Free Football Champions League Predictions for Tuesday, February 17th
Galatasaray vs Juventus
The group stage matches of the Champions League have barely concluded, and the knockout rounds are already underway. Galatasaray and Juventus are the first to take the stage. The hosts advanced to the playoffs from the 20th position (10 points), while the visitors secured the 13th spot (13 points). The Turkish side started strong, winning 3 out of their first 4 matches, whereas the Turin team finished strong with a series of five unbeaten matches. However, the current situation is different.
Luciano Spalletti's team is experiencing a downturn and is heading to Istanbul after a painful defeat to Inter (2-3), having played more than half the match with a man down. In this context, the bookmakers' faith in Juventus is surprising. Galatasaray is in excellent form, and we know how formidable they are at their home stadium, where they have not lost in 8 of their last 9 matches. It is critically important for Okan Buruk's team to establish an advantage before the return leg, and in our opinion, they have every chance to do so.
Match Prediction for Galatasaray vs Juventus: Galatasaray will not lose
Monaco vs PSG
The only pair in the knockout round representing the same country. Monaco barely made it to the playoffs, finishing 21st with 10 points, while PSG missed the chance to finish the group stage in the top 8 by failing to defeat Newcastle (1-1) in the eighth round. The reigning Champions League winners are not having an easy season: they have a series of three matches without a win in the Champions League, as well as a defeat to Rennes (1-3) in the last round of Ligue 1, where, believe it or not, the Parisians are not in first place.
However, Monaco's situation is even more challenging despite their recent victory over Nantes (3-1), as evidenced by their eighth position in the league standings. They also have significantly more personnel losses: Eric Dier, Takumi Minamino, Mohammed Salisu, Kassoum Ouattara, Lukas Hradecky – all are key figures for the team. Luis Enrique will truly miss only Fabian Ruiz. Paris is the favorite, but considering they have only beaten Monaco once in their last five away encounters and have conceded in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches, a bet on both teams to score seems optimal.
Match Prediction for Monaco vs PSG: both teams to score (yes)
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
One of the most evenly matched pairs at this stage. Even in the group stage standings, Borussia and Atalanta were separated by just one position. Both teams were fighting for a direct spot in the round of 16, but suffered defeats in the last two rounds, complicating their paths significantly. Currently, both Dortmund and Bergamo sides are in excellent form, each boasting a series of three victories.
It's important to consider the personnel losses, and here's the situation. Due to injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, and Filippo Mane, Borussia is facing serious issues in central defense, likely resulting in Julian Ryerson being moved there. Atalanta, on the other hand, is encountering difficulties in attack – injured are Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori. We believe that the opponents will exploit each other's vulnerabilities and exchange goals, as was the case in both head-to-head encounters during the 2017/18 season.
Prediction for the Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta match: both teams to score (yes)
Benfica vs Real Madrid
And here is the most anticipated matchup! The teams faced each other in the final round of the group stage and delivered a real thriller! Real Madrid lost and dropped out of the top 8, while Benfica, thanks to a last-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, managed to secure a spot in the playoffs, climbing to 24th place. This is already history! Three weeks later, the "Whites" return to the "Estádio da Luz" to settle the score with the "Eagles." Will they succeed?
We think it will be very difficult. After that fiasco, Madrid secured three consecutive victories, but these were matches they were expected to win. Facing José Mourinho's team will be challenging without several key players: Éder Militão, Raúl Asensio, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo. Defensive woes continue to haunt Álvaro Arbeloa's team, so we lean towards the idea that Real, together with a Benfica energized by their home crowd, will once again put on a goal-scoring feast. In the last four Champions League matches involving the "Royal Club," more than 2.5 goals were scored, with the total often being exceeded by a significant margin.
