The UEFA Champions League returns with Matchday 7, and the 2024-25 season is delivering excitement like never before. The tournament’s expanded format—now featuring 36 teams and a single league-phase structure—has raised the stakes across Europe.

Gone are the familiar eight groups of four, replaced with a system where each team plays eight matches, battling for a spot in the top eight to secure automatic Round of 16 qualification.

For teams ranked ninth to 24th, a new playoff round offers another shot at glory, while the bottom 12 face immediate elimination. With no Europa League safety net, this season’s Champions League is truly unforgiving.

Here’s a look at what Matchday 7 has in store as Europe’s finest fight for their futures.

Liverpool: Eyes on Perfection

Liverpool, the only team boasting a 100% record, are on the brink of Round of 16 qualification. A draw against Lille will guarantee their place in the top eight, but even a loss might suffice depending on other results. Arne Slot’s side has been relentless, claiming 25 competitive wins this season—the highest in Europe’s top five leagues.

Simulations favor Liverpool to secure victory with a 69.8% probability.

Atalanta’s Redemption Arc

Atalanta host Sturm Graz in Bergamo, aiming to end a five-game home winless streak in the Champions League. The odds are stacked in their favor, as Austrian teams have never beaten Italian opposition in the competition (D3 L11). With a 75.9% chance of victory, Atalanta are well-placed to capitalize on this opportunity and boost their playoff hopes.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atlético Madrid: A Tight Contest

Leverkusen’s remarkable 12-match winning streak faces a stern test in Madrid against Atlético, who themselves had enjoyed a 15-game winning run until a shock defeat at Leganés. Both sides are vying for a top-eight finish, and the simulations suggest a fiercely competitive match, with Atlético slightly favored (39.8%) over Leverkusen (33.1%).

Barcelona’s Portuguese Challenge

Barcelona are tantalizingly close to securing a Round of 16 spot. With 15 points already in the bag, a win against Benfica in Lisbon would cement their place among Europe’s elite. However, they’ll be haunted by memories of their last visit to the Estádio da Luz, where Benfica handed them a 3-0 drubbing in 2021. The supercomputer tips Barça to edge this encounter (46.1%), but the Catalans must tread carefully.

High-Stakes Clashes Elsewhere

Aston Villa vs. Monaco: Villa’s trip to Monaco is a pivotal match for both sides. A win for Villa would strengthen their top-eight ambitions, while a Monaco victory would see them draw level on points. It’s a near toss-up, with Monaco narrowly favored (38.7%) over Villa (35.4%).

Manchester City at PSG: Two European heavyweights meet in Paris, both struggling to live up to expectations this season. City, the defending champions, have managed only eight points from six games, while PSG trail with seven. This match could decide their playoff fates, with PSG given a slight edge (39.2%) over City (36.5%) in what promises to be a must-watch encounter.

Brest’s Cinderella Story

Brest has been the surprise package of the tournament, collecting 13 points in their debut Champions League season. A win against Shakhtar Donetsk would make them the first French side to win five games in their inaugural UCL campaign since Lyon in 2000-01. With simulations calling this the tightest match of the round (36.6% to 36.3% in Brest’s favor), the French underdogs will need every ounce of grit to secure victory.

Expected Dominance from the Big Guns

Europe’s giants are predicted to cruise through their fixtures:

Bayern Munich: Favored to win against Feyenoord.

Inter Milan: Backed to beat Sparta Prague.

Arsenal: Expected to overcome Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates.

Real Madrid: Poised to dominate RB Salzburg at home.

Meanwhile, Celtic have a golden opportunity to keep their playoff hopes alive as they host a winless Young Boys side. Simulations give Brendan Rodgers’ men a commanding 67.0% chance of victory.

The marquee clash of the round is Manchester City’s trip to PSG. Both teams have underwhelmed this season, but their matchup could determine whether they survive the league phase. With everything to play for, this game is set to be a thrilling spectacle.

Matchday 7 promises heart-stopping action, with playoff dreams, undefeated streaks, and historic milestones all at stake.

As the tournament’s new format continues to deliver drama, the race for European glory is more intense than ever. Fans, buckle up—this is Champions League football at its finest.