The UEFA Champions League league phase is getting towards the business end. The table is tight, big names are under pressure and every matchday feels like it could swing dramatically.
At the same time, Bet9ja punters have an extra reason to lock in their bets, with our UCL Weekly Jackpot putting ?80,000,000 on the line during the league stage.
Here are the big stories to watch on Matchday 5.
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Tues 25 Nov, 21:00
Chelsea and Barcelona know each other well in Europe and the history between these two clubs always delivers drama. Across 14 previous UEFA meetings, both sides have four wins and six draws, so there is almost nothing between them.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea arrive in good form at Stamford Bridge. They have won both home games in this season’s league phase and have not lost a European group or league-phase match at home since 2019. Domestically they have also tightened up, winning three Premier League games in a row without conceding.
Barcelona come into this one with serious confidence of their own. They have lost only three of their last 20 UEFA matches against English opposition and finally returned to Camp Nou at the weekend with a statement 4-0 win over Athletic. Lamine Yamal is chasing Champions League history before his 19th birthday and Barca’s recent games in this competition have been full of goals.
Both teams sit just outside the automatic qualification places. With the league-phase table so tight, this feels like one of those nights that can define a season for either side.
Chelsea ? ??? pic.twitter.com/5Q3XmipEfD
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) November 23, 2025
Marseille vs Newcastle
Tues 25 Nov, 21:00
Newcastle travel to Marseille with the chance to make a small piece of club history. If they win at the Orange Vélodrome, it will be their first ever run of four straight Champions League victories.
The Magpies arrive on a high. They have won each of their last three games in this season’s competition, scoring nine and conceding none, and they go into this one fresh from a big Premier League win over Manchester City. Their away form in Europe is quietly solid too, with only two defeats in their last 13 Champions League group or league-phase away games.
Marseille’s European form has been much more erratic. They have lost three of their four Champions League league-phase matches, but at the same time they are starting to click in Ligue 1, scoring eight goals across recent wins over Brest and Nice. Mason Greenwood, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Igor Paixao give them enough firepower to trouble anyone at home.
The last time these teams met competitively was in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup, when Didier Drogba knocked Newcastle out in the semi finals. Two decades on, both clubs are chasing a new identity in Europe, and this could easily be one of the most open games of the week.
Liverpool vs PSV
Weds 26 Nov, 21:00
Liverpool are chasing a European landmark as PSV come to Anfield. If the Reds find the net, they will hit 500 goals in the European Cup or Champions League era, with Mohamed Salah just two strikes away from becoming the first African player to score 50 Champions League goals.
Liverpool, though, arrive in crisis. Six defeats in their last seven league matches has put them out of the title race by November. But they have been more impressive in UCL, and Anfield on European nights remains one of the toughest assignments in world football.
Liverpool have won their last 16 group or league-phase home matches and are unbeaten in nine home games against Dutch sides. Cody Gakpo faces his former club again, adding extra spice to the occasion.
PSV, though, cannot be taken lightly. They have only lost three of their last 17 Champions League league-phase matches and have scored in 16 of those games. A 6-2 demolition of Italian champions Napoli earlier in the competition showed exactly how dangerous they can be when their attack clicks.
What has happened to Liverpool this season?! ? pic.twitter.com/VOre1sacYZ
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) November 22, 2025
Arsenal vs Bayern
Weds 26 Nov, 21:00
On current Champions League form, Arsenal vs Bayern might be the tie of the entire league phase. Both teams top the standings after four wins from four, and both are dreaming of a league and Champions League double.
Arsenal have been almost perfect this season. They have won all four group games, scored 11 and conceded zero, and their home record in the competition is intimidating. Mikel Arteta’s side are chasing a 16th consecutive home win in the Champions League league phase and have been ruthless at the Emirates. Bukayo Saka has become a reliable group-stage scorer and the Gunners’ defence is operating at an elite level.
Bayern arrive with their own perfect record and one of the most explosive attacks in Europe. Vincent Kompany’s side have already won at the Parc des Princes and are scoring freely in the Bundesliga, with Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane all capable of taking over a game on their own. Bayern have only lost three of their last 52 Champions League group or league-phase matches.
There is also history. Bayern were Arsenal’s European kryptonite for much of the Wenger era and knocked them out as recently as 2023/24. This time, though, Arsenal look much closer to their level. Whoever wins here sends a message to the rest of Europe.
PSG vs Tottenham
Weds 26 Nov, 21:00
Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham meet again after their dramatic UEFA Super Cup clash earlier this year, when PSG came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and win on penalties. This time the stakes are different, but the quality on the pitch is just as high.
PSG are still in a strong position despite their narrow home defeat to Bayern. Luis Enrique’s side have responded with back-to-back league wins and remain near the top end of the UCL league-phase table. They almost never lose Champions League home games back to back and still have the individual quality to beat anyone, even with Ousmane Dembele injured and Achraf Hakimi sidelined.
Tottenham come into this one with questions to answer after a heavy North London derby defeat. Their Champions League form, though, has been impressive. They are unbeaten in four league-phase games and have kept five clean sheets in their last seven European matches. The Super Cup showed they can hurt PSG, especially if Xavi Simons and their forwards get enough of the ball in dangerous areas.
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