UEFA Champions League Playoffs Kick Off: Previews and Predictions for the First Round of 32 Matches

Today, February 17 (Tuesday), the first four matches of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League playoff round of 32 (knockout play-in round) will take place.

Three games will kick off at 23:00 Moscow time (00:00 Yerevan), while the match in Istanbul will start earlier at 20:45 Moscow time (21:45 Yerevan).

Galatasaray (20th) vs Juventus (13th)

Injuries

Galatasaray: Metagan Baltaji, Ahmed Kutucu, Mario Lemina, Arda Unyay
Juventus: Jonathan David, Emil Holm, Dusan Vlahovic

Probable lineups

Galatasaray: Cakir — Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jacobs — Torreira, Gundogan, Yilmaz, Gabriel Sara, Sane — Osimhen

Juventus: Di Gregorio — Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cabal — Locatelli, Thuram — Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz — Openda

Bookmakers slightly favor Juventus (2.29), but playing in Istanbul is always extremely difficult. The teams last met back in 2003, so head-to-head history offers little guidance.

Prediction: A cautious approach from both sides, but the visitors’ quality could prove decisive in the second half.

Benfica (24th) vs Real Madrid (9th)

Injuries

Benfica: Joao Veloso
Real Madrid: Raul Asensio, Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo

Probable lineups

Benfica: Trubin — Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl — Barrenechea, Aursnes — Prestianni, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup — Pavlidis

Real Madrid: Courtois — Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras — Tchouameni, Valverde, Camavinga, Guler — Vinicius Junior, Mbappe

Their previous meeting took place recently in the final round of the league phase. Benfica won 4–2, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. However, that win was crucial for the Portuguese side to reach the playoffs.

Now the situation is different: Real Madrid come into the match on a winning streak, and Alexander-Arnold and Rudiger have returned in defense.

Bookmakers consider the Spanish side favorites (2.25).

Prediction: A more pragmatic approach from Real Madrid as they aim for revenge.

Borussia Dortmund (17th) vs Atalanta (15th)

Injuries

Borussia: Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule
Atalanta: Charles De Ketelaere, Giacomo Raspadori

Probable lineups

Borussia: Kobel — Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini — Couto, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson — Bynoe-Gittens, Silva — Guirassy

Atalanta: Carnesecchi — Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor — Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski — Samardzic, Bernasconi, Krstovic

Bookmakers give a slight edge to the hosts (2.15).

Prediction: Narrow advantage for Borussia in a high-intensity encounter.

Monaco (21st) vs PSG (11th)

Injuries

Monaco: Eric Dier, Ansu Fati, Lukas Hradecky, Thilo Kehrer, Christian Mawissa, Takumi Minamino, Kassoum Ouattara, Mohamed Salisu
PSG: Senny Mayulu, Quentin Ndjantou, Fabian Ruiz

Probable lineups

Monaco: Koen — Vanderson, Faes, Zakaria, Caio Henrique — Koulibaly, Camara — Akliouche, Golovin, Adingra — Balogun

PSG: Safonov — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes — Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves — Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

PSG are clear favorites according to bookmakers (1.45).

Prediction: The visitors should dominate possession and quality, while Monaco will rely on counterattacks. Expected PSG victory.