secure a bye to the round of 16. SI Soccer provides our predictions for the list of matches.

Prediction: AS Monaco 1–2 Aston Villa

After rescuing a point against Arsenal in the Premier League, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa travel to France and get a big win over Monaco. Villa would move ever closer to earning a coveted bye to the round of 16.

Prediction: Atalanta 3-0 SK Sturm Graz

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta get a dominant win at home to move to 14 points in the race for a top eight finish. The reigning Europa League champions need some results to go their way after that, but the Serie A side have only conceded four goals in this league phase so far.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2–2 Bayer Leverkusen

Only one point separates Atleti and Leverkusen in the standings, and it will remain so after a close game. Diego Simeone’s side have boosted by playing at home, but Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are a tough opponent.

Prediction: Benfica 1-3 Barcelona

Barcelona bounce back from a string of disappointing performances in LaLiga to secure their direct bye to the last 16. The top eight finishes will do wonders for Hansi Flick’s squad in terms of managing players’ minutes.

Prediction: Crvena zvezda 1–2 PSV

PSV get a big away win and a necessary one as the Eredivisie side are just a point ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and VfB Stuttgart.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Lille

Liverpool remain perfect in the Champions League and send Lille at home. Arne Slot will have done his job, and then some, in terms of giving Liverpool a much-needed break before resuming European play.

Prediction: Club Brugge 1-2 Juventus

Thiago Motta’s Juventus may be off the pace in Italy, but the old ladies win against Club Brugge and move to 14 points. Depending on how the rest of the games go, Juventus could leapfrog the likes of Atalanta, Atleti and put some distance between them and Benfica and Monaco.

Prediction: Slovan Bratislava 0–2 VfB Stuttgart

Bundesliga’s Stuttgart win away to Slovan Bratislava, a team that has yet to pick up a point in the league phase. Both Stuttgart and PSG are out looking in, so they need help from certain teams.

Prediction: Bologna 1–3 Borussia Dortmund

Another team yet to win a league game, Bologna lose to Dortmund at home. Last year’s Champions League runners-up are just one point off the field for a top-eight finish, so a win will do Dortmund very well heading into their final game.