UEFA Champions League Playoff Round 1st Leg Tips & Predictions

With the top eight sides in the Champions League having booked their respective places in the last 16, the remaining sides that finished between 9^th and 24^th in the regular table battle it out here, over two legs.

The new UCL format over the past couple of seasons has promoted plenty of conjecture but this return to a more familiar, two-legged knockout tie, is sure to be one for the purists.

A place in the last 16 of the Champions League beckons and behemoths such as PSG, Real Madrid and Inter Milan have work to do here, in order to ensure that they are in the competition for the long haul.

Here are our Champions League tips for the play-off round, first leg fixtures in the 2025/26:

2025/26 UEFA Champions League Play Off Round, 1st Leg Predictions

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Galatasaray vs Juventus

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $3.50

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Galatasaray ($3.50)

Juventus ($2.20)

Draw ($3.50)

Both Galatasaray and Juventus endured mixed Champions League campaigns, but they get the chance to progress to the last 16 here. The Turkish giants are always tough to beat in Istanbul and Juve may settle for a point and look to get the job done back in Turin next week.

1-1 Draw

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Benfica vs Real Madrid

Betting Tip: Real Madrid to win the match @ $2.00

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Benfica ($3.90)

Real Madrid ($2.00)

Draw ($3.60)

Following an incredible encounter between these two sides on match day eight, these two great rivals meet once again. Benfica broke Madrid hearts in the league stage, scoring a last-minute winner to qualify for the play-off rounds, forcing Real to have to play this extra game. That should serve as extra motivation for Real, who will be desperate to get the job done in this one.

Real Madrid to win 2-1

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Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

Betting Tip: Borussia Dortmund to win the match @ $2.05

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Borussia Dortmund ($2.05)

Atalanta ($3.75)

Draw ($3.75)

A pair of sides that are mercurial in the Champions League meet here, as Borussia Dortmund take on Atalanta. Both sides have plenty of goals in their ranks, but Atalanta have lost a few key players this term and Dortmund should see them off at home.

Borussia Dortmund to win 2-1

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Monaco vs PSG

Betting Tip: PSG to win the match @ $1.60

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Monaco ($6.10)

PSG ($1.60)

Draw ($4.50)

Two sides that know plenty about each other meet here, as Ligue 1 giants Monaco and PSG do battle. It has been a curious campaign for Monaco, who’ve taken some points off big teams, but PSG tend to have their number domestically and they should pick up an important win here.

PSG to win 3-1

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FK Qarabag vs Newcastle United

Betting Tip: Newcastle United to win the match @ $1.44

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FK Qarabag ($8.00)

Newcastle United ($1.44)

Draw ($5.00)

Newcastle United were one of a bunch of sides that only just missed out on cracking the top eight and they now face an awkward looking two-legged tie against FK Qarabag. The travel to Azerbaijan won’t be easy for Toon but they should get the job done here and take a lead back to Newcastle with them next week.

Newcastle United to win 2-1

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Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

Betting Tip: The match to finish as a draw @ $4.20

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Bodo/Glimt ($5.00)

Inter Milan ($1.70)

Draw ($4.20)

Heading to Norway and to the Arctic circle has put pay to plenty of sides this season and Inter Milan will be the next team to take on the test of travelling to Bodo/Glimt. The hosts will be bang up for it and will rattle into last year’s runners up but Inter could escape with a draw and take this back to the San Siro.

1-1 Draw

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Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Betting Tip: Atletico Madrid to win the match @ $1.55

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Club Brugge ($3.90)

Atletico Madrid ($1.55)

Draw ($3.50)

Recent form in both the Champions League and La Liga has been excellent for Atletico Madrid, and they should be full of confidence ahead of this one against Club Brugge. The Belgians won’t back down in this two-legged tie, but Atletico should get this done on the road.

Atletico Madrid to win 2-1

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Olympiakos vs Bayer Leverkusen

Betting Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win the match @ $2.88

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Olympiakos ($2.55)

Bayer Leverkusen ($2.88)

Draw ($3.40)

Another pair of sides that have endured highs and lows throughout their respective Champions League campaigns meet here, as Olympiakos and Bayer Leverkusen clash in Athens. The Greek side will make this tough, but Leverkusen have picked up some big wins on the road, and they should prevail in this one.

Bayer Leverkusen to win 2-1

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2025/26 Champions League Play Off, 1st Leg multi bet

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We’re backing four results on MD8, as an accumulator with a betting stake of $50:

Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta – Borussia Dortmund
Olympiakos vs Bayer Leverkusen – Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco vs PSG – PSG
Benfica vs Real Madrid – Real Madrid

PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid & Bayer Leverkusen @ $9.50

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Sports Writer

Sam Hayes

Combining his sports coaching career with freelance journalism, Sam is a sports betting writer for various online publications.

He is looking to develop both his respective coaching and writing careers, whilst incorporating his other huge passion - travelling the world.

Sam currently lives and works in Milan, Italy and playing/following/writing about cricket, football (soccer), tennis, formula 1 and golf continue to take up much of his spare time.