“Football.ua presents a preview of the matches of the seventh round of the main stage of the Champions League, which will take place on January 11.”, — write: champions.football.ua
Football.ua presents a preview of the matches of the seventh round of the main stage of the Champions League, which will take place on January 11.
All matches are broadcast live on the MEGOGO media service.
[*] — the position of the team in the tournament table of the Champions League
[13] Atalanta – Sturm [29]
Tuesday, January 21, 7:45 p.m. Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, Bergamo. The main referee is Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania) While it would be unfair to suggest that things are not going well for Atalanta, they have failed to impress since losing to Real Madrid in their last Champions League game in mid-December. Since then, Atalanta have fallen behind in the Scudetto race, jeopardizing their hopes of a first-ever league title, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup. After losing to Inter in Saudi Arabia, Atalanta returned to the league and drew with Udinese (0:0). Atalanta then lost to Napoli (2-3), ending a 15-game unbeaten streak in Serie A that included 11 wins.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, without a win in their last five matches, are now looking to break that run as they hold the advantage over one of the most humble clubs in the Champions League. However, Atalanta have won just one of their last ten Champions League games at home and another setback could end their bid to reach the last 16 of the tournament straight away, although a place in the play-offs is virtually guaranteed.
Atalanta recently faced Sturm as Gasperini’s men went unbeaten in two group stage matches en route to a Europa League triumph – a 2-2 away draw and a 1-0 win at home.
In 14 previous attempts, no Austrian team has beaten the Italians in the entire history of the Champions League: only three draws and 11 defeats. Sturm must challenge that precedent if they are to remain in contention for a play-off spot after losing 3-2 to Lille last month.
New head coach Jürgen Zaumel was handed an inexperienced squad as only RB Salzburg fielded a younger squad in this Champions League, while no team gave more playing time to young players.
With just three points from six matches, Sturm are in danger of an early exit from the European Cups, but they are doing well in the championship. Sturm are unbeaten in 11 league and cup games with eight wins to go three points clear at the top of the league before the winter break.
Sturm have recently played a string of friendlies as the Austrian league doesn’t resume until next month, but the intensity and level of struggle will be a few notches higher in Bergamo: having won just one of their 15 away Champions League games to date, Sturm will head to Lombardy with hope rather than expectations of a positive result.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Atalanta: Carnesecchi – Kolasinac, Guin, Jimcity – Ruggeri, Ederson, De Ron, Bellanova – De Ketelare, Lukman – Retegi.
Assault: Scherpen — Lavale, Geirhofer, Ivu, Johnston — Stankovic, Chukwuani — Kiteishvili, Yalkue — Beoving, Jatta.
They won’t play: Cuadrado, Cossunu, Scamakka — Borkovich, Kern.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Atalanta is the favorite in the match. So, you can bet on the victory of the home team with a coefficient of 1.21, while the potential success of Sturm is estimated at 13.50. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 6.90.
forecast 2:0
[16] Monaco – Aston Villa [5]
Tuesday, January 21, 7:45 p.m. Louis II, Monaco. Chief referee — Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) Monaco started the season on a ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which saw them win two of their first three matches in Europe. After losing to Nice at the end of October, Monaco have lacked consistency and have failed to win any of their four matches since the start of the year. Just five wins in their last 16 matches saw Monaco drop out of the Champions League automatic qualification zone and knocked out of the French Cup by Reims.
The Monegasques’ European campaign got off to a flying start with a win over Barcelona in September, followed by a draw with Dinamo Zagreb and further wins over Crvena Zvezda and Bologna. Monaco lost to Arsenal last time out and defeat by the Gunners leaves Adi Hütter’s side with a lot of work to do to automatically qualify for the last 16, but with games against teams currently ranked higher, the picture could look very different.
Monaco point to their home results as reason to believe they can get a result against Villa – the hosts have lost just once at home in their three Champions League matches and have lost just twice at home in Ligue 1.
Unlike their rivals, Aston Villa have made a bright start to the new season, with Unai Emery’s side winning seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions. Having already passed more than half of the season in the Premier League, the “lions” are again fighting for a place in the top four, occupying the eighth place, just two points away from the fourth place.
Villa continue to silence the doubters with some fine performances in Europe, including wins over Bayern Munich and Leipzig and a draw with Juventus. The main reason for the success has been a strong defensive performance, with Villa keeping four clean sheets in six Champions League matches to date.
Although the only defeat was away to Club Brugge in November, Villa won the other two away matches. However, in general, away results have been disappointing: the team has lost six of its last nine away matches. However, there have been signs of progress recently, with Villa managing to take points away from Arsenal and also beating Everton at Goodison Park. Villa will look to continue their progress and head to Europe hoping to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Monaco: Majecki – Enrique, Salisu, Kerer, Wanderson – Magassa, Kamara – Golovin, Ben-Sehir, Akliush – Embolo.
Aston Villa: Martinez – Dinh, Mings, Konza, Cash – Kamara, Tielemans – Ramsey, Rodgers, Bailey – Watkins.
They won’t play: Balogun, Diatta, Ilenihena, Singo, Zakaria — Carlos, McGinn, Torres, Barkley, Malen.
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Monaco is the favorite in the match. So, you can bet on the victory of the home team with a coefficient of 2.55, while the potential success of Aston Villa is estimated at an indicator of 2.75. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 3.55.
forecast 0:1
[33] Bologna — Borussia D [9]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Renato Dal Ara, Bologna. Chief arbiter — Serdar Hezybujuuk (Netherlands) Bologna have had a poor season in Europe with four defeats in their first six games and currently have just two points to their credit. Rossoblo reached the Champions League for the first time since the 1964/65 season, finishing fifth in Serie A. Under new head coach Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna were brimming with optimism.
Italiano replaced Thiago Motta in the summer. Under Vincenzo, the team’s inexperience at this level became apparent and the club struggled to perform on both fronts. Bologna scored just one goal in the Champions League, conceding seven. Having scored two points, Bologna is on the verge of elimination from the tournament. Since it is still mathematically possible to get into the playoffs, their chances are extremely small.
Overall, this campaign has yet to reach the same heights as last year, with a slow start to the season and Italiano’s side starting their journey with just one win in their opening 11 matches. Seven wins in the next 12 games significantly improved the team’s form in Serie A before 2024 ended with a defeat to Verona. Bologna started 2025 with two straight draws against Roma and Inter, followed by a win over Montserrat to leave them in sixth place in Serie A.
Meanwhile, Borussia D are having a much better year in Europe, sitting ninth with 12 points from six games. Last season’s Champions League finalists were always among the favorites for an automatic place in the play-offs and a strong finish to the main stage will help them in that endeavour. Convincing wins over Celtic, Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb ensured a decent goal difference despite defeats to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, Dortmund’s good form in Europe has not yet been repeated in the championship, as in the Bundesliga, “bumblebees”, unfortunately, were only in tenth place. Their defeat against Frankfurt was their tenth of the season, with Borussia struggling under Nuri Sahin, who replaced Edin Terzic in the summer.
With performances not as good as expected, there have been many rumors about Sahin’s future, with some media linking the club with former Manchester United manager Erik ten Gag. Sahin will be hoping his side can continue their run in Europe as they are the second highest scorers with 18 goals, behind only Barcelona (21).
In Italy, Dortmund will be looking to improve on their poor away record, with eight defeats in all competitions this season. Given that Borussia have won just once in their last eight matches, including three consecutive defeats at the start of the year, Sahin’s future could very well depend on the outcome of this match.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Bologna: Skorupski — Likoyannis, Lukumi, Beukema, Posh — Froyler, Ferguson — Ndoye, Fabbian, Orsolini — Dallinga.
Borussia D: Kobel — Ryerson, Schlotterbeck, Anton, Koutou — Gross, Zabitzer — Byno-Gittens, Brandt, Adeyemi — Girassi.
They won’t play: El-Azzouzi, Ebisher — Zule, Bensebaini.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Borussia D is the favorite of the confrontation. So, you can bet on the victory of the guests with a coefficient of 2.15, while the potential success of Bologna is estimated at 3.40. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 3.55.
forecast 1:1
[15] Benfica – Barcelona [2]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Da Luz, Lisbon. The main referee is Danny McKelly (Netherlands) Read the full announcement of the Benfica – Barcelona match at the link.
[1] Liverpool – Lille [8]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Anfield, Liverpool. The main referee is Felix Zweier (Germany) Read the full announcement of the Liverpool – Lille match at the link.
[11] Atletico Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen [4]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid. Chief referee — Davide Massa (Italy) Atlético went on a stunning 15-game winning streak, but Leganes snapped it and the club’s best run in history came to an end. Diego Simeone’s side are still at the top of La Liga and are in contention for the title this season, but the red and whites have a lot of work to do in the Champions League, with only 11th place and 12 points from six matches.
Atletico have won four and lost twice in the Champions League, leaving them one point behind eighth-placed Lille, who are currently in last place for automatic qualification to the last 16 of the tournament.
The Matracniks have won three and lost three of their previous ten matches against Bayer Leverkusen, with the score being 2-2 when the two teams last met in the Champions League group stage in 2022/23. Atletico have an excellent home record against the Germans, with 17 wins and just three defeats in 25 matches, with the team winning seven of their last eight Champions League home matches.
Meanwhile, Bayer has 13 points in six games. Xabi Alonso’s side sit in fourth place, level on points with Lille (eighth), so a lot can change in the penultimate round, and each opponent cannot be underestimated.
Bayer will enter the field after beating Borussia M in the Bundesliga, making it 12 in a row. The reigning German champions are in great form and sit in second place, four points behind Bayern Munich.
Bayer have won just three of their previous 21 away matches against Spanish sides and have not made the Champions League play-offs since 2016/17, so there is quite a bit of progress at stake.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Atletico: Oblak — Galan, Lenglet, Le Norman, Llorente — Gallagher, Koke, De Paul, Simeone — Griezmann, Alvarez.
Bayer: Hradecki — Incapier, Ta, Tapsoba — Grimaldo, Xhaka, Palacios, Frimpong — Wirtz, Garcia — Chic.
They won’t play: Serlot (?), Jimenez (?) — Belosyan, Adli, Terrier, Boniface.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Atletico is the favorite in the match. So, you can bet on the victory of the home team with a coefficient of 2.49, while the potential success of Bayer is estimated at an indicator of 2.97. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 3.35.
forecast 1:1
[19] Brugge – Juventus [14]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Jan Breidel, Bruges. Chief referee — Benoit Bastien (France) With 15 wins and one unbeaten run, Club Brugge resume their Champions League campaign in scintillating form, knowing that one more win will secure them at least a place in the play-offs.
The Blauw-Zwart have failed to score just once in their last 30 matches, winning all but one of their last 11 matches. In addition, Club Brugge beat Genk in the first leg of their Belgian Cup semi-final last week and are just one point behind their cup rivals in the league, with the race for a fifth league title in six years on the horizon.
Perhaps the highlight of the Champions League was the victory over Sporting, when Kasper Nielsen’s last minute winner took them ten points from six games. Nicky Jaen’s side have already won Europe’s top competition three times, and in only one previous European Cup campaign did Club Brugge manage to win more – five in the 1977/78 season en route to the final.
Juventus are also in good form, especially after the win against Milan. This result was a huge relief for Thiago Motta is under fire of criticism. His side have drawn more than half of their 29 matches in all competitions, conceding no less than seven times.
Despite being 13 points adrift of Serie A leaders Napoli, the Bianconeri can still stay in contention for the Champions League as they beat Manchester City. Motta’s side are in 14th place with 11 points in the Champions League – just two points short of the automatic qualification for the round of 16.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Bruges: Mignolet — De Keiper, Mechele, Ordoñez, Seys — Yashari, Oniedika — Tsolis, Vanaken, Vetlesen — Jutgla.
Juventus: Di Gregorio – Cambiazo, Gatti, Kalulu, Savona – Tyuram, Locatelli – Mbangula, Kopmainers, Wea – Vlachovych.
They won’t play: Romero — Bremer, Cabal, Milik, Conceisan, Yildiz (?), McKenney (?).
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Juventus is the favorite in the match. So, you can bet on the victory of the guests with a coefficient of 2.29, while the potential success of Brugge is estimated at 3.30. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 3.30.
[31] Crvena Zvezda – PSV [23]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. Rajko Mytic Stadium, Belgrade. The main referee is Istvan Kovacs (Romania) With just three points from six matches, Crvena Zvezda have little room for error if they want to make the playoffs. Having a gap of five points from several teams, which mathematically can still catch up, Crvena Zvezda has only to show a winning result against PSV.
Their opponent is one of the teams they can still catch up to, so a win in Belgrade will be beneficial in many ways. After starting the Champions League campaign with four consecutive defeats, Red Star unexpectedly beat Stuttgart in November. The Serbs failed to repeat the success in the next match against Milan.
Crvena Zvezda is struggling in Europe, but in the championship, the club is having a great season and leads the Super League, 17 points ahead of its rivals. So great is their dominance that the team have won 21 of their last 27 matches in all competitions, with all six defeats coming in the Champions League.
PSV come into this match with 21 wins in their last 27 league matches, but Zwolle got the better of them by surprise last weekend. The defeat is part of a recent slight slump, with the team dropping points in three of their last four league matches. Despite the difficult times of late, PSV are still leading the Eredivisie: currently four points ahead of Ajax.
However, the Champions League proved much more difficult for the Dutch side, who failed to win any of their first three matches. Since then, there have been wins over Girona and Shakhtar Donetsk to take PSV to eight points, but defeat at Brest means they need to win in Belgrade.
Although PSV have won seven of their ten away games in the league, this Champions League side has yet to find success away from home and the Dutch will be hoping to turn things around in the Serbian capital.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Red Star: Glazer — Yon-woo Sop, Spaich, Dzhiga, Mimovich — Elshnik, Krunych — Milson, Maksimovich, Mvumpa — Ndiai.
PSV: Benitez – Junior, Boscaglia, Flamingo, Karsdorp – Veerman, Schouten – Perisic, Thiel, Bakayoko – De Jong.
They won’t play: Olayinka — Tillman, Dams, Driusz (?), Nagalo (?), Dest (?), Babadi (?).
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS PSV is the favorite in the confrontation. So, you can bet on the victory of the guests with a coefficient of 1.79, while the potential success of Crvena Zvezda is estimated at an indicator of 4.20. The probability of a draw is represented by the coefficient 4.15.
forecast 0:2
[35] Slovan Bratislava — Stuttgart [26]
Tuesday, January 21, 10 p.m. National Stadium, Bratislava. Chief referee — Chris Kavanagh (England) Having started their European Cup campaign with a defeat against Celtic, Slovan’s affairs only went downhill. The goal difference is 5:21 as the team has lost all six games.
The Slovak champions have had to play against Manchester City, AC Milan, Atlético and other top European clubs and have always felt that it would take something special to compete with the big boys from Europe. In some matches they performed well, such as against Milan and Girona, but in others they were solidly outplayed, including Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb.
Last season, Slovan confidently won the national championship, but this year the championship has become tighter: Slovan leads again, although it is only three points ahead of Žilina. However, Slovan have won 14 of their first 18 league matches, including a seven-game winning streak in their last nine games.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, will be looking to improve their away record as the Swabians have lost two of their three matches in the tournament. Their only away win came against Juventus, but that was followed by a humiliating defeat against Crvena Zvezda. After losing in Belgrade, Stuttgart won convincingly against Young Boys.
With two wins, one draw and three defeats in six games, the Swabians are struggling to maintain consistency as they haven’t competed in the Champions League since 2009/10. They qualified under Sebastian Hoenes, who went from league survival to a sensational second-placed finish last season – albeit 17 points behind champions Bayer Leverkusen.
This year, Stutgart is back in the thick of the fight for the Champions League, sitting in fourth place after 18 rounds in the Bundesliga. They come into this game in great form, having won seven of their last eight matches after a convincing win over Freiburg on Saturday. Given such a good game of the “Swabians”, they hope that they will be able to make it to the playoffs by winning in the capital of Slovakia.
INDICATIVE COMPOSITIONS Slavic: Takach — Wimmer, Bayrych, Kashia, Blackman — Savvidis, Ignatenko — Mak, Tolych, Weiss — Strelets.
Stuttgart: Nübel — Mittelschtedt, Chabot, Rouault, Vagnoman — Stiller, Karazor — Fürich, Undav, Millau — Demirovich.
They won’t play: Kutska, Barselyan (?), Voitko (?) — Deal, Zagadu, Raimund, Toure.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS 
CURRENT FORM 
BOOKMAKERS Stuttgart is the favorite in the match. So, you can bet on the victory of the guests with a coefficient of 1.27, while the potential success of Slovan is estimated at an indicator of 10.50. The probability of a draw is represented by the coefficient 6.30.
forecast 0:2