The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs begin on Tuesday with a Real Madrid vs Benfica rematch among the highlights. We have predictions for all of the Champions League matchups this week as Europe’s top football tournament advances.
Champions League Predictions: Knockout Play-offs
Real Madrid at Benfica (Tuesday in Lisbon)
Benfica vs Real Madrid is an opportunity to “run it back” for Jose Mourinho and Benfica. One of the greatest nights in the history of Champions League football transpired in Lisbon just weeks ago, a last second goal by the Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin propelled Benfica into this knockout phase, where after defeating Real Madrid, they were immediately rematched with the elite Spanish club.
The La Liga side are locked in a title race with FC Barcelona where both teams have won 19 times this season. Since the difficult night in Lisbon, they have won three straight in La Liga, including a 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad where Vinicius Junior scored two penalties.
Real Madrid have suffered some strange results this season, including losing the Copa Del Rey matchup against lower division Albacete, but they are perfectly capable of winning big on Champions League nights, the talent remains on the squad.
Benfica’s results in the Liga Portugal were a pair of wins and a draw after the final UCL clash, they remain third in the domestic league, the backline frequently conceding goals. Benfica will miss the services of Fredrik Aursnes, and likely Samuel Soares and Richard Rios.
Kylian Mbappe should return for Real Madrid, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are suspended, along with two other first-choice players missing due to injury, Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao. Both teams look likely to concede, but Real Madrid likely won’t let this game slip away. Prediction: Real Madrid 3-2
Juventus at Galatasaray (Tuesday in Istanbul)
Galatasaray has dominated Turkish domestic football since a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the final matchday game of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Their strong form gives them confidence at home, as they will try to build a buffer in the first leg and force Juventus to chase them next week. Juventus has struggled, they drew with Monaco to close out the UCL campaign, lost to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia 3-0, drew with Lazio and on the weekend, they suffered a late defeat against Serie A leaders Inter Milan where they were controversially red carded. Sitting 5th in Serie A, the Champions League is the hope of the season that fans are most excited about.
Galatasaray will have to decide whether Mauro Icardi or Victor Osimhen will be the starting striker. Mario Lemina is suspended for this game, but Leroy Sane could return, along with Noa Lang who was added in the transfer window.
Juventus misses two of their preferred strikers, but Jonathan David will start, along with Turkish player Kenan Yildiz. Khephren Thuram also may return. It’s hard to see Juventus winning in Istanbul, the question is do they draw or trail before hosting in Italy.
Prediction: Galatasaray 2-0
PSG at Monaco (Tuesday in Monaco)
AS Monaco sits 8th in Ligue 1 though they haven’t lost in four matches (9-4-9). PSG are in the title chase against RC Lens, 16-3-3 on the season but having suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Rennes on Friday. PSG finished up the UCL league phase with a draw against Newcastle and thrashed Marseille 5-0 in the national Classique.
Given both these sides regularly play each other, there’s little doubt PSG is more talented and has more depth, that’s the state of French football for many years running now. Monaco is grateful for the cash infusion of the Champions League but it would be a shock to upset PSG in either leg. Monaco has also been bitten by the injury bug this season, Japan international Takumi Minamino, and former French international Paul Pogba are both out. PSG still don’t have Fabian Ruiz, while the Intercontinental Cup hero Matvei Safonov will start in goal.
Monaco should fight hard here but PSG will look to bounce back to the level that is expected of them. Prediction: PSG 3-1
Atalanta at Borussia Dortmund (Tuesday in Dortmund)
Playing at home is always an advantage for Borussia Dortmund, a side with three consecutive Bundesliga wins heading into this match with Atalanta from Serie A. Serhou Guirassy has scored 5 goals in those 3 games.
Atalanta can also take pride in their current form, 3-1-0 since the final UCL clash of the league phase, they defeated Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals and also defeated Lazio 2-0 on the weekend. While Dortmund are second in Germany, Atalanta are further back in Italy and fighting for a place in Europe.
Nico Schlotterbeck will return to the Dortmund backline along with Daniel Svensson, Emre Can misses but Marcel Sabitzer returns. Atalanta will be missing Charles De Ketelaere, but Giacomo Raspadori is a newly registered player. Atalanta have a punchers chance, but at home this should be a game Dortmund can dictate.
Prediction: Dortmund 2-1
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
