FC Barcelona responded well to their La Liga defeat against Real Sociedad by securing an important 4-2 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League under extremely challenging conditions. Freezing temperatures made adaptation difficult, a fact the players themselves acknowledged after the match, but the result was ultimately what mattered most.
Hansi Flick’s side came from behind in Prague to claim all three points, keeping their hopes alive of finishing the league phase among the top eight teams. Doing so would allow Barcelona to qualify directly for the Champions League round of 16 without having to contest a playoff.
Following matchday seven, Barcelona sit 9th in the table with 13 points, level with seven other teams ranging from Paris Saint-Germain in 6th place down to Atalanta in 13th. With so many sides tied on points, goal difference is likely to be decisive on the final unified matchday. Barcelona currently have a +5 goal difference, which places them behind PSG, Newcastle, and Chelsea, but ahead of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Atalanta.
One key factor working in Barcelona’s favour is that PSG and Newcastle face each other on the final matchday. That result guarantees that at least one direct rival will drop points, potentially easing the Blaugrana’s path into the top eight if they take care of their own business.
Barcelona will host Copenhagen at the Spotify Camp Nou next Wednesday, January 28, knowing that a win, preferably by a comfortable margin, is essential. Copenhagen sit 26th with eight points but still have a mathematical chance of finishing inside the top 24, meaning they will arrive in Barcelona highly motivated.
Despite the absence of key midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, Flick’s team is still expected to have enough attacking quality to secure the result they need. The pressure will be on, but the scenario remains firmly in Barcelona’s control.
Further optimism comes from Opta’s supercomputer, which has projected the final standings of the Champions League league phase using a wide range of statistical variables. According to Opta Analyst, Barcelona are expected to finish 5th, comfortably inside the top eight. Fans looking to back their predictions may explore odds with non-UK bookmakers at NonGamStopBets to find competitive offers outside the UK market.
Only Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Real Madrid are predicted to finish above the Catalan club. Barcelona are also forecast to overtake Tottenham, while Manchester City and Atletico Madrid complete the top eight. Notably, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are predicted to finish 9th and miss out on automatic qualification.
If Opta’s prediction proves accurate, it would represent a significant boost for Barcelona. Finishing in the top eight would allow the Catalan giants to avoid the two-legged play-off round, sparing them two high-intensity knockout matches in an already congested schedule.
Opta supercomputer predicted Champions League league phase standings
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Real Madrid
- FC Barcelona
- Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Atletico Madrid
- Sporting
- Chelsea
- Newcastle United
- Atalanta
- Juventus
- Inter Milan
- Borussia Dortmund
- Galatasaray
- Qarabag
- Olympique Marseille
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Monaco
- Olympiakos
- PSV
- Napoli
- Athletic Club
- Club Brugge
- Benfica
- Pafos
- Bodo Glimt
- Copenhagen
- Union Saint Gilloise
- Ajax
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Slavia Prague
- Villarreal
- Kairat
