We are entering the final stretch. The first legs of the Champions League playoffs will be played between Tuesday and Wednesday, setting the stage for some thrilling battles.
On the schedule: 7 exciting clashes, including highly anticipated fixtures such as Club Brugge’s trip to Glasgow Rangers and the heavyweight showdown between Fenerbahçe and Benfica.
Check out our bet predictions for some of these first-leg encounters in the race for Champions League qualification, along with the latest football betting odds. You can also watch your favourite major sporting events live with betFIRST TV!
Champions League 2025/26 – Our Playoff Predictions
*All odds are subject to change
Glasgow Rangers to beat Club Brugge @ 2.75
Rangers have rarely disappointed when playing at home in European competitions. With the electric atmosphere at Ibrox, the Scottish side knows how to raise their level and put huge pressure on visiting teams. Brugge, strong in the Jupiler Pro League, will face a tough challenge against a team that refuses to give up in front of their fans. The 2.75 odds reflect the uncertainty of this match, but betting on a Rangers win seems like a solid option given the atmosphere and their experience on big European nights.
Bodo/Glimt to beat Sturm Graz @ 1.68
The Norwegians head into this tie with excellent attacking momentum. Already sitting top of their domestic league, they have been scoring goals for fun and have an attack capable of striking at any moment. Their advantage also comes from being in competitive action for several months now, unlike their Austrian opponents, who have only just kicked off their season. Against a Sturm Graz side that is solid but sometimes shaky defensively away from home, Bodo/Glimt look like strong favorites to claim victory on their own turf.
Draw between Fenerbahçe and Benfica @ 3.75
This is arguably the most eagerly awaited match of the round, as two European giants battle for a Champions League spot. José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe will rely on the passionate support of their home fans to gain an advantage in this first leg, just as they did in the previous round with an emphatic 5-2 win over Feyenoord. On the other hand, Benfica arrive in Turkey full of confidence. The Portuguese side brushed aside OGC Nice with ease in the third qualifying round and once again showed why they belong in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Expect a tight contest, where both teams will trade blows from start to finish.
FC Basel vs FC Copenhagen – Both Teams to Score @ 1.83
In their last three matches, Basel have scored 7 goals while Copenhagen have netted 10 – a promising record that suggests plenty of action ahead. Basel can count on a rejuvenated Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been in top form since returning to the club, while Copenhagen proved in the previous round that they can punish any mistake. Both sides love to attack quickly and boast players capable of making the difference at any moment. Under these conditions, a scenario where both teams find the back of the net looks highly likely.
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