UCL PlayOff Betting Tips: 1UP and GG Markets To Get You Paid!

In last week’s preview of the first legs of the Champions League playoffs, we came painfully close to a clean 8-for-8 sweep. Some of our biggest shouts - Bet Builder: Ademola Lookman 1+ Goal or Assist & Over 1.5 Goals and Serhou Guirassy Anytime Scorer - came through comfortably. But Bodø/Glimt’s surprise win over Inter and Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory in Greece cost us what would’ve been a winning ticket. 

This week, we’ve gone back to the drawing board and tweaked our approach. While we're still backing the 1UP market, we’re also tapping into the Both Teams To Score market, with a few ties set up to be wide open after the first legs. So, without further delay, here are our bet predictions for the UCL Playoff 2nd-leg fixtures:

Our Picks: 

• Total Odds:  33.04
• Booking Code: W212H6
• Acca Bonus: 15%

MAIN ATTRACTIONS 

Real Madrid vs. Benfica (1-0)

Football is “the beautiful game,” as Pelé once said, and last Tuesday we saw both sides of that beauty. Vinícius Júnior curled home a stunning winner at the Estádio da Luz, a goal worthy of deciding any Champions League tie. But moments later, the night turned ugly. Vinícius accused Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse, prompting an eight-minute stoppage. UEFA are still investigating, which is in line with their thorough process in matters like this, especially considering Prestianni’s mouth was covered when he allegedly uttered the abusive words. Sadly, the show must go on with this dark cloud hovering over our heads. 

Real Madrid carry a narrow 1-0 advantage into Wednesday’s showdown. That slim lead matters, especially when you consider their ridiculous European pedigree. They’ve progressed in 22 of their last 23 European ties after winning the first leg. That’s not just a stat that’s… football heritage.

Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Madrid comes into this off a 2-1 La Liga loss to Osasuna, a performance that raised eyebrows. They’re second in the league and have had their fair share of ups and downs, so backing them outright at short prices might not feel entirely comfortable. Meanwhile, Benfica have won eight of their last 11 two-legged European ties, so they won’t roll over. They also bounced back domestically with a 3-0 win at the weekend, which keeps morale high heading into this game. That said, history is on Los Blancos’ side. They’ve won five of their last six against Portuguese clubs.

Benfica’s record against Spanish opposition is also a concern. They’ve lost six of their last eight against La Liga teams and 15 of their previous 27 overall. Even more worrying is that they have just two wins in 14 away games against Spanish clubs. That’s a brutal stat if you’re thinking about having your betting stake on an upset.

Madrid boss Álvaro Arbeloa is expected to start Vinícius, who’s chasing goals in five straight games. With Rodrygo suspended and injuries to Jude Bellingham, Éder Militão and Dani Ceballos, Madrid aren’t at full strength. However, my bet of the day is for Vinicius Jr. to get on the scoresheet in this game. It just feels like it’s written in the stars. Also Kylian Mbappé, who leads the UCL top scorers chart, is a pick to get a goal. 

Benfica, on the other hand, are almost fully fit with João Veloso being their only absentee. Vangelis Pavlidis, with 28 goals in all competitions this season, is the man to watch. If you’re eyeing anytime scorer markets or Benfica to score, his form is hard to ignore.

There’s quality, controversy, and pressure all wrapped into one night. José Mourinho returns to Madrid, though he won’t be on the touchline after his red card in the first leg. UEFA rules allow him to attend press conferences but not sit in the technical area. Mourinho has already stirred things up, suggesting Vinícius provoked the incident. The Bernabéu crowd won’t forget that quickly. Madrid has history and home advantage. Benfica have belief and a prolific striker. Add Mourinho’s subplot and Vinícius’ emotional edge, and this feels like a game that won’t lack intensity.

Betting Tips: 

• Vinicius Jr. Anytime Scorer @2.35 
• Real Madrid 1UP @1.20 
• Kylian Mbappe Anytime Scorer @1.44

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Monaco (3-2)

Paris Saint-Germain are 90 minutes away from a 14th straight Champions League round of 16 appearance, and after a wild first leg, they’re in control heading back to the Parc des Princes. The reigning European champions came from two goals down to beat AS Monaco 3-2 in the Principality, the first time this century they’ve won a UCL knockout game after trailing by two. That comeback wasn’t just dramatic, it was telling. Luis Enrique’s side looked rattled early but completely flipped the game in the second half, showing the attacking depth that matters in two-legged ties.

From a betting angle, the numbers heavily favour PSG. They’ve won four straight knockout matches in this competition and are unbeaten in eight of their last nine home games in all competitions. Their last two matches in Paris saw them score 8 unreplied goals, they’ve avoided defeat in their last five home meetings with Monaco and they haven’t lost a one-off knockout clash against them this century. Simply put: PSG at home in Europe is usually business.

Monaco, meanwhile, need to win. That’s the problem. They’ve been eliminated in their last three two-legged Champions League ties and haven’t reached the round of 16 since the Kylian Mbappé-inspired 2016-17 run. Away form is also worrying; just one win in their last five competitive games outside the Principality, and they’ve conceded 12 goals across four UCL away fixtures this season.

Their squad is also battling an injury-crisis. Paul Pogba, Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino and Lukas Hradecky are out, Aleksandr Golovin is suspended, and a few others are doubtful. That’s not ideal when you need to chase a result in Paris.

PSG have their own absentees; Ousmane Dembélé and Fabián Ruiz are doubts, but the depth difference is obvious. Désiré Doué scored twice in the first leg, Achraf Hakimi got on the scoresheet, and Matvey Safonov has quietly taken over in goal.

Folarin Balogun bagged a brace in the first leg and scored again at the weekend, so Monaco have that going for them. However, given PSG’s scoring form and Monaco’s defensive issues, markets like PSG to win, PSG over 1.5 team goals, and both teams to score look attractive.

Betting Tips: 

• Both Teams To Score @1.58 
• PSG Over 1.5 Goals @1.22
• PSG 1UP @1.11 

OTHER GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON…

Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge (3-3)

Last week, we backed Ademola Lookman, and he came through for us. The 2024 African Player of the Year found the net in the six-goal thriller against Club Brugge, and he followed that up by scoring again at the weekend as Atleti secured a well-earned 4-2 win over Espanyol. He now has 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games since joining last month. With Atleti not just scoring freely but also conceding, coupled with the fact that 92% of Club Brugge’s Champions League Fixtures this season have featured Over 2.5 Goals, there are plenty of betting angles to attack in this one. We’ll start by going with the Both Teams to Score (GG) pick and then, of course, tapping into the Ademola Lookman blessing once more. On BetKing, we have the best odds for these markets. 

Betting Tips: 

• Both Teams To Score @1.66 
• Bet Builder: Ademola Lookman 1+ Goal or Assists + Over 1.5 Total Goals @1.75

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos (2-0)

Kasper Hjulmand will feel good about his Leverkusen and their chances of reaching the Round of 16 after getting half the job done away from home, but they can’t afford to relax against a familiar and desperate opponent. Die Werkself have won six of their last eight games in all competitions, although they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Union Berlin on Saturday.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, and interestingly, each team already has a 2-0 win over the other which makes this one tricky to predict. The clear trend from those clashes, though, is that goals have been scarce. Add that to the fact that Bayer Leverkusen have kept four straight clean sheets at home and are likely to take a cautious approach, and this doesn’t look like a game packed with action.

Betting Tip: 

• Under 3.5 Goals @1.48 

Juventus vs. Galatasaray (2-5)

The first leg couldn’t have gone much worse for the Old Lady. Gleison Bremer got injured, Juan Cabal saw red, and they’re now three goals down to a Galatasaray side that rotated heavily in the Turkish Super Lig at the weekend and will have a few fresh legs for this game. Juventus didn’t help their own cause this weekend, falling 2-0 to Como - their fourth defeat in five games (with one draw). Naturally, confidence isn’t exactly high heading into the return leg.

That said, we’re leaning towards goals here. Trailing by three, Juve have no option but to go on the front foot, and that will leave gaps at the back. We expect them to get some joy going forward, but we also see them conceding. This one should be just as lively as the first leg.

Betting Tip: 

• Both Teams To Score @1.56 

Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund (0-2)

Like the other two Italian sides, Atalanta are heading back to Italy with a mountain to climb after going two goals down in the first leg. Dortmund were ruthless, scoring with both of their shots on target, as they frustrated the visitors all night long. Atalanta got a big confidence boost with a 2-1 win over Napoli on Sunday, while Dortmund also showed character, fighting back from two goals down to earn a point at RB Leipzig.

Even though Borussia Dortmund have the advantage, which means Atalanta will need to come out swinging, the signs point strongly towards goals in this one. There have been three or more total goals in each of Atalanta’s last four home games. They’ve also scored before halftime in their last six at home. On top of that, at least one first-half goal has been scored in each of Dortmund’s last seven away matches. All arrows point to an open, high-scoring contest.

Betting Tips: 

• Atalanta 1UP @1.52 
• Over 0.5 Goals in 1st Half @1.31

Newcastle United vs. Qarabağ (6-1)

This tie was basically done by halftime, as Anthony Gordon’s four first-half goals made life easy for the Magpies. Even though they oddly had just 45% possession, there was never any doubt about who the better side was - 20 shots (13 on target) compared to Qarabağ’s four (only two on target) tells the real story.

With Newcastle United all but through to the Round of 16, the real value for the online betting community sits in the goal markets. The Magpies have scored in both halves in 56% of their UCL games this season, including last week. And based on how poor Qarabağ were defensively in the first leg, that’s a line well worth backing.

Betting Tips: 

• Home to Score in Both Halves @1.46 
• Over 2.5 Goals @1.31 

Inter vs. FK Bodø/Glimt (1-3)

Inter find themselves in serious trouble after that 3-1 first-leg defeat. The Nerazzurri hit the woodwork twice and will feel it just wasn’t their night, as Bodø/Glimt were clinical and ruthless when it mattered most. Going into this one, I expect the visitors to set up with an ultra-defensive approach. They’re two goals up against one of the best teams in the world, and caution should be the priority. This likely means Inter come out fast and aggressive, pushing for an early breakthrough. I expect them to score first and take the lead at some point, which makes 1UP Inter the smart play here… and I’d also look at a healthy number of corners for the home side.

Betting Tips: 

• 1UP Inter @1.10 
• Over 7.5 Corners For Inter @1.61 

1UP is the exciting new market that gets you paid as soon as your team takes a lead. Quick, early, no long story. Full-time predictions don’t really matter here - only goals. To read more about 1UP, click here.