2026 Champions League Knockout Picks: Best Bets First-Leg Matchups (Feb. 18)
Both of my Champions League predictions for Tuesday's action cashed, with Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund securing vital first-leg victories.
Turning to Wednesday's action, I have a pair of bets to offer from the four-match slate, featuring Newcastle and Atletico Madrid. Let's dive straight into it.
🔮 Champions League predictions: Knockout playoffs first leg
Here are my Champions League predictions for the knockout playoffs as part of our soccer picks this week.
| Match | Bet | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs. Benfica | Real Madrid ML ✅ | -110 via BetMGM | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund | Borussia Dortmund ML ✅ | +100 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge | Atletico Madrid ML | -120 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Newcastle vs. Qarabağ FQ | Newcastle ML & Over 2.5 goals | +100 via BetMGM | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🔥 Wednesday Champions League predictions
Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge prediction: Atletico Madrid ML (-120)
Take nothing away from a Club Brugge team that won one, lost one, and tied one at home in the group stage. Their best home result was a 3-3 tie against Barcelona, but it also lost 3-0 to Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid hasn't played to its potential in this competition, even losing a shock decision, 2-1 at home to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. However, I expect Diego Simeone's team to rebound well and enjoy a business-like performance against a team that has substantially less experience. I'd play this bet to -130, and it's my best Champions League bet this week.
⁉️ A different take!?
If I haven't convinced you, and you think the home side might get the job done, Andrew Reid's Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid parlay and predictions might be of interest.
Newcastle vs. Qarabağ FQ prediction: Newcastle & Over 2.5 goals (+100)
Newcastle will consider itself lucky to draw Qarabağ. The Azerbaijan side finished 22nd in the group stage, tied with three other teams on 10 points.
While Qarabağ played well at home, winning one, losing one, and drawing one, Newcastle should be able to secure the victory, especially after its impressive draw against PSG in Paris on Matchday 8.
All three Qarabağ home matches had at least four goals, making the second part of this combo bet an ideal addition.
🔢 Champions League odds: Knockout playoffs leg 1
Live Champions League odds; updated in real time.
Newcastle vs. Qarabağ FQ odds: Wednesday, 12:45 p.m. ET
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Kickoff: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Azersun Arena and Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium (Baku, Azerbaijan)
- How to watch: Paramount+
Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium (Piraeus, Greece)
- How to watch: Paramount+
🔮 Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos prediction
💡 Under 2.5 goals (-106)
"These teams last met on Jan. 21, when Olympiacos won 2-0. Two of Olympiacos' previous three Champions League matches had two goals or fewer, while the Under cashed in the last three Leverkusen away matches in the competition."
Read more of my Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos prediction for today's match.
Inter Milan vs. Bodo/Glimt odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Aspmyra Stadion (Bodø, Norway)
- How to watch: Paramount+
Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge odds: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Jan Breydel Stadium (Bruges, Belgium)
- How to watch: Paramount+
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