Bet Canada
Champions League Previews Tonight: Qarabağ vs Newcastle, Bodo/Glimt vs Inter, and More Betting Tips (18 Feb 2026)
Key Points
- Tonight’s CL matches are headlined by underdog hosts and favorites as visitors.
- The odds at BetPlays are already live, with a focus on live betting once the matches begin.
- Both teams to score and double chance markets lead the list of standout UCL betting angles tonight.
- Canadian bettors can find full Champions League fixtures and odds live at BetPlays.
The Champions League playoff kicked off last night. It was a wild night which saw some crazy moments, such as Galatasaray thrashing Juventus and the controversy in the Benfica vs Real Madrid match. The Champions League previews tonight look wild as well. It’s a tale of Davids vs Goliaths, with renowned European teams meeting rising stars.
While it does look a bit one-sided on paper, UEFA Champions League predictions are notoriously tricky. The lower-ranked teams such as Club Brugge and Bodo/Glimt have nothing to lose and everything to gain. With all underdogs playing the first UCL knockout matches at home, they will undoubtedly have a 12th player on the field in their fans.
BetPlays’ Champions League odds today are already live as we prepare for kickoff. We’ll cover all Champions League fixtures and odds for tonight’s matches, and recommend a few betting tips today that will help Canadian bettors with accurate predictions.
UEFA Champions League Predictions Tonight -Match Previews
The four matches tonight in the UCL pit favorites away against underdogs. Despite not being as flashy as yesterday, the quartet of matches offers great entertainment and betting opportunities.
Our Champions League previews tonight will cover all matches. We’ll provide some Champions League betting tips today for the matches ahead and expert insights into what might happen.
Qarabağ vs Newcastle United
| When | 18:45 ET |
| Where | Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku |
| Moneyline favorites | Qarabag +676; Newcastle -244 |
Qarabag is one of the surprising names to reach the UCL playoffs this year. No one believed that the Azerbaijani side would reach this stage before the league phase. A strong early run, including a draw against Chelsea in Baku, secured their playoff spot against Newcastle. Qarabag is the underdog, but Newcastle hasn’t been in great form as of late.
- Fact: Qarabag was the third-lowest ranked team to make it out of the league phase. Its two initial wins in the opening rounds essentially secured a spot in the playoffs.
The two teams have never faced each other. Qarabag’s motivation is sky-high, but if it wants to progress, it needs to become the first Azerbaijani club to beat an English side in Europe. Home advantage helps in the first leg, but after a strong UCL match analysis 2026, Newcastle is the clear favorite.
Most UEFA Champions League predictions give Newcastle the odds, but Qarabag will be looking to score. It won’t sit idle and defensive at home, so an early goal for the Azerbaijan team seems likely. Brave Canadian bettors will pick Qarabag for the win, and it could spell great profit if the home team wins.
Newcastle will be looking to put this away for a calmer ride home. Thanks to scoring over 2 goals in two of the last three matches in the UEFA Champions League, a both teams to score prediction isn’t unheard of.
- Best bet: Both teams to score, Newcastle win
Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan
| When | 21:00 ET |
| Where | Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø |
| Moneyline favorites | Bodø +375; Inter -139 |
If there’s one surprise side in the Champions League this year, it has to be Bodø/Glimt. The Norwegian club shocked both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the last two rounds, skyrocketing its way to the playoffs. On the other side we have Inter, a Serie A giant who was at the top spot of the league phase for a long part of the season.
While Inter is a clear favorite away, Bodø/Glimt showed it can upset giants. One problem for the Norwegian team is inactivity. Its domestic campaign ended in November, and the last match the team had was against Atletico Madrid on January 28.
That time it was successful, so despite the underdog status, our UEFA Champions League predictions suggest a tight battle. It will likely be won in midfield before goals are scored. While Inter is the better team on paper, a BTTS tip or a draw after 90 minutes are both good picks.
Bodø’s giant-slayer status isn’t by chance. Kjetil Knutsen’s team are facing a stronger opponent once again, and will be looking for a win and first-time appearance in the UCL last 16. While an Inter win is the likelier choice, the draw and both teams to score is a better sports betting opportunity.
- Best bet: Both teams to score, Inter to win narrowly.
Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
| When | 21:00 ET |
| Where | Jan Breydel Stadion, Brugge |
| Moneyline favorites | Bruge +284; Atletico -101 |
In another battle between Davids and Goliaths, Club Brugge meets Atletico Madrid at home. The Belgian side reaches the UCL playoffs with two wins in the last few rounds. Despite what paper says, our Champions League previews tonight suggest a close match.
Club Brugge dumped out Atalanta at this stage last season. Atletico Madrid is a quality team, but it’s fair to say this season has been a Jekyll and Hyde performance for Diego Simeone’s players. One minute they’re beating Barcelona 4-0 in the Spanish Cup, the next one they’re losing 3-0 away to Rayo Vallecano. This has prompted goalkeeper Jan Oblak to raise concerns about the team, even if Simeone dismissed these claims.
Previously, both teams have met eight times, with two draws and three wins for each side. Most Champions League betting tips today suggest an Atletico double chance as a solid pick. This can be a match where both sides score at least one, so the totals market under 3.5 prominently comes into play.
Bettors who don’t like the moneyline odds can stick to these markets or bet on goalscorers. New Atletico signing Ademola Lookman will be looking for a goal, and he’s been in sublime form since joining weeks ago.
Antoine Griezmann seems to be finding the right form at the right time. Both teams are almost at full strength, with no major players missing. They will be boasting the best sides in what might end up as one of the most exciting Champions League matches tonight.
- Best bet: Both teams to score; under 3.5 goals; Ademola Lookman to score anytime
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
| When | 21:00 ET |
| Where | Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus |
| Moneyline favorites | Olympiacos +147; Bayer Leverkusen +205 |
A solid late run in the Champions League saw Olympiacos booking its spot to the playoffs. It’s a rare occasion for the Athens team, which is looking to write history. It won’t be easy, and comes at a bad time, as the team hasn’t won three matches in a row in the Greek League, slipping from the top spot.
UCL match analysis 2026 shows that Olympiacos is a strong opponent this year. It lost 3-4 to Real Madrid in round 6, then won three times in a row to secure a playoff spot. One of those wins came against tonight’s opponent – Bayer Leverkusen. The match in Athens saw the Greek team win 2-0 comfortable, but the odds are much higher this time around.
Olympiacos is the slight favorite thanks to the past result. Bayer won’t come with its shield and spear down. The German team is looking for book a spot in the latter stages, and qualitatively, it has the better squad.
Draw is a possibility, although Leverkusen will be looking to win and go home with a good result. A goal on both sides is a good pick, as is over 3 goals. Some bettors might go for a Leverkusen Asian handicap, which offers solid odds in the sports betting BetPlays section, but at a higher risk.
It will be a spectacle, pitting the Greek team’s defensive resilience against a strong Bayer attack. Either side can win, but it should be a pretty close match.
- Best bet: Leverkusen to win; both teams to score; no draw
General Betting Tips & Picks
The Champions League betting tips today focus on a smart approach for first-leg betting angles. Risky longshots are not the game. Teams aim to stay disciplined and control the tempo in all of the fixtures, as there’s another leg to play in a week.
Because of this, betting opportunities such as under 3 or 3.5 goals are a decent pick. With all favorites playing away, the double chance market is a strong option, especially in matches where quality depth makes a big difference.
All teams will be looking to score, making the BTTS market an automatic pick. Yesterday’s matches saw two teams keep a clean sheet, which may happen tonight as well. Open tactical battles and attacking mindsets warrant goals on both sides.
If you’re looking for safer play, the draw no bet market is a strong pick for evenly matched clashes.
- Accumulator idea: Newcastle, Inter, and Atletico to cover handicaps.
- Value picks: both teams to score in Bodø/Glimt vs Inter, Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid, and Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Final Thoughts
Tonight’s slate of matches offers almost everything Canadian bettors expect from UEFA Champions League predictions. It’s tension, tactical battles, and elite quality in one spot. With the Champions League knockout stage analysis in full swing at BetPlays Canada, each goal could shape how the ties work out.
Use the latest Champions League fixtures and odds at BetPlays to focus on value rather than hype. Expect drama, discipline, and thin margins. Head to BetPlays before the matches begin, and make your picks right now!