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The UEFA Champions League round of 16 brings us the most thrilling matches of the year. The first leg promises exciting games for the three Spanish teams involved, all facing Premier League opposition.
Plus, the heavyweight showdown between Chelsea and PSG, Bayern’s trip to Atalanta, and Leverkusen’s clash with Arsenal look set to entertain football fans around the world. And just how far can the impressive FK Bodø/Glimt go?
Here are our predictions for the first leg of this fascinating UCL round of 16.
Galatasaray v Liverpool: Wednesday, 4:45am AEDT
The round kicks off with an intriguing encounter between the Ottomans and the English in Istanbul. Galatasaray stunned Juventus with a 5-2 home win in the first leg, but repeating that feat against the English champions will be much tougher.
The Turkish side already beat Slot’s Reds 1-0 at home in the league phase, just as Liverpool were entering their worst run of the season at the end of September. Despite their inconsistent form, Liverpool have been scoring away from home, netting one or two goals in seven of their last nine official away games.
In the Champions League, they managed a 1-0 win at Inter. The hosts have also conceded one or two goals in six of their last seven matches at Rams Park. Based on these stats, we expect Liverpool to score one or two goals.
Tip: Liverpool to score 1 or 2 goals – 1.73 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Liverpool score but do not exceed two goals, regardless of the final result.
Atalanta v Bayern: Wednesday, 7:00am AEDT
After a remarkable comeback against Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta now face Germany’s most feared team and one of the main favourites to win this Champions League, the mighty Bayern Munich.
Italy’s last remaining side in the competition both scored and conceded more than a goal per game in the league phase (10 scored and 10 conceded in eight matches), and also at home (six scored and five conceded in four games).
Because of this record, we expect them to find the net against Bayern, who finished as the second-highest scorers in the league phase (22 goals), but also conceded a goal per game (eight). Atalanta have scored in their last eight official home matches, and the German side have not failed to score in any game this season.
Tip: Both teams to score – 1.50 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both teams score.
Atlético Madrid v Tottenham: Wednesday, 7:00am AEDT
Despite their unexpected slip against Bodø/Glimt, Atlético de Madrid have been reliable at home this season, so we expect them to score.
Nine of their 10 Champions League games this campaign (including all home matches) have featured three or more total goals, a trend also seen in eight of Tottenham Hotspur’s last 11 official games. Spurs have looked better in Europe than in the Premier League, though they’ve struggled defensively.
They averaged over two goals per game in the league phase (17 in eight) and more than a goal per game in the domestic competition (38 in 28).
Tip: Over 2.5 goals – 1.66 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if there are three or more total goals.
Newcastle v Barcelona: Wednesday, 7:00am AEDT
Barça travel to Newcastle as favourites for many, but Newcastle, despite a tough season, are no pushovers. The two sides met in the opening round of the league phase, also in England, with Flick’s team winning 2-1 thanks to a Marcus Rashford brace.
Eight of Newcastle’s 10 Champions League games have seen three or more goals, as have all eight of Barcelona’s league phase matches, and the Catalans have not kept a clean sheet in any of them. So, we expect plenty of goals and action in both boxes.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score – 1.67 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if there are three or more total goals with both teams scoring at least once.
Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal: Thursday, 4:45am AEDT
Arsenal, who topped the league phase with a perfect record, were the highest scorers (24) and conceded the fewest (four) in their eight group games.
Arteta’s side are also fierce travellers, scoring two or more goals in eight of their last 11 official away matches. The Premier League leaders are clear favourites in this tie, and we expect them to continue their winning streak in the first leg of the round of 16.
Tip: Arsenal to win – 1.53 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Arsenal win the match.
Bodø/Glimt v Sporting CP: Thursday, 7:00am AEDT
Bodø/Glimt are looking to continue their remarkable Champions League run after knocking out last year’s finalists, Inter, beating them in both legs.
The Norwegians haven’t lost at home since their match against Juve in November, and have started 2026 strongly, even winning at the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid. Sporting, meanwhile, are no joke and haven’t lost since early January.
The Portuguese side won’t be easy to beat, but the double chance for a home win or draw offers attractive odds.
Tip: FK Bodø/Glimt to win or draw – 1.44 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if FK Bodø/Glimt do not lose.
PSG v Chelsea: Thursday, 7:00am AEDT
The European champions host the world champions in a repeat of the last Club World Cup final, which the Blues won 3-0. This tie looks set to be tough and closely contested.
Five of PSG’s last six home games have seen between two and four total goals, as have four of their five Champions League home matches. For Chelsea, 12 of their last 17 official away games have ended with more than one and fewer than five goals. We expect the match to fall within those numbers.
Tip: The match will have between two and four goals – 1.53 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match has more than one and fewer than five total goals.
Real Madrid v Manchester City: Thursday, 7:00am AEDT
A modern classic of Europe’s top competition. Nine of the last 12 meetings between these two have featured over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring, including the league phase, where City won at the Bernabéu (1-2).
Thirteen of Madrid’s last 19 games have seen three or more goals and both sides scoring, as have three of Guardiola’s last four official away matches.
Both teams are attacking powerhouses, but not in their best defensive form, so goals are expected. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals are good options individually, but combining them looks even better.
Tip: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals – 1.57 @ bet365
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if the match ends with three or more total goals and both teams have scored at least once.
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Odds, valid at the time of publication, may change.