Predictions for the Champions League matches on November 25th
Galatasaray vs Union Saint-Gilloise
In one of the opening matches of the 5th round, the champions of Turkey and Belgium will face off. Both teams are currently leading in their national leagues, but their fortunes in the Champions League are quite different. Union is non-competitive at this level and is languishing at the bottom of the table. Yes, the Belgians have had a clearly tougher schedule compared to Galatasaray, but the Istanbul team also managed to encounter a giant, defeating Liverpool at home (1:0). Okan Buruk's team has won 12 of their last 14 matches at “Rams Park,” and we do not think the visitors from Brussels are capable of stopping them.
Match Prediction for Galatasaray vs Union Saint-Gilloise: Galatasaray to win
Ajax vs Benfica
At the “Johan Cruyff Arena,” we are in for a battle of the underdogs of the group stage. Ajax and Benfica approach their head-to-head meeting without a single point. Moreover, they are also facing serious problems in their national leagues, making it very difficult to contend for the championship. However, the deep crisis that Ajax is experiencing is not present for José Mourinho and his team. After the arrival of the “Special One,” the “Eagles” put up a fight against Chelsea and Bayer, only losing without a chance to Newcastle (0:3). Meanwhile, Ajax is losing to everyone in the Champions League, conceding an average of 3.5 goals per game. This is an excellent opportunity for Benfica to secure their first three points.
Match Prediction for Ajax vs Benfica: Benfica to win
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Here is the main match of the game day. Chelsea and Barcelona have gained good momentum in their leagues, but in the Champions League, they both stumbled where they shouldn't have. The Londoners drew with Qarabag (2:2), and the Catalans with Brugge (3:3). The teams occupy adjacent positions in the table, and the bookmakers have set close odds. We will venture to suggest that the match will be tight and won't delight fans with a large number of goals. In the last five head-to-head encounters at “Stamford Bridge,” no more than three goals were scored, which we expect in the upcoming match as well.
Match Prediction for Chelsea vs Barcelona: Total under 3.5 goals
Napoli vs Qarabag
In Naples, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, teams of contrasting fortunes will meet. Napoli is failing in the group stage, managing to earn only four points despite an admittedly easy schedule. Qarabag, from whom nothing was expected, has already delivered several surprises and is in the top 15. Gurban Gurbanov typically rested his key players in the domestic league match, so the “Horsemen” will be ready to surprise again. We believe they are capable of scoring, so we anticipate both teams finding the net.
Match Prediction for Napoli vs Qarabag: Both teams to score (yes)
Slavia vs Athletic
Slavia has four wins in their last five matches, while Athletic has only one. Ernesto Valverde's team is in crisis, and denying this would be foolish on our part. That's why the odds offered by the bookmakers are so surprising. We all know how strong the Prague team is at home, where they haven't lost in 13 of their last 14 matches. Arsenal ended their unbeaten streak in the last round, but the "Basques" in their current state are no match for Mikel Arteta's squad. Therefore, Slavia has every chance to earn points.
Match Prediction for Slavia vs Athletic: Slavia will not lose
Marseille vs Newcastle
In the next match, we want to bet on the home team not losing. Marseille is a home team. Yes, they inexplicably lost to Atalanta at the "Velodrome" (0:1) in the last round, but this will only motivate the "Provençals" in their encounter with Newcastle. Of course, the "Magpies" will also be charged up after an emotional victory over Man City (2:1), but it was achieved at home, whereas Eddie Howe's protégés play poorly away, having secured only one away victory this season – against the significantly weaker Union (4:0). Why the "black and whites" are considered favorites is a big mystery to us.
Match Prediction for Marseille vs Newcastle: Marseille will not lose
Manchester City vs Bayer
One of the most predictable matches of the round, according to our editorial team. Pep Guardiola's team, angry after the defeat by Newcastle, will host Bayer. The "Pharmacists" have won their last three matches with a total score of 10:1, but the victory over a crisis-hit Benfica (1:0) and thrashings of Bundesliga outsiders provide no reason to believe that Kasper Hjulmand's guys will be competitive at the "Etihad". Matches against giants this season have been dismal for the "Pharmacists" – defeats to Bayern (0:3) and PSG (2:7). There are no signs of a change in this trend.
Match Prediction for Manchester City vs Bayer: Manchester City to win with a handicap (-1.5)
Bodø/Glimt vs Juventus
It seems we too often believe in the underdogs. But how can we not, when an unstable Juventus is visiting Bodø/Glimt? The Norwegians are incredibly strong on their artificial turf, having lost only 1 of their last 11 matches, while the "Old Lady" has only one win in four games under Luciano Spalletti. It's hard to find arguments in favor of the visitors, especially considering the available odds.
Match Prediction for Bodø/Glimt vs Juventus: Bodø/Glimt will not lose
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
When Borussia play at Signal Iduna Park against a team that isn't classified as "top-tier," they are invariably the favorites. However, is it wise to bet on the "Bees" when they haven't secured a win in their last three matches? We suggest a different approach: consider betting on the over total goals, a trend evident in the last seven matches of Nico Kovac's team in the Champions League. Villarreal, in their previous outing, surprisingly lost to Pafos (0-1), yet Marcelino's squad is generally in good form, scoring more than 1.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches. Therefore, the "Yellow Submarine" should complement the attacking ambitions of the hosts.
