Champions League Playoff Predictions 2025-26: Tonight’s Knockout Drama

The Champions League league phase is over, and we’re finally reached the point of no return. After a wild last round, the order of teams was shaken up a lot. The playoffs feature some of the top contenders such as Real Madrid, who, interestingly enough, will be facing the team that pushed them down the table – Benfica.

Tonight’s Champions League playoff predictions are all about being cautious. Unlike the league phase, there is a return leg from now on. This means that home crowds will be a major factor as always in a two-legged tie strategy. We’ll preview the top matches and UCL playoff first leg odds on the European knockout stage below.

Tonight’s Champions League Match Previews & Betting Odds

The Champions League playoffs begin tonight with four exciting matches in Turkiye, Portugal, France, and Germany. There are some big names on the list who haven’t been so lucky for automatic qualification.

With two-leg ties, the first match sets the tone for the return date. Teams will have their work cut out for them, especially in high-profile clashes such as Real Madrid vs Benfica and the French derby between PSG and Monaco.

Galatasaray vs Juventus: A Turkish Cauldron Awaits

Galatasaray plays Serie A juggernaut Juventus in an interesting match that can go either way. The UCL playoff first leg odds suggest a win for Juventus, but this will be a far closer match than expected.

Galata enters the match backed up by strong domestic form. It has won four in a row, scoring at least three goals in each of these matches. Since Buruk Okan’s team is comfortable at the top of the Turkish league, it can shift its attention to the Champions League. With its roaring home crowd acting as a wind in the players’ backs, it enters the match in a strong position.

• Fun fact: Juventus has kept a clean sheet in its last three Champions League matches.

Most Champions League betting tips put Juventus in the driving seat. It’s clear why. Juve is constantly getting European action, and has far more experience than Galatasaray. In short, it knows how to play in these ties, even if it crashed out at the same stage last year to PSV.

Now comes the interesting part. Galatasaray has lost just one of the six previous meetings against Juve in the Champions League. In addition to bolstering a strong attack that includes Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi, history works in Galata’s favor, and that might spell another win on its home ground.

Given Galata’s strong record against Juventus and Italian teams in general, the best bet is a victory for the Turkish giants at home.

• Expert prediction: Galatasaray win. It may be narrow, but the Turkish giants are always fiery at home, and will be looking for a rare appearance in the latter stages of the UCL.

Benfica vs Real Madrid: Revenge in Lisbon?

The Real Madrid vs Benfica betting angle becomes a lot more interesting if we go back to the last round of the league phase. Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the 98^th minute for a 4-2 win to secure playoff qualification against Los Blancos. It also pushed Real Madrid to the knockout round, so there’s a score to settle in Lisbon.

This time, Real comes in blistering form and is fully healthy, which means Kylian Mbappe is back in the squad. Real rarely loses two in a row against the same opponent in Europe. It should be itching to set the record straight, so our Champions League playoff predictions for tonight point to a win for the hosts.

Benfica won’t back down from a challenge. It has eight wins in the last 11 two-leg European ties. They also have Jose Mourinho on the bench, a manager who knows Real Madrid pretty well. Despite the domestic struggles, the team can be a challenge in Madrid.

The UCL playoff first leg odds are in favor of Los Blancos. Despite playing away and the last match in Lisbon, Real is a favorite. Benfica offers much better odds from a betting perspective. Canadian bettors who don’t want to take that risk should look at the BTTS market, or back Real Madrid to score first. Mbappe is almost a lock for a goal, with Vini Jr. in the mix as well.

• Expert prediction: A Real away win with goals on both sides. Real Madrid simply can’t let another embarrassing result after round 8.

AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain: All-French UCL Clash

A rare all-French affair is on the line for the knockout UCL 2025/26 fixtures. It’s Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain in a two-leg tie that will leave one French team in the last eight.

Current UCL champion Paris Saint-Germain has hit a few bumps on the road domestically, and fallen out of the top eight in Europe. It’s a major favorite against a struggling Monaco who plays the first leg at home. There’s quite a lot of pressure for Luis Enrique’s side, who just suffered a 3-1 domestic defeat against Rennes.

Monaco won against PSG at home in November in Ligue 1. Last year, PSG was entangled in another all-French affair in the same stage, thrashing Brest with a total of 10-0 across two legs.

There’s not a lot of profit in PSG as a moneyline favorite, so bettors from Canada should look at other markets in the sports betting BetPlays section. Totals over three and four goals are properly priced, as are players to score.

Folarin Balogun will be looking to break his goal-drought spell. Ousmane Dembele is the safest pick for PSG, in a match that will most likely see both teams score per our Champions League playoff predictions.

• Expert prediction: A PSG win. Monaco will go for the goal and might score, but the reigning CL champions are too good for Monaco.

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: Goals on the Menu at Signal Iduna Park

Home advantage in the first leg in the UCL is always a big thing. That goes double for teams such as Borussia Dortmund, with fans that can set Signal Iduna Park on fire.

Borussia is one of the most interesting clubs to watch in the CL. It always goes out attacking, so most Champions League betting tips will suggest a lot of goals. It helps that Atalanta is visiting Signal Iduna Park, another team with an offensive mindset.

Tonight’s Champions League match previews highlight this match as one of the highest-scoring ones. The UCL playoff first legs odds are in favor of the host, but Atalanta provides more value. But bettors should look beyond moneylines in this match. Totals over three and four goals provide better value at BetPlays Canada, which bettors should look at especially with parlays.

The Bundesliga team is almost a lock to score. Serhou Guirassy is expected to add to his tally, as is Julian Ryerson. Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic enters the match in good form, having eight goal contributions in his last ten matches.

• Expert prediction: Goals on both sides. Both teams play offensively and will be looking to score early and get the lead, possibly building up on it later.

Champions League Betting Tips

Betting on the Champions League takes a different mindset and approach. High-stakes first-leg UCL playoff matches are always tough to predict, as teams prioritize tactics and avoiding a loss. The double chance market becomes a smart investment. Moneyline favorites either don’t offer a lot of value, or are simply too close to call.

Bettors should always focus on Champions League betting tips that look into away-goal psychology, defensive setups, and draws. Sometimes, teams are aiming for a draw rather than a win, especially visitors in fiery arenas.

Ready to back up your favorites tonight? Check out the latest live betting odds at BetPlays once the matches get going.

Looking Ahead to Wednesday

Tonight’s matches are only the beginning. Four more games are on the menu tomorrow, with Newcastle, Inter, and Atletico Madrid all in action. Tonight’s Champions League playoff predictions come first, led by the Real Madrid vs Benfica betting angle in our analysis and more for the other matches.

We’re all excited to see how tonight’s matches play out and what tomorrow has in store. Check out the best UCL betting odds at BetPlays and make your picks right now.