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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
14 Jan 2026 | Sportsbetting
Champions League Matchday Predictions Matchday 7 25/26
All predictions for Matchday 7 of the 2025/26 Champions League. Current form, background information and exciting fixtures at a glance. Top insights into Europe’s premier club competition.
approx. 3 min.
Champions League Matchday Predictions Matchday 7 25/26
The seventh matchday of Europe’s premier club competition marks a decisive point in the league phase of our Champions League matchday prediction 2025/26 following the short winter break. The battle for the coveted places in the round of 16 has begun. The fixtures on this matchday reflect this tension perfectly. Top teams such as Chelsea, Dortmund and Barcelona are delivering solid performances, but do not always withstand the pressure. Former giants Ajax and Juventus, who had fallen well behind, are showing a slight upward trend after ending prolonged negative runs with their first successes and must now try to climb further up the table against Villarreal and Benfica. Matches such as Copenhagen vs Napoli or Galatasaray vs Atlético promise to be emotional and intense encounters.
MERKUR Quick Tips for Matchday 7 of the Champions League
Qairat Almaty vs Club Brugge
After the winter break, a shaken bottom-of-the-table side faces in-form Brugge. Almaty remained winless and goalless on Matchday 6 despite a courageous spell, while Brugge can point to a generally solid record. The individual quality clearly favours the Belgian side in this fixture.
Tip: 2 + under 3.5 goals
Bodø/Glimt vs Manchester City
Bodø/Glimt continue to show fighting spirit, but have now been waiting too long for their first Champions League win this season. Manchester City, by contrast, travel with a strong run of form and international maturity. The combative Norwegians will struggle with City’s pace, squad depth and efficiency and will need a small miracle to take points.
Tip: 2
Real Madrid vs AS Monaco
Real Madrid head into the clash with a strong Champions League record, home advantage and superior individual quality, while Monaco have recently shown inconsistent performances and currently sit 19th in the lower mid-table. The Monegasques remain dangerous on the counter, but will need to deliver attacking moments at the Bernabéu. On paper, Los Blancos hold a clear advantage.
Tip: 1 + over 1.5 goals
Inter Milan vs FC Arsenal
Inter welcome the Gunners in solid recent form, but the English top side will pose a huge challenge. Arsenal travel as unbeaten Champions League leaders with enormous confidence, repeatedly showcasing pace and pressing. Inter will need to focus on controlling the game and be extremely efficient in front of goal.
Tip: Double chance X2
Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund
Tottenham have recently appeared inconsistent and lacking attacking fluidity. Dortmund, too, continue to suffer occasional lapses after short positive spells, but arrive with a solid Champions League record and sit one place above Spurs in 10th. The hosts are likely to apply plenty of pressure, but Dortmund’s transition play and international experience could pay off if defensive mistakes are avoided.
Tip: Both teams to score
Sporting Lisbon vs Paris SG
Sporting Lisbon are delivering solid performances domestically, but have looked noticeably weak against top opponents in the Champions League – an issue against reigning champions Paris. The French side are almost unstoppable in attack, boasting numerous top stars. Sporting will therefore need to remain defensively compact. The head-to-head points towards a controlled away win for the Parisians.
Tip: 2 + over 3.5 goals
Olympiakos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Olympiakos gained confidence with a narrow away win against Qairat, but despite domestic success remain limited on the international stage. Leverkusen have also shown fluctuating form, yet are superior in terms of playing quality and sit nine places higher in the Champions League standings. While the Greeks will rely on physicality and home strength, Leverkusen should narrowly decide the game through individual quality.
Tip: 2
FC Villarreal vs Ajax Amsterdam
Villarreal remain second from bottom and are clearly struggling for results, having yet to record a win in this Champions League campaign. Ajax, by contrast, are on the up, having secured their first Champions League victory and enjoying an overall winning streak in recent weeks. With pace and efficiency in front of goal, the Dutch side have a good chance of extending their run.
Tip: 2
FC Copenhagen vs SSC Napoli
Copenhagen welcome Napoli with solid momentum following their first two wins in this Champions League season. The bonus is the home atmosphere, which could encourage early pressing and high tempo from the still somewhat fragile Danes. Napoli have quality, but occasionally lack stability and structure. If Copenhagen can disrupt Napoli’s control of the game, they may stand a chance against the Italians’ individual class.
Tip: Draw
Galatasaray Istanbul vs Atlético Madrid
Galatasaray face experienced Atlético with confidence from domestic form and an intense home crowd at Rams Park. Early intensity and defensive stability could keep opportunities alive, but Atlético possess structure, defensive discipline and efficient transitional play. Can Galatasaray break down the Spaniards’ compactness? More likely is that Diego Simeone’s side once again set the tone.
Tip: 2 + under 3.5 goals
Qarabag FK vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Champions League newcomers Qarabag have suffered some heavy defeats recently after initial positive results, particularly against opponents such as Ajax or Napoli. Eintracht Frankfurt, however, are also struggling to find consistency. Qarabag could initiate a win through pace down the wings and home advantage, but Frankfurt remain the favourites.
Tip: Both teams to score
Bayern Munich vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Bayern’s winning streak remains impressively consistent. The Munich side now host Union Saint-Gilloise and are expected to demonstrate dominance and high tempo from the outset. Union will need to defend deep, compress spaces and hope for quick transitions. The longer Bayern maintain pressure and unsettle the Belgians’ defensive structure, the more likely a controlled home win becomes.
Tip: 1
FC Chelsea vs Pafos
Chelsea head into the clash with fluctuating form, but clear overall superiority against Pafos. The Blues are likely to take control early against the Champions League newcomers, applying pressure and gaining advantages out wide. Pafos will need to defend deep and rely on counter-attacks to compete with this established opponent.
Tip: 1
Atalanta Bergamo vs Athletic Bilbao
Eight wins from the last ten competitive matches speak for themselves and have lifted spirits within the Atalanta squad. Their recent Champions League success and current position in fifth place offer further encouragement. If the Italians show the same bravery as in the 1–0 win over Chelsea, the match against Bilbao should also end in victory. The Spaniards demonstrated stability against PSG, but have so far won only one of six Champions League matches.
Tip: 1 + over 1.5 goals
Juventus Turin vs Benfica Lisbon
In clearly improving form, Juventus host Benfica following their first two Champions League victories. The change of coach is showing an effect, with goals from Weston McKennie and Jonathan David proving decisive recently. Benfica appear more stable, but remain vulnerable away from home and should look to assert possession early and create sharp attacking moments against the experienced opposition.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals
Olympique Marseille vs FC Liverpool
A narrow away win against Champions League newcomers Saint-Gilloise provided Marseille with a slight boost. Their next home match in Europe’s premier competition will be a much greater challenge. Marseille will need to rely on intensity and early attacking actions to stand up to the compact and patient English side.
Tip: 2
Slavia Prague vs FC Barcelona
Slavia Prague sit in 33rd place and face an in-form Barcelona this round. Despite strong moments and intense duels, the Czech side struggle to match the individual quality of international top teams. Barcelona will use their superior class, while Slavia must rely on compactness and transitional moments.
Tip: 2 + over 1.5 goals
Newcastle United vs PSV Eindhoven
Currently sitting 12th, Newcastle are positioned in the upper mid-table and can draw confidence from four wins in their last five matches. PSV are almost ten places behind the English side, but are also on a strong run with just one defeat in ten games. At St James’ Park, the Dutch side must avoid getting in their own way once again, as they did against Atlético.
Tip: Both teams to score
