Best UEFA Champions League Picks and Predictions: Wednesday UCL

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Wed Jan 21, 2026, 9:54 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Raphinha and Barcelona head to St. James' Park to face Newcastle United - UEFA Champions League Picks

UEFA

We are back again for the final slate of matches for this week in the UCL. The table is almost set, as after today's contests, we have just one match remaining per squad. One final chance to earn points to climb the table. Let's get into today's UCL picks and see what we're wagering on today.

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UEFA Champions League Picks and Predictions – January 21

Arsenal is still alone on top of the UCL table, with a perfect 7-0-0 record. If Bayern Munich fails to win today, the Gunners will stay there, regardless of the result in their eighth match. Even if Munich wins, Arsenal will only need one point at home against Kairat Almaty next week to seal their spot at the top.

The race for a spot in the top eight is heating up as well, as just three points separate teams ranking No. 5 through No. 15. It should be very exciting seeing how these teams do today and next week, in order to secure the best spot possible.

Atalanta vs. Athletic Club UEFA Champions League Picks

Yunus Musah and Atalanta could jump up towards the top of the UCL table with a win tonight - UCL Picks

Yunus Musah and Atalanta could jump up towards the top of the UCL table with a win tonight

Best Bet: Atalanta ML/BTTS No (+190) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

These two clubs are on opposite sides of the UEFA Champions League table, and Atalanta gets to host today in Bergamo, Italy. They currently sit in eighth place on the standings, which is a crucial spot to be in. Plus, a win today could propel them all the way up to third, or potentially second on the UCL table. Lucky for them, they face Athletic Club who are not having a good year.

Through six UCL matches, the visitors have netted just four goals and allowed nine, and they currently sit in a position where they will not move on. Sure, they could rally and sneak into the knockout round, but it's unlikely looking at their remaining two games. Point being, Atalanta has much more to play for, and Athletic Club might have already lost any motivation.

Athletic Club have suffered shutouts this year to Barcelona (twice), Celta Vigo and Real Madrid in domestic play, and to Paris Saint-Germain in the UCL already. On the road I have very little faith in them scoring at all, and Atalanta should seize this opportunity to earn three fairly easy points at home.

Prediction: Atalanta Wins 2-0 (+675)

Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona UEFA Champions League Picks

Ferran Torres and Barcelona have not played up to standard in the UCL so far - UCL Picks

Ferran Torres and Barcelona have not played up to standard in the UCL so far

Best Bet: Barcelona -1.5 (-117) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Don't overthink this. Barcelona is light years ahead of Slavia Prague, and sure they haven't been playing like it yet in the UCL. Time to turn things around. The hosts have not won a match in the UCL yet this year, with an 0-3-3 record and have allowed 11 goals in their six matches, while only scoring two. This one could get ugly.

Barcelona are No. 15 on the table. Three points today could put them on the cusp of the top eight with one match remaining, so I expect them to be incredibly aggressive in trying to do so. Barcelona have netted 14 goals in their six UCL contests, so clearly scoring shouldn't be an issue. As for their defense, while they've almost allowed two per match, they face the worst offense in this tournament.

With tiebreakers being decided by goal differential, Barcelona has no reason to let their foot off the gas. Even on the road, this offense will do whatever it takes to not only earn three points, but also increase their club's goal differential in order to give them the best chance at breaking into the top eight.

Prediction: Barcelona Wins 5-0 (+2400)

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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