⚽ 2026 Champions League Knockout Best Bets, Odds: UCL Playoff Second-Leg Expert Picks

My Champions League predictions for this week's knockout playoffs second leg feature three of Europe's biggest teams: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and PSG. 

Real Madrid and PSG have the advantage in their aggregates, while Inter Milan has a ton of work to do without the injured Lautaro Martínez. I'm also headlining Bayer Leverkusen after its impressive road win over Olympiacos in the first leg. Last week, I was successful on three of four predictions.  

🔮 Champions League predictions: Knockout playoffs second leg

Here are my Champions League predictions for the knockout playoffs as part of our soccer picks this week.

Total wagered: 5 units | Max profit: 4.13 units

🔥 Champions League predictions knockout playoffs leg 2 

Inter Milan vs. Bodo/Glimt prediction: Inter Milan -2 (+138) 

Bodo/Glimt shocked Inter Milan 3-1 at home in the first leg, and I expect a greater opposite reaction from the Italian giants at San Siro, even without injured star Martínez. 

With their Champions League lives at stake, Inter Milan will toss absolutely everything at Bodo/Glimt. Inter Milan has the best home record in Serie A, having won 10 of 13 matches.

I'm not taking anything away from Bodo/Glimt, which beat Atletico Madrid on the road in the group stage, but San Siro in the knockout phase offers an altogether different challenge. 

I'd play this bet to +130. 

Real Madrid vs. Benfica prediction: Real Madrid & Over 2.5 goals (-110) 

Thanks to an incident that blew up the internet in the first leg, this is going to be the most explosive match of the week. Real Madrid, among the Champions League odds contenders, is angry, focused on making Benfica pay after Gianluca Prestianni allegedly made racist remarks toward Vinicius Junior. 

Suffice it to say, Real Madrid is on the warpath, an ominous prospect for traveling Benfica. The Bernabéu provides a hostile environment in the best of circumstances, which this clearly is not.

Expect a giant performance from Real Madrid as it looks to make a statement entering the Round of 16. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos prediction: Bayer Leverkusen ML (-125) 

Leverkusen has won four straight at home and five of the previous six. The German side tossed the monkey off its back in the first leg, winning in Greece for the first time in 33 years.

That should provide the platform and the pre-requisite confidence for Leverkusen to sweep the series and secure the victory. Olympiacos won its last two road matches in the competition, but lost the previous two by a combined 8-1.

I'd play this bet to -130. 

PSG vs. Monaco prediction: Under 3.5 goals (+104) 

I hope you enjoyed last week's 3-2 thriller in Monaco, as I expect an entirely different encounter on Wednesday. PSG will want to lock it down at Parc des Princes, and it should do precisely that while possessing the ball for large stretches. 

PSG allowed one goal in its previous four home matches, and Monaco bagged just one in the last four in enemy environments. PSG is also returning to health, which should help on the defensive side of the ball. 

I love the plus-money odds on this bet, and I'd play it to -110.

💡 How I'm betting Champions League playoffs leg 2

I've placed greater emphasis on backing home teams in the second leg. Real Madrid and Inter Milan are two of Europe's best on their home patch, and the former has the added incentive of being irate with Benfica.

I believe those aspects create a perfect storm for Álvaro Arbeloa and his side.

Inter Milan rarely goes quietly into the Champions League night, especially against a perceived inferior opponent. That motivation and unique circumstance of losing the first leg are why I devoted a full unit to the bet. 

PSG is excellent at home, too, and it will not want to get involved in another high-scoring affair. Its increased possession will ensure that doesn't happen. Each unit represents a $10 bet. 

🔢 Champions League odds: Knockout playoffs leg 2 

Live Champions League odds; updated in real time.

Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge odds: Tuesday, 12:45 p.m. ET

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Kickoff: 12:45 p.m. ET
• Location: Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium (Madrid, Spain)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Newcastle vs. Qarabag FK odds: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: St James' Park (Newcastle, England)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos odds: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: BayArena (Leverkusen, Germany)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Inter Milan vs. Bodo/Glimt odds: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: San Siro (Milan, Italy)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund odds: Wednesday, 12:45 p.m. ET

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Kickoff: 12:45 p.m. ET
• Location: New Balance Arena (Bergamo, Italy)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Juventus vs. Galatasaray odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Allianz Stadium (Turin, Italy)
• How to watch: Paramount+

PSG vs. Monaco odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Parcs des Princes (Paris)
• How to watch: Paramount+

Real Madrid vs. Benfica odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Bernabéu (Madrid, Spain)
• How to watch: Paramount+