UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoffs: Soccer Picks, Predictions and Best Bets
The UEFA Champions League playoff phase is halfway complete, but we still have the second leg in eight different matchups this week to look forward to. While Juventus and Qarabag FK have three and five-goal deficits to climb back from, six of the eight opening legs were decided by two goals or less, and there is still plenty of action set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I’ve scoured through the entire slate and have three bets that I absolutely love.
Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of Champions League match odds and Champions League futures.
Bodo Glimt vs. Inter Milan best bet: Inter -1.5 (-165)
My best bet for the UCL knockout playoff phase is for Inter Milan to win by two goals or more when they welcome Norwegian side Bodo Glimt to the San Siro this Tuesday. Bodo Glimt has been a great story this season, as they’re the first club in the Arctic Circle to make the knockout phase of the Champions League, but I expect their good fortune to run out when they travel south to Milan. Inter suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg and will need to win by at least two goals to force extra time and secure qualification for the Round of 16. Although this is a tall task, they’ve been an absolute force in front of their home fans, especially in the Champions League.
Inter is 14-1-4 at home in all competitions this season, and nine of their 14 wins have come by two goals or more. Although they fell to Arsenal and Liverpool at home in the Champions League, they took care of business against Slavia Prague and FC Kairat, and I expect them to replicate this success against Bodo Glimt. Back Inter to win by 2+ goals on Tuesday.
Real Madrid vs. Benfica prediction: Real Madrid ML and Under 4.5 (-110)
Real Madrid and Benfica had the most storylines entering the knockout stage, as they played in the final group stage game, and the Portuguese side qualified when their goalie scored in extra time. Additionally, former Madrid manager José Mourinho is in charge of Benfica, and although he set up his side well in the opening game, Vinícius Júnior scored a curler, and Madrid held on for a 1-0 victory. However, the match produced more storylines, as Vinícius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse, which prompted an investigation from UEFA.
After the heated first leg, I expect Madrid to come out firing in this one after winning seven of their last nine matches across all competitions. Not only that, but their defence has been elite, posting a shutout in four of those seven victories. Additionally, 14 of Madrid’s last 20 victories have finished with four goals or fewer. I expect these trends will continue and foresee Madrid taking care of business with a 3-0 victory.
Serhou Guirassy to score (+160) in Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
My favourite player prop for the UCL knockout playoff phase is for Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy to find the back of the net against Atalanta. Dortmund secured a 2-0 win in the first leg, and Guirassy recorded a goal and an assist. The Dortmund striker now has six goals in his last four matches and has clearly found his form after a spell where he had just one goal in 12 matches. Although Dortmund doesn’t need to be too aggressive with a two-goal cushion, all it takes is one counterattack, and Guirassy can punish the Italian side.