Champions League betting tips: Matchweek eight preview

Aston Villa vs Celtic betting tips

With a draw unlikely to secure Aston Villa a top eight spot, they need to beat Celtic and see what happens elsewhere.

They should be fine. Brendan Rodgers’ side have secured a play-off spot but have no realistic chance of making the automatic places. 

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Celtic conceded seven goals at Dortmund and 22 shots at Atalanta. Villa should win a high-scoring game.

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 3-1 Celtic (10/1 with Spreadex)

FIRST’s top tip:

Aston Villa win and over 2.5 goals (23/20 with Matchbook)

Barcelona vs Atalanta betting tips

This fixture brings together the two best teams for goal difference in the 2024/25 Champions League.

The likelihood is that the Catalan giants win. The price for Atalanta to avoid defeat is too tempting, though, especially as they have the stronger underlying statistics in this competition.

As Las Palmas and Leganes have won at Barcelona within their last five home games, it’s hardly a stretch to think Atalanta can get a positive result.

Scoreline prediction

Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta (19/2 with MrPlay)

FIRST’s top tip:

Double chance: Atalanta-Draw (11/10 with BetMGM)

Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague betting tips

Scorelines elsewhere may mean any win will ensure Bayer Leverkusen secure an automatic qualification spot. But as they currently sit eighth, they won’t want to take any chances.

A big win will keep them safe, which shouldn’t be a problem against Sparta Prague. The Czech side lost 5-0 at Manchester City and 4-2 at Feyenoord in their previous two away games.

Similarly, while Leverkusen beat the Milan sides 1-0 at home, they put five past Red Bull Salzburg. This’ll be a big win for the hosts. 

Scoreline prediction

Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 Sparta Prague (67/10 with Zetbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bayer Leverkusen to win and over 3.5 goals (47/50 with Bet442)

Bayern Munich vs Slovan Bratislava betting tips

Disregard that Bayern Munich are facing the side with the worst defensive record in the competition, it is unlikely they will claim a berth in the top eight. 

Even so, after a 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord last week, the Bundesliga leaders will be looking for a resounding victory.  

Bayern beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at home in their opening game and the Croatian side have been better than Slovan Bratislava this season. Any scoreline feels possible. 

Scoreline prediction

Bayern Munich 5-0 Slovan Bratislava (21/4 with BetMGM)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bayern Munich over 4.5 goals (22/25 with BetMGM)

Girona vs Arsenal betting tips

If Barcelona fail to beat Atalanta, Arsenal could take the second seed spot with a win at Girona.

They start three behind Barcelona on goal difference, so will need to score several goals in case the Catalans draw. The Gunners should be okay as Girona have been eliminated. 

Within their last six away games, Arsenal scored five at Crystal Palace and West Ham, so at least three feels plausible here. Real Madrid won 3-0 at Girona last month, proving the point.

Scoreline prediction

Girona 0-3 Arsenal (11/1 with Luckster)

FIRST’s top tip:

Arsenal win and over 2.5 goals (5/4 with Matchbook)

Inter vs Monaco betting tips

Inter beat Red Star 4-0 in matchweek two. No surprise there, but all five games since have ended 1-0, with four wins accompanying a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. 

Some of Monaco’s games have been more goal-heavy. However, they beat Bologna and Aston Villa 1-0, while failing to score against Arsenal. When playing teams from the big five leagues, goals are usually scarce.

With Monaco having little on the line, a routine home win looks inevitable. 

Scoreline prediction

Inter 2-0 Monaco (34/5 with MrPlay)

FIRST’s top tip:

Under 2.5 goals (23/20 with Zetbet)

Lille vs Feyenoord betting tips

This could be one of the most fun games of the night. Both teams have an outside chance of a top eight finish with a win, yet it is unlikely. 

Lille and Feyenoord have secured play-off berths regardless so can play without pressure. The Dutch side are one of only four who saw at least three goals in all seven Champions League matches this season.

Each side has seen both teams score in five of their games too. 

Scoreline prediction

Lille 2-1 Feyenoord (33/5 with Spinzwin)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (Evens with Vegasland)

Manchester City vs Club Brugge betting tips

Club Brugge can shock the world and knock Manchester City out of the Champions League.

But given they lost their previous two meetings by an aggregate score of 9-2 in 2021, their chances of a positive result appear slim. The Belgian side are almost certain to reach the play-offs no matter the result too - so they play without pressure. 

However, they scored in both of those past matches and have also found the net in their three away games in this competition this season. There could be nervy moments for City. 

Scoreline prediction

Manchester City 3-1 Club Brugge (11/1 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Manchester City to win and both teams to score (29/18 with Luckster)

PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool betting tips

There is little riding on this game. PSV Eindhoven look guaranteed to take a play-off spot while Liverpool have secured second place at worst.

Try telling former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot that this game doesn’t matter though. He will have one eye on the Reds’ trip to Bournemouth on Saturday but will still select a potent XI in a bid to complete the league phase with a 100% record. 

Darwin Nunez should start. Backing him to score is risky, but he leads the squad for shots on target in this competition, while only Mohamed Salah has taken more shots.

Scoreline prediction

PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Liverpool (8/1 with Spreadex)

FIRST’s top tip:

Darwin Nunez to score any time (2/1 with BetMGM)

Stuttgart vs Paris Saint-Germain betting tips

A draw might be enough for both teams to qualify for the play-offs. But can they take that chance with the chaos of 18 simultaneous matches unfolding?

Paris Saint-Germain will be full of confidence having come from behind to beat Manchester City last time out. While Stuttgart have won their last two Champions League matches, they did so against the worst two sides in the competition.

PSG’s quality should tell. Stuttgart recently lost at home to bottom-half Bundesliga side St. Pauli, so they can certainly lose here.

Scoreline prediction

Stuttgart 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain (43/5 with Luckster)

FIRST’s top tip:

Paris Saint-Germain to win (83/50 with MrPlay)

Quick scoreline predictions:

Brest 0-3 Real Madrid (9/1 with Spreadex)

Dinamo Zagreb 1-2 AC Milan (63/10 with Spinzwin)

Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (10/1 with Matchbook)

Juventus 1-1 Benfica (93/20 with MrPlay)

Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 Atletico Madrid (21/4 with Vegasland)

Sporting CP 2-0 Bologna (29/5 with Luckster)

Sturm Graz 0-1 RB Leipzig (17/2 with Spreadex)

Young Boys 3-1 Red Star Belgrade (69/5 with Zetbet)