CAF Champions League 2024/25 predictions

Mamelodi Sundowns' performance in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League campaign has been inconsistent, and their prospects of advancing to the knockout stage could potentially deteriorate when they host Maniema Union on matchday five. 

Al Hilal will only think about continuing their unbeaten run when they host struggling Young Africans in Egypt, while AS FAR can confirm their place in the next round against Raja CA.

This week’s CAF Champions League gameweek 5 predictions were based on data, current form, and expert knowledge.

CAF Champions League 2024/25 Gameweek 5 Predictions: 10/01/25 - 12/01/25

MC Alger and TP Mazembe to struggle in the final third: MC Alger vs TP Mazembe

• Date: 10/01/2025
• Kick-off: 20:00
• Both teams struggle to score more than one goal per game in this competition, and we expect their struggles to continue.

MC Alger scored three goals and conceded two goals in four matches, which means they averaged 1.25 goals per game, while TP Mazembe scored three goals and conceded six goals in four matches, which is 2.25 goals on average per game. Matches involving either team in this competition lack goals, and we don’t think this encounter will end differently.

MC Alger vs TP Mazembe prediction 10/01/2025: Under 2.5 goals

Maniema Union and Mamelodi Sundowns to share the spoils: Maniema Union vs Mamelodi Sundowns

• Date: 11/01/2025
• Kick-off: 14:00
• Mamelodi Sundowns are in better form, but there are ideas that they may struggle to dominate Maniema Union in DR Congo.

Maniema Union sit at the bottom of Group B with only three points after three draws and one defeat in four games. Mamelodi Sundowns have two draws and one win in their last four matches. Despite having more quality in their team, the South Africans may find it difficult to perform at their best away from home, suggesting that this encounter could end in a draw.

Maniema Union vs Mamelodi Sundowns prediction 11/01/2025: Draw

Sagrada Esperança and Pyramids to share the honors: Sagrada Esperança vs Pyramids

• Date: 11/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:00
• Pyramids are in better form and have better players, but they will likely struggle to play to their best as visitors.

Sagrada Esperança can still qualify for the next round of the CAF Champions League if they avoid a defeat to Pyramids at home on matchday five. However, they lack enough creativity in their team, having scored only two goals in four games, which may see them fall short against the Egyptians, who are better in the attacking half with seven goals scored in four games. The hosts’ defense can be reliable, most especially at home, and we expect them to drag this encounter to a drab draw.

Sagrada Esperanca vs Pyramids prediction 11/01/2025: Draw

Al Ahly to bounce back to winning ways: Stade d’Abidjan vs Al Ahly

• Date: 11/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:00
• Stade d’Abidjan are in rancid form and are unlikely to get a shock win over Al Ahly, having lost three of their last four matches.

Al Ahly can go top of Group C when they take on struggling Stade d’Abidjan as visitors, and their current form suggests they may come away with a win. The hosts lost three and drew one of their opening four CAF Champions League matches, and they are more likely to wrap up their exit from the competition with a defeat in front of their fans than put up a fight and stage a shock win over the visitors, who have seven points out of a possible 12. 

Stade d’Abidjan vs Al Ahly prediction 11/01/2025: Away team to win

AS FAR to advance to the knockout stage: AS FAR vs Raja CA

• Date: 11/01/2025
• Kick-off: 20:00
• Raja CA only won their first CAF Champions League in the last round after three winless games, which suggests they may fall short in the next round against AS FAR.

AS FAR sit at the top of Group A with eight points and can confirm their place in the next round with a win over struggling Raja CA. The visitors lost two of their last four matches and sit at the bottom with four points. Their poor attack has been their undoing in the CAF Champions League group stage, and we expect their attack to remain poor against AS FAR, whose defense is one of the best in the competition, having conceded only two goals in four games.

AS FAR vs Raja CA prediction 11/01/2025: Home team to win

Orlando Pirates and CR Belouizdad to exchange goals: Orlando Pirates vs CR Belouizdad

• Date: 12/01/2025
• Kick-off: 14:00
• Orlando Pirates may be the favorites to win the upcoming game, but they are likely to concede at least one goal.

CR Belouizdad, despite being in third place in Group C, possesses the quality to score against the top-ranked Orlando Pirates. They scored four goals in four matches, and we think they may pull a goal back against the South Africans, who conceded only two goals in four games. Both teams scored the last time they met.

Orlando Pirates vs CR Belouizdad prediction 12/01/2025: Both teams to win - yes

ES Tunis to bounce back to winning ways: Djoliba vs ES Tunis

• Date: 12/01/2025
• Kick-off: 17:00
• ES Tunis may have lost their last game, but they are likely to get back to winning ways against Djoliba.

Djoliba are in dire form, having failed to win in any of their last four matches. They haven’t scored a single goal yet after four attempts. What are the chances they get a win over an ES Tunis side that scored seven goals and conceded two goals in four matches? We are anticipating a tight win from the visitors.

Djoliba vs ES Tunis prediction 12/01/2025: Away team to win

Al Hilal to get back to winning ways: Al Hilal vs Young Africans

• Date: 12/01/2025
• Kick-off: 20:00
• Al Hilal may be the favorites to win this match, but they will need to put in a significant effort to defeat Young Africans.

Young Africans are unbeaten in their last two matches in this competition and still have a chance to qualify for the next round. They will exert maximum effort to prevent a loss to Al Hilal and enhance their prospects of reaching the knockout stage, but the hosts, who have won three and drawn one of their four matches, are in excellent form. Al Hilal may have secured an early ticket to the next round, but they would rather win their last home CAF Champions League game to send a message to their rivals. 

Al Hilal vs Young Africans prediction 12/01/2025: Home team to win