Soccer January 21, 2026

The Stade Velodrome stands as one of European football's most intimidating cauldrons, and tonight it welcomes the team that leads the UEFA Champions League outright betting market. Liverpool, fresh off their blockbuster January signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and having retained Mohamed Salah despite intense Saudi Pro League interest, arrive in Marseille with their European credentials firmly established. Arne Slot's side has been nothing short of sensational this season, dominating the Premier League while maintaining their Champions League pedigree.

This fixture carries immense historical weight. Liverpool haven't won at the Velodrome since 2004, a drought spanning over two decades of unsuccessful visits to the south of France. The atmosphere alone can unsettle even the most battle-hardened opponents, with Marseille's ultras creating a wall of noise that transforms this venue into a fortress. But Slot's Liverpool are different. They don't just survive hostile environments anymore, they embrace them, turning away fixtures into showcases of their tactical sophistication and clinical finishing.

Wirtz and Salah: Liverpool's Devastating Attack

The January arrival of Florian Wirtz has transformed Liverpool's attacking profile. The German wonderkid, who orchestrated Leverkusen's historic invincible Bundesliga season in 2023-24, brings a level of technical creativity that complements Salah's direct running and Darwin Nunez's physical presence. Wirtz operates in spaces between the lines, finding pockets where defenders can't track him, and his arrival gives Slot tactical flexibility that few managers in world football can match. Against Marseille's aggressive pressing, Wirtz's ability to receive under pressure and release quickly could be decisive.

Mohamed Salah's decision to stay at Anfield, rejecting what was reportedly a record-breaking offer from Saudi Arabia, speaks volumes about Liverpool's project under Slot. The Egyptian King remains one of the most dangerous wide forwards in world football, and his combination play with the newly-arrived Wirtz has already shown flashes of brilliance in training footage. Marseille's fullbacks will face a nightmarish evening trying to contain these two, particularly if Liverpool establish early territorial dominance.

Roberto De Zerbi's Tactical Challenge

Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi have shown they can compete with anyone on their day, but consistency has been their Achilles heel. The Italian's possession-based system works beautifully when his players execute, but against elite pressing teams like Liverpool, the risks of playing out from the back can become liabilities. De Zerbi will need to decide whether to stay true to his principles or adapt to Liverpool's relentless gegenpressing, a tactical dilemma that has haunted many coaches at the Velodrome.

The French side's goal-scoring form has been impressive in 2026, netting 14 goals across all competitions including that 9-0 Coupe de France demolition. But Liverpool's defensive organization under Slot is among the best in Europe, with Virgil van Dijk continuing to marshal a backline that concedes chances grudgingly. Marseille will need to be clinical with whatever opportunities they create, because against this Liverpool side, you might only get one or two clear looks at goal all match.

The Bottom Line

Liverpool at -116 represents fair value for a team of their caliber traveling to a difficult venue. The Velodrome factor and Marseille's home form prevent this from being a comfortable selection, but Slot's side have shown they can win anywhere in Europe. The Wirtz addition provides an extra dimension that Marseille haven't seen on film, and Salah's continued presence keeps Liverpool among the elite attacking units on the continent. The BTTS market at -180 feels slightly overpriced given Liverpool's defensive prowess, but both teams have shown they can find the net. Liverpool to grind out a result, likely 2-1 or 1-0, and maintain their position at the top of the UCL outright market.

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich have been absolutely devastating in 2026, and the numbers tell a story of complete offensive domination. Sixteen goals in their last three matches represents the kind of form that transforms Champions League aspirations into trophy lifts. The Belgian manager, who cut his tactical teeth at Burnley before taking the Bayern reins, has unlocked something extraordinary in this squad, a relentless attacking machine that treats goal-scoring as inevitable rather than aspirational.

Union Saint-Gilloise represent Belgian football's fairytale story, but fairytales typically end when they collide with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The Brussels-based club earned their Champions League spot through consistent domestic excellence, but the gulf in quality between the Belgian Pro League and the Bundesliga's giants is cavernous. Bayern haven't just been winning at home this season, they've been destroying opponents, turning the Allianz Arena into a venue where visiting defenses come to suffer.

Kompany's Tactical Revolution

What Vincent Kompany has done at Bayern Munich deserves recognition as one of football's great coaching achievements. The former Manchester City captain arrived with questions about his readiness for elite management, having experienced relegation at Burnley despite praise for his playing style. But at Bayern, Kompany has found the perfect marriage of ambition and resources. His pressing schemes are relentless, his attacking structures are fluid, and his players are buying in completely to a vision that prioritizes entertainment alongside results.

The 16 goals in three matches statistic isn't just impressive, it's historically significant. Bayern teams have always been capable of scoring floods of goals, but Kompany's side do it with a purposeful aggression that feels different from previous iterations. They don't just dominate possession and wait for openings, they create chaos through coordinated pressing and lightning transitions. Union Saint-Gilloise's back line will face waves of attacks from minute one, and the question isn't whether they'll concede, but how many they can prevent.

Union's Damage Limitation Mission

For Union Saint-Gilloise, this fixture represents survival more than competition. Their realistic objectives are simple: don't get embarrassed, maintain professional pride, and maybe, just maybe, find a moment to celebrate. The Belgian side have talented individuals who can create in transition, but against Bayern's pressing intensity, getting the ball into dangerous areas will be an achievement in itself. Their midfield will be overrun, their defenders will be stretched, and their goalkeeper will have a very busy evening.

The -909 moneyline on Bayern reflects the overwhelming nature of this mismatch. That implied probability of approximately 91% actually feels conservative given Bayern's current form. The -3.5 Asian Handicap at -110 represents the value play here, asking Bayern to win by four or more goals. Given they've scored 16 in three matches, covering a four-goal spread feels well within reach, particularly against a side that lacks the defensive organization to frustrate elite attackers.

The Bottom Line

This is the definition of a mismatch. Bayern Munich, scoring at a rate of 5.3 goals per game in 2026, hosting a Belgian side that hasn't shown the capacity to compete at this level away from home. The -909 moneyline offers no value, but the -3.5 Asian Handicap at -110 provides an attractive entry point. Expect Bayern to treat this as a training exercise with live opposition, rotating some key players while still generating enough attacking quality to cover the spread comfortably. A 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline feels probable, with the only question being whether Union can salvage any pride from an evening that promises to be long and painful.

Two of European football's sleeping giants meet in Turin with significant Champions League implications hanging over both clubs. Juventus, still searching for the identity that made them Serie A's dominant force for a decade, welcome a Benfica side that has rediscovered their attacking swagger under Roger Schmidt. This fixture represents more than three points, it's a statement game for two clubs desperate to prove they belong among Europe's elite rather than merely occupying space in the competition.

The Old Lady's inconsistency has been maddening for their supporters this season. Flashes of brilliance have been interspersed with performances that would embarrass a mid-table Serie A side. At the Allianz Stadium, they've been better, using home advantage to paper over cracks in their tactical structure. But Benfica represent exactly the type of opponent that exposes Juventus' weaknesses: technically proficient, physically capable, and utterly ruthless on the counter-attack when given space to exploit.

Thiago Motta's Tactical Puzzle

Thiago Motta's appointment was supposed to herald a new era of attractive, progressive football at Juventus. The former midfielder, who impressed at Bologna with his possession-based approach, has found the transition to a giant club challenging. The expectations at Juventus don't allow for developmental seasons, and his team's inconsistency has tested even the most patient Bianconeri supporters. Against Benfica, Motta needs his players to execute at a level they've struggled to sustain all season.

The Italian's preference for build-up play from the back creates opportunities for Benfica's aggressive pressing. Roger Schmidt has built a Benfica side that hunts the ball in packs, suffocating opponents who try to pass through pressure. If Juventus' defenders show any hesitancy or technical deficiency, Benfica will punish them. This tactical battle between Motta's patience and Schmidt's aggression could define the entire match, with the first goal likely proving decisive in setting the template for the remaining action.

Benfica's Counter-Attack Threat

Benfica arrive in Turin with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Roger Schmidt's side have shown they can compete with anyone when their transition game clicks, and Juventus' defensive line, which can be caught high and slow to recover, presents exactly the type of vulnerability they exploit best. The Portuguese champions have players capable of punishing Juventus on the break, with pace and directness that could leave the Old Lady's defenders scrambling.

The +220 on Benfica offers genuine value for a team of their quality. While Juventus at home command respect, their inconsistency means they're far from reliable favorites. This feels like a match that could go any direction, and the market's slight lean toward the home side doesn't fully account for Benfica's European pedigree and current form. The BTTS market at -150 captures the likely nature of this encounter: two teams capable of scoring, neither capable of keeping a clean sheet against quality opposition.

The Bottom Line

This is a genuine toss-up between two historically significant clubs who have both struggled to reach their potential this season. Juventus' home advantage provides a slight edge, but Benfica's counter-attacking quality and European experience make them dangerous visitors. The +125 on Juventus feels about right, though the +220 on Benfica offers better value for those willing to side with the visitors. The BTTS market at -150 represents the safest angle: both teams will create chances, and both defenses have shown enough vulnerability to suggest goals at both ends. Expect a competitive, tense affair that could easily finish 2-1 to either side or end level at 1-1.

St. James' Park transforms into a cauldron of noise when European football arrives on Tyneside, and tonight's fixture against PSV Eindhoven promises another memorable occasion. Newcastle United, who returned to Champions League football with ambitions of establishing themselves among the continent's elite, need a result here to maintain their hopes of automatic qualification to the Round of 16. Eddie Howe's side have shown they belong at this level, but inconsistency has prevented them from truly stamping their authority on the competition.

PSV Eindhoven arrive as Eredivisie champions, carrying the flag for Dutch football in a competition where their country's clubs have struggled to compete with the financial and squad depth advantages held by Europe's super clubs. The Eindhoven side play attractive, attacking football that entertains but can also leave them exposed defensively. Against Newcastle's physical, direct approach, PSV will need to show they can handle the intensity that Premier League football demands.

Howe's Pressing Machine

Eddie Howe has built Newcastle into one of the Premier League's most physically demanding teams to face. The Magpies press with relentless intensity, turning every match into a battle of wills where the team that wants it more often prevails. PSV's technical players will face constant harassment, forced to make decisions under pressure that they rarely experience in the more measured Eredivisie. If Newcastle establish their pressing rhythm early, PSV could find themselves overwhelmed before they've had a chance to settle.

The home advantage factor at St. James' Park cannot be overstated. The Geordie faithful create an atmosphere that intimidates even experienced European travelers, and PSV's relatively young squad may struggle with the intensity of playing in such a hostile environment. Newcastle have used this advantage brilliantly in European competition, turning home fixtures into occasions where visiting teams must survive first, compete second. PSV's technical ability means little if they can't handle the physical and psychological demands of playing on Tyneside.

PSV's Technical Quality

For all Newcastle's physical advantages, PSV shouldn't be dismissed as mere victims in this encounter. The Dutch champions have players capable of punishing any team that over-commits, and their quick passing combinations can unlock even the most organized defenses. If PSV can survive the early Newcastle storm and establish possession in dangerous areas, they have the quality to create genuine scoring opportunities. The question is whether their defensive structure can hold long enough to give their attackers a platform to operate from.

The Over 2.5 at -135 looks attractive given both teams' attacking capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities. Newcastle will create chances through their aggressive pressing and direct play, while PSV's technical quality means they'll generate opportunities of their own. This feels like a match that could produce goals at both ends, though Newcastle's home advantage and physical superiority make them the more likely winners. The -1 spread at +120 offers value for those confident in a Newcastle victory margin.

The Bottom Line

Newcastle's home advantage, physical superiority, and St. James' Park atmosphere make them deserving favorites. PSV have quality, but the step up from Eredivisie to Premier League intensity at a venue like this is significant. The -145 moneyline on Newcastle feels fair, while the -1 spread at +120 offers better value for those confident in the home side. Expect Newcastle to control the match through their pressing, with PSV's technical players struggling to find the space they need to be effective. A 2-0 or 2-1 Newcastle victory feels most likely, with the Magpies taking a significant step toward automatic Round of 16 qualification.

Barcelona continue their Champions League campaign with a trip to Prague, where Slavia Praha await with the hopeful optimism of underdogs everywhere. The Blaugrana, who have rediscovered their identity under Hansi Flick's guidance, arrive in the Czech Republic as heavy favorites, and the market's -250 moneyline reflects the gulf in quality between these two sides. This is La Masia meeting Czech persistence, technical brilliance confronting organized resistance, and the outcome feels inevitable even before kickoff.

Flick's Barcelona have been a revelation this season. The German manager, who won everything at Bayern Munich before a difficult spell with the German national team, has implemented his high-intensity pressing system with remarkable success at Camp Nou. Young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri have flourished under his guidance, while veterans like Robert Lewandowski continue to provide the clinical finishing that separates good teams from great ones. Against Slavia, Barcelona will expect to dominate possession and territory, creating waves of attacks that the Czech champions must somehow withstand.

Flick's Pressing Blueprint

Hansi Flick's tactical approach at Barcelona mirrors what made him so successful at Bayern Munich: relentless pressing, quick transitions, and an unwavering belief in attacking football. His Barcelona side don't just want to beat opponents, they want to overwhelm them, suffocating possession in the opponent's half and creating chaos through coordinated pressing triggers. Slavia's defenders will face constant pressure, forced into rushed decisions that elite teams like Barcelona punish with ruthless efficiency.

The emergence of Lamine Yamal as a genuine world-class talent has given Barcelona a weapon that few teams can contain. The teenage sensation, already drawing comparisons to a young Messi, possesses the technical ability and decision-making that belong to players twice his age. Against Slavia's defenders, who rarely face this level of individual quality, Yamal will have opportunities to showcase why he's considered the most exciting prospect in world football. His partnership with the experienced Lewandowski creates a generational bridge that embodies Barcelona's past and future simultaneously.

Slavia's Pride Battle

For Slavia Praha, this match represents an opportunity to test themselves against genuine European royalty. The Czech champions know they're overmatched, but professional pride demands they compete. The Eden Arena will be rocking, with Slavia's passionate supporters creating an atmosphere that could unsettle Barcelona if the visitors treat this as a formality. History is littered with examples of big clubs suffering embarrassing results when they underestimate smaller opponents, and Slavia will hope to add another chapter to that tradition.

The reality, however, suggests Barcelona's quality will prove overwhelming. Slavia's defenders will spend the evening chasing shadows, trying to contain players who operate at a level they rarely encounter. The -250 moneyline offers no value, but the -1.5 spread at -115 provides an attractive entry point. Barcelona should win comfortably, with the only question being whether they show the ruthlessness to turn dominance into a convincing scoreline.

The Bottom Line

Barcelona are simply too good for Slavia Praha, and this match should follow a predictable pattern: Blaugrana dominance from start to finish. The -250 moneyline offers no value, but the -1.5 spread at -115 presents an attractive opportunity for those confident in Barcelona's finishing. Flick's side have shown they can destroy lesser opponents when focused, and Slavia lack the defensive quality to frustrate them for 90 minutes. Expect a comfortable 3-0 or 3-1 Barcelona victory, with Yamal and Lewandowski likely finding the scoresheet. The Czech champions will compete with pride, but class tells in European football, and Barcelona have it in abundance.

Two of European football's most distinctive clubs meet in Bergamo in what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle. Atalanta, the Europa League holders under Gian Piero Gasperini, continue to punch above their weight against the continent's elite, while Athletic Bilbao's unique Basque-only recruitment policy produces players of remarkable technical quality and fighting spirit. This is a match between two clubs that represent everything good about football's romanticism: identity, methodology, and unwavering commitment to their principles.

Gasperini's Atalanta have become synonymous with attacking football that borders on chaotic brilliance. La Dea play with an intensity and positional fluidity that confuses opponents, with defenders becoming attackers and vice versa in constant positional rotations. Against Bilbao's organized, disciplined system, Atalanta will seek to create the kind of chaos that has made them one of Europe's most entertaining teams to watch. The question is whether Bilbao's pragmatism can contain Gasperini's beautiful madness.

Gasperini's System vs Bilbao's Discipline

Gian Piero Gasperini has built something remarkable at Atalanta. His 3-4-3 system, with its constant positional interchanges and aggressive man-marking, creates problems that most teams simply cannot solve. Defenders find themselves marked by opponents they didn't expect, while attackers discover space in areas that should be protected. Against Bilbao's structured defensive system, Gasperini will seek to create overloads and one-on-one situations that favor his technically gifted players.

Athletic's 0-0 draw with PSG in their previous Champions League outing demonstrated their defensive capabilities against elite opposition. Ernesto Valverde has built a team that knows exactly what it is: physically robust, tactically disciplined, and capable of frustrating the most talented attacking units in Europe. Their Basque-only policy means they'll never have the financial firepower to compete with the super clubs, but their identity produces players who fight with a passion that money cannot buy.

The Bottom Line

This is a match where tactical methodology matters more than individual quality. Atalanta's attacking chaos against Bilbao's organized resistance creates a fascinating dynamic that could produce a high-scoring thriller or a tense, low-scoring battle of wills. The Under 2.5 at +115 offers value given Bilbao's defensive record in the Champions League, while the BTTS market at -130 reflects both teams' capability to find the net. Atalanta's home advantage makes them slight favorites, but Bilbao's discipline and set-piece threat make them dangerous visitors. Expect a competitive, tense affair that could easily finish 1-0 or 1-1.