The group stage of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League has reached the latter stages as just two games remain before the knockout rounds get underway.
Chelsea, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Manchester City are among those already qualified, but the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona can also book their place with wins this week. Gameweek six will then conclude the group stage before Christmas.
Barcelona are the current holders of the trophy after they beat Lyon 2-0 in the final earlier this year. Two-time winners Wolfsburg are at risk of being knocked out as they currently sit third in their group on goal difference, while Italian side Roma will be hopeful of reaching the latter stages of the competition for just the second time in their history.
With that being said, 90min have predicted the results of matchday five of the UWCL…
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Lyon are top of group A / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/GettyImages
Galatasaray are yet to pick up any points in group A with four defeats in their four games so far. Lyon, on the other hand, are top with 12 points from a possible 12.
It’s difficult to see anything other than a Lyon victory. The French side won the previous meeting between these two teams 3-0, so a similar result will likely occur again.
Prediction: Galatasaray 0-4 Lyon
AS Roma v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Women's Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage MD3
AS Roma would reach the knockout rounds for just the second time in their history / Paolo Bruno/GettyImages
The other group A fixture sees Wolfsburg take on Roma, and this one is a lot tougher to call. They both sit on six points after four games with two wins and two defeats each.
Roma won the last meeting between the two teams 1-0, but this is an absolute must-win for Wolfsburg if they’re to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages. They take on Lyon in the final gameweek, which couldn’t get much tougher.
Prediction: Wolfsburg 2-1 Roma
Sonia Bompastor
Chelsea have a 100 percent record in the UWCL this season / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Chelsea have a 100 percent record in the Champions League so far this season and look unstoppable. Last time out against FC Twente, they secured a 3-1 victory away from home to cement their place at the top of the group.
The Dutch side have won just one of their games so far in the group, so picking anything up away from home against Sonia Bompastor’s side is a tall order. Chelsea’s winning run will surely continue on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 FC Twente
Caroline Weir, Linda Caicedo, Maelle Lakrar, Maria Isabel Rodriguez Rivero
Real Madrid travel to face Celtic / Soccrates Images/GettyImages
Also in group B, Real Madrid travel to face Celtic at the SuperSeal Stadium. The Scottish side are bottom of the standings without a win and have conceded 11 goals across their group stage campaign so far.
Los Blancos, on the other hand, are second in the standings and just three points behind leaders Chelsea. They will be confident of securing a win to put their qualification for the knockout rounds beyond doubt.
Prediction: Celtic 0-4 Real Madrid
Jovana Damnjanovic
Bayern Munich are top of group C / Mark Wieland/GettyImages
Thursday’s clash is a must-win for Juventus if they’re to have any hope of qualifying for the latter stages of the competition. The Italian side have won just one of their four games so far and need two wins from their final two matches, as well as Arsenal to lose both of their remaining games.
Bayern, though, have dropped points in just one of their matches so far and will be a tough test for Juventus. For that reason, it’s difficult to see Max Canzi’s side getting the result they desperately need.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-0 Juventus
Renee Slegers
Arsenal have been in good form under Renee Slegers / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages
Last time out against Valerenga, Arsenal secured a comfortable 4-1 win over the Norwegian side at the Emirates Stadium. While Valerenga have previously taken points off Bayern in the group stage, Renee Slegers’ side will likely secure another win.
The Gunners’ qualification for the knockout stages is almost confirmed, but can be put beyond any doubt with a win on Thursday night.
Prediction: Valerenga 1-5 Arsenal
Alexia Putellas, Kika Nazareth
Barcelona will hope to secure their qualification for the knockout rounds / Eric Alonso/GettyImages
Barcelona may not be top of group D, but they are favourites to qualify alongside Manchester City and are favourites heading into Thursday’s clash with Hammarby. Last time these two sides met, the current European champions secured a staggering 9-0 victory.
It’s difficult to see anything other than a similar result this week, as Hammarby have conceded 13 goals across their group stage campaign so far. Next week’s meeting with City will be the priority for Barcelona as they look to secure top spot, but they will have more than enough to see off Hammarby.
Prediction: Hammarby 0-5 Barcelona
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Manchester City are currently top of group D / JAKOB AKERSTEN BRODEN/GettyImages
The final game of matchweek five sees Manchester City host Austrian side St. Polten at the Joie Stadium. Gareth Taylor’s side didn’t necessarily secure a comfortable win last time these two teams met, as it took a late winner from Mary Fowler to secure a 3-2 victory.
However, City should have more than enough to get over the line a second time. Although, the City boss will be conscious of a difficult WSL game against Everton over the weekend, followed by their final UWCL group stage game against Barcelona next week.
Prediction: Man City 2-0 St. Polten
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