UCL Matchday 8 Preview: Can Arsenal Make History? Plus, Why We’re Tipping a Benfica Miracle

The UEFA Champions League League Phase reaches its dramatic conclusion this Wednesday. With only Arsenal and Bayern München guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16, the scramble for the top eight—and survival in the top 24 is at fever pitch.

We’ve crunched the numbers from UEFA’s latest stat pack and lined them up against our own predictions to bring you the definitive guide to Matchday 8.

The headline Act: Arsenal Chasing Perfection

The Stat: Arsenal are currently the only team to have won their first seven League Phase matches. No team in history has ever won all eight games since this format was introduced.

Our Prediction: Arsenal 5-0 Kairat Almaty

History is beckoning for the Gunners. Kairat Almaty arrives in North London winless in their last 10 UEFA matches. We expect Arsenal not just to win, but to make a statement. A 5-0 drubbing seals a perfect 24/24 points campaign, cementing them as the undisputed favorites heading into the knockouts.

The Upset Alert: Benfica vs. Real Madrid

The Stat: All eyes are on Kylian Mbappé, who has equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 11 goals in a single group stage campaign. A goal here breaks the record. However, Benfica boss Bruno Lage will be rallying his troops, and let’s not forget the “Special One” connection Real Madrid legend José Mourinho (now Benfica coach in this timeline or spiritual adversary) knows how to set up a block.

Our Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Real Madrid

This is our boldest call of the round. While the stats favor Madrid (unbeaten in 10 against Portuguese teams), the desperation of Benfica to climb from 29th place into the playoff spots will be the difference maker. We are tipping the Eagles to clip Madrid’s wings in Lisbon, leaving Mbappé frustrated and Benfica miraculously qualifying for the playoffs.

The Narrative Battle: Conte vs. The Blues

The Stat: Napoli boss Antonio Conte welcomes his former side, Chelsea, to the Diego Maradona Stadium. History is against the Blues here: Chelsea have lost six of their last seven away games against Italian opposition.

Our Prediction: Napoli 1-3 Chelsea

We are bucking the historical trend here. Despite Chelsea’s struggles on Italian soil, their current form is too potent. We predict Enzo Maresca’s men will spoil Conte’s reunion party, securing a comfortable win that locks them into the automatic Top 8 qualification spots.

The Goal Fests: Munich & Manchester

PSV vs. Bayern München

The Stat: Harry Kane has been a machine, netting 26 goals in 32 Champions League appearances for Bayern. PSV, meanwhile, have struggled against German opposition, winless in their last five attempts.

Our Prediction: PSV 0-4 Bayern

It’s going to be a long night for the Dutch side. We expect Kane to run riot, and a 4-0 battering will likely send PSV crashing out of the competition entirely.

Man City vs. Galatasaray

The Stat: City are trying to avoid back-to-back home defeats in the UCL for the first time since 2018. Galatasaray, however, haven’t won away in Europe in their last 12 attempts.

Our Prediction: Man City 3-2 Galatasaray

This screams “goals.” City’s defense has been leaky, but their attack remains world-class. We see a chaotic, high-scoring affair where City just edges it, though crucially our table calculations suggest even a win might not be enough to squeeze them into the Top 8 on goal difference.

The Final Verdict

If these results hold, we are looking at one of the most chaotic tables in recent memory.

• Arsenal and Bayern cruise into the Round of 16.
• Man City could shockingly finish 9th, missing the automatic cut by the finest of margins.
• Benfica and Pafos are our picks for the “Great Escape,” jumping from the elimination zone to the playoffs on the final day.

Buckle up. Wednesday night is going to be historic!