The 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage continues this week with matchday three.
The second day brought all the action, com arsenal recovered from recent problems in aVictory by 4-1 at Valerengawhereas Manchester City completed a comeback win over St. Polten Chelsea they expanded their domain, registering a 3-1 victory at FC Twente on the road in the Netherlands.
The sixteen teams will return this week, for another exciting day of matches on the European stage.
90 minutes take a look at all the matches of matchday three and predict who can emerge victorious.
Juventus and Arsenal have started their European campaign in turbulent fashion, both winning against Valerenga, but falling to defeat at Bayern Munich.
The Italian side currently sit top of the women’s Serie A table and will be eager to carry that form into the Champions League. A win will see them steal second place from the Gunners in their group.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners have almost said goodbye to theirs Women’s Super League (WSL) title awaits, and they will be eager to get another win after that beat Brighton 5-0 last week.
The tie could end in a draw, but a hungry Arsenal can end up with the advantage over the Italian side on the road.
Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Arsenal
If the first series of clashes is anything to go by, the back-to-back Champions League holders should be the favorites for this tie.
After thrashing Hammarby 9-0 on matchday two (a team that beat St. Polten 2-0), Barcelona will look even more dangerous this week.
Although, it is difficult to completely rule out the St. Polten after the Austrian side tested Man City to the limit in a 3-2 defeat on matchday two.
Prediction: Barcelona 5-0 St. Polten
Man City remain unbeaten in all competitions of the 2024/25 season, including back-to-back Champions League wins in the first two matches of the group stage.
With a statement victory, City stole victory from defending champions Barcelona at the Joie Stadium, before a fightback resulted in a 3-2 win against St. Polten It’s hard to put this City aside going forward as they continue their European push.
Despite Hammarby’s positive performance against St. They start the first day, a 9-0 blow at the hands of Barcelona alludes to the odds in favor of Man City in this match.
Prediction: Man City 4-1 Hammarby
Bayern Munich have started their Champions League journey with the intention of continuing, with emphatic wins over Arsenal and Juventus in their opening two matches. Alexander Straus’ side will now host winless Valerenga at the FC Bayern Munich campus in a chance to further cement their push for top spot.
A 1-0 defeat to Juventus on the opening day of the group stage led to some hopeful signs for group underdogs Valerenga, but a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal meant their future in the Champions League seemed bleak.
The Norwegian side will now face their biggest test yet, and it will be a tall order if they are to take points away from the German giants.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-0 Valerenga
Both winless in their opening two matches, Galatasaray and Wolfsburg will be incredibly hungry to get three points on the board.
A disappointing Wolfsburg side appear to be coming to the end of their European reign, losing to Roma and Lyon in the opening two rounds. Although much needs to be said about the quality of their group, the two aforementioned teams are very formidable rivals.
Galatasaray will be delighted to return home to the Atatürk Olympic Stadium for the game, hoping their fans can swing the momentum in their favor during the must-win clash.
It is difficult to predict the outcome of such a tight tie, but Wolfsburg should have enough quality in their ranks to overcome the Turkish side.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1-3 Wolfsburg
Currently tied on points in their group, both Real Madrid and FC Twente are three points ahead of Chelsea. All that separates the two sides is a three-goal turnaround in favor of Real Madrid, after a 4-0 thrashing of Celtic restored their goal difference to positive numbers.
FC Twente put in a good display against Chelsea despite the loss, and looked the more promising of the two teams in the second half of the proceedings. The Dutch side are sure to wreak havoc in their group, with an impressive squad that can fly under the radar.
The match is sure to be exciting as the two sides prepare to face each other at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 FC Twente
It’s a trip to Italy for last year’s Champions League finalists Lyon as the French giants prepare for their biggest test of the 2024/25 group stage.
Both unbeaten in their first two group stage matches, Roma and Lyon will meet in a thrilling match at the Estadio Tre Fontane.
Roma are currently top of their group, but only one goal separates the two teams in the standings. The Italian side will be keen to capitalize on their home advantage ahead of a perplexing double with Lyon.
While Roma’s talent should not be underestimated, it seems likely that Lyon will have enough quality and experience to prevail on occasion.
Prediction: Roma 0-1 Lyon
Chelsea will make the short trip to Scotland for their third Champions League group stage match as the Blues prepare to face Celtic in Glasgow.
Tournament newcomers Celtic have not received the best welcome in the Champions League, conceding six goals in two defeats in their opening two games. The test only gets tougher for Elena Sadiku’s side as they now prepare to host WSL giants Chelsea at Celtic Park.
Chelsea are yet to drop a point in all competitions since the appointment of new manager Sonia Bompastor, and that form is expected to continue on Wednesday night. Despite lacking key personnel in the front line, Chelsea have enough attacking options to wreak havoc again.
