Champions League betting tips & best odds | Matchday 8 preview

Matchday 8 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League features a number of high-stakes encounters, as several teams need to win to advance to the knockout playoff round. Below are our free soccer betting picks for the key fixtures from the final round of the league phase.

Manchester City v Club Brugge

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Etihad Stadium

Manchester City, sitting 25th, will be looking to secure their passage into the playoff round with a win over Club Brugge, who are five places above them. Erling Haaland scored during City’s 3-1 victory over Chelsea at the weekend, online bookmakers are paying +220 for the Norwegian striker to break the deadlock against the Belgian Pro League champions.

Juventus v Benfica

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Juventus Stadium

Juventus are 17th on the table with 12 points, while Portuguese side Benfica are four positions behind them with two fewer points. Given that both sides will be looking to protect their respective positions inside the top 24, expect a tightly contested encounter.

Barcelona v Atalanta

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Barcelona, in second, will be eager to extend their six-game win streak against seventh-placed Atalanta, who are aiming to secure an automatic spot in the knockout phase by finishing in the top eight. Raphinha has scored six goals in his last five games in all competitions, and top soccer betting sites are paying +150 for the Barca forward to add to his tally.

Stade Brestois v Real Madrid

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Stade de Roudourou

Although both teams have secured a spot in the playoff round, 16th-placed Real Madrid will face a stern test against Brest — the tournament’s dark horse — who are three positions above the Champions League holders. While the newcomers will be eager to make their mark, the seasoned Blancos are expected to come out all guns blazing.

Aston Villa v Celtic

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Villa Park

Both assured of a place in the playoff round, ninth-placed Aston Villa will be determined to automatically progress to the last 16 against Celtic, who are 18th on the ladder. Ollie Watkins has netted 13 times for Villa across the board, and leading bookie Marantelli Bet is paying +105 for the England international to strike again.

Dinamo Zagreb v AC Milan

Thursday, January 30 – 7am AEDT – Maksimir Stadium

Sixth-placed Milan will be striving to secure a top-eight finish when they take on Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, who are two places below the playoff zone. Tijjani Reijnders, with three Champions League goals thus far, is a decent pick to score at any time for the Rossoneri.

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