Champions League 2025/26 Playoffs: Check out the matches that will decide the teams joining the Round of 16!
Eight teams are competing for the remaining spots in this season’s Champions League Round of 16 in thrilling playoff clashes.
The 2025/26 Champions League has reached the knockout stage. But before the actual Round of 16 begins, the playoffs take place to determine the eight teams that will complete the final 16. And while the ball is rolling on the pitch, fans can also place their picks with Sports Betting.
This stage also features two-legged ties, with 16 teams battling for eight spots. They will join the sides that qualified directly for the Round of 16 during the league phase: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester City. Nearly all English clubs secured direct qualification, with only Newcastle heading to the playoffs.
Check out the details of each match below. In addition to reviewing how the teams performed to reach this stage, you will also find out when and where the first leg takes place, where to watch the 2025/26 Champions League, and how to bet on the competition here at Blaze.
Galatasaray vs Juventus
With 10 points, Galatasaray finished 20th in the league phase. The team won three matches, drew one and lost four, ending up just one point above the first team outside the playoff qualification zone.
Juventus, on the other hand, collected 13 points and finished the first phase in 13th place. With three wins, four draws and only one defeat, the Italians were three points away from direct qualification to the Round of 16.
Date and Time
February 17, at 2:45 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Ali Sami Yen, Istanbul, Turkey
Latest Matches
Monaco 0x0 Juventus
Manchester City 2x0 Galatasaray
Head-to-Head Record
In official competitions, Galatasaray and Juventus have faced each other six times. Juve won only once, while the Turkish side claimed two victories. The teams drew three times.
Predictions
Despite the historical record suggesting otherwise, Juventus are favored to win the first leg and to qualify. The Old Lady has odds of 2.06 in the 1x2 market — where 1 represents the home team, X the draw and 2 the away side — and 1.31 to secure qualification.
On the other side, Galatasaray is priced at 3.35 to win at home and 3.3 to advance. The draw in this first leg is listed at 3.5.
Bet on Galatasaray vs Juventus at Blaze!
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund finished five points behind the top eight. The Germans earned 11 points in the first phase, winning three matches, drawing two and losing three, placing 17th overall.
Just above them, Atalanta finished 15th. The Italians reached 13 points by winning half of their matches, drawing one and losing three during the 2025/26 Champions League league phase.
Date and Time
February 17, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
BVB Stadion, Dortmund
Latest Matches
Borussia Dortmund 0x2 Internazionale
Union Saint-Gilloise 1x0 Atalanta
Head-to-Head Record
Dortmund and Atalanta previously met only in the 2017/18 Europa League Round of 32. On that occasion, the Germans advanced after a draw and a black-and-yellow victory.
Predictions
This is expected to be the most balanced matchup of the Champions League playoffs, as both teams have odds of 1.88 to qualify for the next round. However, looking solely at the first leg, Dortmund are favorites at home with 2.08, compared to 3.3 for Atalanta and 3.5 for the draw.
Bet on Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta at Blaze!
Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain
The all-French clash in the Champions League playoffs sees reigning champions PSG fighting for a Round of 16 spot against Monaco. Luis Enrique’s side finished 11th with 14 points. With four wins and two draws, their two defeats cost them direct qualification.
The principality club, meanwhile, finished lower in 21st place. With 10 points, Monaco drew half of their matches and recorded two wins and two losses.
Date and Time
February 17, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Louis II, Monaco
Latest Matches
Monaco 0x0 Juventus
Paris Saint-Germain 1x1 Newcastle
Head-to-Head Record
Since they compete in the same domestic league, Monaco and PSG have faced each other frequently at this stage. Their first official meeting was in 1971 in Ligue 1. In total, there have been 115 matches between the sides, with Monaco holding the edge: 49 wins compared to 37 for the Paris club and 29 draws.
Predictions
Although Monaco lead the historical head-to-head, PSG have been the stronger side for quite some time and are expected to maintain that edge in these playoffs, with the Parisians priced at 1.53 to win the match and 1.09 to reach the Round of 16.
Monaco are listed at 5.6 to win at home, with even tougher qualification odds at 6.8. The draw in the first leg is priced at 4.4.
Bet on Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain at Blaze!
Benfica vs Real Madrid
The Iberian clash returns in the 2025/26 Champions League. The two peninsula sides faced each other in the final round of the league phase, with Benfica coming out on top. As a result, the Portuguese side secured the last playoff spot, finishing 24th with nine points after winning three matches and losing five.
Real Madrid, a regular presence in the knockout rounds, ended up needing the playoffs this time. A costly defeat left them with 15 points, one short of direct qualification, as they finished 9th. They recorded five wins and three losses.
Date and Time
February 17, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
Latest Match
Benfica 4x2 Real Madrid
Head-to-Head Record
Only four official matches have been played between Benfica and Real Madrid, all in the Champions League. The first was the 1961/62 final, won by Benfica.
Later, in the 1964/65 quarterfinals, each team won one match, but Benfica advanced on aggregate. The most recent meeting was the late-January clash that sealed the Portuguese side’s third win in four games against Los Blancos.
Predictions
Despite having Real Madrid as a favorable opponent historically, Benfica are considered underdogs. In the match at the Luz, the home side is priced at 3.7 to win, compared to 1.87 for the visitors and 3.85 for the draw. The Merengues are also favored to qualify, with odds of 1.19, compared to 4.5 for the Portuguese side.
Bet on Benfica vs Real Madrid at Blaze!
Qarabağ vs Newcastle
Finishing the league phase in 22nd place, Qarabağ collected 10 points. The Azerbaijani representative won three matches and drew one, losing the other half of their games.
Newcastle, the only English team not to qualify directly for the Round of 16, finished 12th. The Magpies won four matches and had the same number of draws and losses — two each — reaching 14 points.
Date and Time
February 18, at 2:45 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Tofiq Bahramov, Baku
Latest Matches
Paris Saint-Germain 1x1 Newcastle
Liverpool 6x0 Qarabağ
Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first official meeting between the two teams.
Predictions
The Azerbaijani side is expected to bow out in the playoffs. The odds strongly favor Newcastle, priced at 1.03 to qualify, compared to 11.0 for Qarabağ. In the 1x2 market for the first leg, the home side is at 6.8, the draw at 4.7, and an English victory at 1.41.
Bet on Qarabağ vs Newcastle at Blaze!
Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen finished the 2025/26 Champions League league phase very close to each other. The Greeks placed 18th, while the Germans ended in 26th.
Olympiacos earned 11 points from three wins, two draws and three losses. Bayer, in turn, finished with 12 points, drawing and winning three matches each, and losing two.
Date and Time
February 18, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Georgios Karaiskakis, Piraeus
Latest Matches
Bayer Leverkusen 3x0 Villarreal
Ajax 1x2 Olympiacos
Head-to-Head Record
Three matches have already been played between Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen. The first two were in the 2002/03 Champions League. The Greeks won the first match 6x2, while the Germans took the second group-stage game 2x0. The teams met again in January 2026 in the current edition’s first phase, with another victory for the Greek side.
Predictions
At home, the Greeks are strong. The odds point to an Olympiacos win at 2.34. The draw is priced at 3.3, while a Bayer Leverkusen victory stands at 3.05. However, qualification odds favor the Germans, with 1.65 compared to 2.2 for the Greeks.
Bet on Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen at Blaze!
Bodø/Glimt vs Internazionale
Bodø/Glimt were among the last teams to secure a playoff spot. The Norwegians collected nine points with two wins, three draws and three losses, finishing in a risky 23rd place.
Internazionale, on the other hand, came close to direct qualification. The team earned 15 points, one fewer than Manchester City, the last side to qualify automatically, finishing 10th. The Italians recorded five wins and three defeats.
Date and Time
February 18, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Aspmyra, Bodø
Latest Matches
Atlético de Madrid 1x2 Bodø/Glimt
Borussia Dortmund 0x2 Internazionale
Head-to-Head Record
It has been nearly 50 years since the last meeting between Bodø/Glimt and Internazionale. The teams faced each other in the 1978/79 European Cup Winners’ Cup, with Inter winning both matches.
Predictions
With greater continental tradition, Inter are heavy favorites, with odds of 1.68 to win the match and 1.15 to qualify. Bodø/Glimt are priced at 4.5 to win at home and 5.2 to advance. The draw in the first leg is listed at 4.1.
Bet on Bodø/Glimt vs Internazionale at Blaze!
Brugge vs Atlético de Madrid
Brugge host Atlético de Madrid at home to decide who will claim one of the Round of 16 spots, as both sides fell short of direct qualification — although Brugge were further away.
The Belgian side finished the first phase in 19th place with 10 points, from three wins, one draw and four defeats. Atlético de Madrid came closer, collecting 13 points in 14th position. Atleti won half of their matches but recorded one draw and suffered three losses.
Date and Time
February 18, at 5 PM (Brasília time)
Venue
Jan Breydel, Bruges
Latest Matches
Club Brugge 3x0 Olympique de Marseille
Atlético de Madrid 1x2 Bodø/Glimt
Head-to-Head Record
Since 1977, Brugge and Atlético de Madrid have faced each other eight times in continental competitions. Each side has three wins, along with two draws, highlighting how balanced this matchup has been.
Predictions
Atlético de Madrid are favorites to win the match, priced at 1.91 in the 1x2 market, compared to 3.7 for Brugge and the same 3.7 for the draw. In terms of qualification, the Spaniards stand at 1.21, while the Belgians are listed at 4.3.
Bet on Brugge vs Atlético de Madrid at Blaze!
Where to Watch the First Legs of the 2025/26 Champions League Playoffs
Brazilian fans can follow this season’s Champions League matches on SBT (free-to-air TV), TNT Sports (cable channels), and the HBO Max streaming platform.
Bet Responsibly on the 2025/26 Champions League at Blaze!
Ready to bet on the Champions League playoffs? Bring Responsible Gaming onto your team. It ensures entertainment without headaches. When you gamble responsibly, you understand that betting is a form of entertainment — never an investment or a source of income.
Betting can pose risks to mental health and may lead to addiction. If you feel you cannot stop, seek help. In addition, only use money allocated for leisure, never wagering funds that could impact your financial or personal life.
It is important to study before placing bets. To do so, check out our Sports Betting Encyclopedia. The activity is regulated in Brazil under Ordinance MESP No. 125, dated December 30, 2024.
Now you’re all set to bet on the 2025/26 Champions League here at Blaze!