We're onto the knockout stage of this year's UEFA Champions League campaign. 24 teams punched a ticket to the next round, and the upcoming games feature the clubs ranked ninth through 24th battling it out for a spot in the final 16. Teams who finished first through eighth have a bye into the Round of 16.
I've got you covered from a sports betting angle for the midweek action on the European stage. Here are my top bets for the Champions League this week.
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Champions League Knockout Phase Playoffs Preview & Best Bets (2026)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dortmund (+110) vs. Atalanta (+230), DRAW (+255) | O/U 2.5 (-135/+105)
Tuesday's four-game schedule features a fun mid-table matchup between Dortmund (3-2-3) and Atalanta (4-1-3). The teams finished the League Phase ranked 17th and 15th, respectively. Kick-off is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET from Signal Iduna Park in Aue, Germany.
I'll back Borussia Dortmund to exit the aggregate's first leg with a lead. A +110 payout on the BVB moneyline at home is simply too good to pass up. In the German Bundesliga this season, Dortmund is an unbeaten 9-2-0 at home this season. During UCL play, Die Borussen went a solid 2-1-1 with a +5 goal differential (10:5).
Meanwhile, Atalanta posted a 2-0-2 road record during the League Phase this year. They haven't been overpowering on the road in Serie A play this year either, going just 4-5-3. Ultimately, I don't believe that the Italian side has the offensive firepower to keep pace in this away contest. They managed only 10 goals during the eight-match opening round, while also averaging just 1.4 goals per match in Serie A action. Atalanta may score once, but I don't think they'll secure a second goal that'll likely be needed to depart Germany with a result. I'll take Dortmund, and I'll predict a 2-1 finish in their favor.
Pick: Dortmund Moneyline (+110)
FK Qarabag (+600) vs. Newcastle (-245), DRAW (+400) | O/U 2.5 (-160/+125)
Wednesday's four-match slate opens up with a standalone game in Azerbaijan. FK Qarabag (3-1-4), who finished 22nd in the League Phase, will host 12th-place Newcastle (4-2-2). This match gets underway at 12:45 p.m. ET from Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Realistically, there's no chance that the Azerbaijani squad pulls off a miracle and advances to the Round of 16. The oddsmakers agree, pricing Qarabag at +1000 to out-score Newcastle (-3000) across two legs and advance to the next round.
With that being said, I do expect to see Qarabag make the first leg interesting at home. I think the Horsemen can keep it within a goal, or potentially even secure a draw. From Newcastle's perspective, they really only need to leave Baku with a draw, before returning home next week to lay it on their opponent.
Newcastle has been far from sound defensively in road affairs recently. They have only two road clean sheets in their last 16 Champions League affairs. During this year's League Phase, the Magpies went 1-2-1, allowing five goals. Qarabag went 2-1-1 at home and managed nine goals offensively. They've scored at least two goals in six straight home matches on the continental stage. We could be looking at a letdown performance for the visitors in this one. Let's back the underdogs on the spread Wednesday.
Pick: Qarabag +1.25 (-120)
Bodo Glint (+340) vs. Inter Milan (-135), DRAW (+310) | O/U 3.5 (+130/-165)
Inter Milan put on another solid showing in this year's League Phase, going 5-0-3 and earning the 10th spot in the table. This performance books them a trip to Norway on Wednesday, where they'll square off against Bodo Glint (2-3-3), who placed 23rd in the opening round. Kick-off is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from Aspmyra Stadion in Bodo/Glimt, Norway.
Unlike Newcastle, I don't think we'll see Internazionale slip up in their road match this week. They're just too polished defensively, and I have no doubts that they'll put the clamps on this inferior Norwegian opponent Wednesday. Inter finished the League Phase ranked second in goals against (7), where only England's Arsenal (4) was better.
In terms of overall form, Inter Milan is absolutely rolling right now. They've won six consecutive matches in all competitions, out-scoring the opposition 20-5 during the stretch. They also sit atop the Serie A standings at 20-1-4 this season, speaking to their well-roundedness in 2025-26. Bodo Glint should put up a decent fight at home, but they're simply not in the same echelon as their Italian opponent. I expect to see Inter sneak out of Norway with victory, somewhere in the 2-0 or 2-1 range.
Pick: Inter Milan Moneyline (-135)
