Wednesday sees the conclusion of matchday 7 for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League first phase. The table is crowded, and teams with Wednesday games will have a clear picture of what they need to do before the final matchday next week to avoid elimination. Here is your look at all the action including Marseille vs Liverpool in the south of France. We also have predictions for Champions League matches featuring Newcastle and Chelsea.
Eintracht Frankfurt at Qarabag FK
Qarabag securing 7 points from six games has been enough to push them into a playoff position as it stands, but only precariously. Frankfurt (4 points) are one of the clubs trying to knock them out of that place, but playing at home will be an advantage for the Azeri side. With Frankfurt a pedestrian 7th in the Bundesliga, and also having a poor European campaign, they sacked their manager and are moving forward with the youth coaches as interim. With Frankfurt in such poor form, and missing key names like Mario Gotze and Jonathan Burkardt, this is a game where Qarabag should have the upper hand and move closer to securing a place in the later phase of the tournament. Prediction: Qarabag 2-0
Atletico Madrid at Galatasaray
A home win for Galatasaray would put them into contention for a top 8 direct advance position, and Atletico Madrid is one of the clubs directly ahead of them on the table. Atletico sit 4th in La Liga, while Galatasaray lead the Turkish Super Lig. Victor Osimhen returns to Galatasaray from AFCON duty and is their key man in the attack, without him, the club lost the Turkish super cup in a rather toothless performance. Atletico misses Nico Gonzalez but are relatively healthy. This is the matchup of the star strikers, Argentina’s Julian Alvarez the Atletico talisman, and Osimhen, Nigeria’s best, for Galatasaray. They both could end up on the scoresheet. Given the home environment, Galatasaray should manage to come away with at least a point from this encounter. Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Liverpool at Marseille
Two clubs in a similar position this season, Marseille are third in Ligue 1, and Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League. Marseille are favored to reach the next stage but need to win out to finish in the top 8 in the Champions League, while Liverpool are on the cusp of a top 8 finish themselves. Marseille have shown attacking prowess this season and will be tough to conquer at home. Liverpool will miss the services of Alexander Isak, while Mo Salah is coming back from AFCON duty. Marseille’s main man is Mason Greenwood, with Igor Paixao and Timothy Weah among the other players in attack. Liverpool are a solid team but Marseille at home should have an advantage. Prediction: Marseille 3 Liverpool 2
FC Barcelona at Slavia Prague
Barcelona cling to a narrow lead in La Liga after suffering a defeat on the weekend and looking like a tired squad ahead of the Champions League game. The trip to Slavia Prague, who are nearly last on the UEFA table, isn’t easy, but this is still a lopsided matchup. Slavia Prague lack a goal scoring punch, while Barcelona recently saw their losing streak snapped. Barcelona will play this game without a suspended Lamine Yamal, Raphinha could also be out. Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford could lead the attack. No one in Slavia’s lineup, except perhaps Lukas Provod, would feature in the starting XI for Barcelona, anything short of a comfortable Barca win would be a shock. Prediction: Barcelona 3-0
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
