The Champions League playoff stage concludes this week as the 16 teams participating in that phase of the competition play the second leg of their respective ties.
Barring the biggest turnaround in the tournament's history, Newcastle United are effectively already through courtesy of their 6-1 advantage ahead of their second leg with Qarabag FK at St James' Park.
However, the other three ties to be played on Tuesday remain in the balance to varying extents, most notably the game involving Atletico Madrid, who were held to a 3-3 draw by Club Brugge in Belgium.
Make sure to check out our expert and best betting tips from Tuesday's Champions League matches below:
Today's Champions League betting tips and predictions
Atletico Madrid vs. Club Brugge (5.45pm)
Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge will reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match
Tip 1: Both teams to score and over 2.5 overs
With another action-packed clash expected in the Spanish capital on Tuesday evening, the 20/21 on BoyleSports for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals holds plenty of appeal.
Not only would this selection have been the right call in Belgium last week, but it also landed in each of Atletico Madrid’s four home fixtures during the league phase of the competition.
The same combination paid out in Club Brugge’s away trips to Atalanta and Kairat Almaty, further strengthening the case for a repeat at the Metropolitano.
Tip 2: Julian Alvarez to score anytime
After grabbing a goal in last week's first leg, Julian Alvarez looks worthy of consideration to repeat the trick this midweek at 10/11 on bet365. The Argentine ace boasts an impressive return of five strikes across his eight appearances in this season's Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos (8pm)
Tipster: Vladislav Tchakarov
Another week, another clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiacos, but for the first time in Germany, as the teams collide in the second leg of their UCL playoff.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match
Tip 1: Bayer Leverkusen to win
After last week’s clash and Leverkusen’s overall home form, we don’t expect them to leave any chances to the visitors. The loss to Union is not that significant because the team was completely changed.
If you watched the match, you probably know how much pressure they put on in the last 20 minutes and that the equalizer was just minutes away, but their time ran out. Bayer Leverkusen are absolutely in form, and especially at home, where they won four in a row without conceding a goal, so betting odds of 4/5 should be viewed as attractive.
Tip 2: Both teams to score: No
See above. Both teams not to score can be had at betting odds of 23/20.
Inter Milan vs. Bodo/Glimt (8pm)
All eyes will be on Milan on Tuesday after Bodo/Glimt pulled off the big surprise of the round last week, beating Inter Milan 3-1. Last year's finalists will have to do something they have never done before in the Champions League to advance.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match
Tip 1: Over 3.5 goals
All roads lead to a goal-packed clash, and with Bodo/Glimt, you can never know who will win. After all, they already beat Atletico Madrid away from home, and also picked up a point at Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Inter lost twice at home in the League Phase, and have now been asked to win by 3+ goals for the first time ever at this stage. The Norwegians have proven they can match the best in the world, and we will risk backing an over 3.5 at 4/5, with hopes that Bodo will continue scoring goals too.
Tip 2: Pio Espositio to score anytime
The artificial turf in Norway has claimed its victim, as Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez will not be playing in this match due to an injury he sustained last week.
In his absence, others will have to prove themselves, although it will be much more difficult for the team. Hakan Calhanoglu is expected to return from his latest muscle injury, and he can decide any match on his own.
But we would like to draw attention to 20-year-old Pio Esposito, who scored the only goal in the first match. A week earlier, he also scored against Juventus. This will be a great opportunity for the youngster to prove himself and secure his place in the starting lineup. He is 17/20 to score anytime.
Newcastle United vs. Qarabag FK (8pm)
Newcastle United host Qarabag on Tuesday at St James Park in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play off second leg, holding a commanding 6-1 lead from the first meeting in Azerbaijan.
Click here to read our full expert preview on this match
Tip 1: Newcastle win and under 4.5 goals
Newcastle to win and under 4.5 goals fits the likely pattern of the second leg given the 6-1 aggregate lead and the squad context.
With the tie effectively decided, this should be a controlled home performance rather than an open contest. Newcastle have won three of their four home league phase matches, conceding only two goals in those fixtures. Across the full league phase they allowed just seven goals in eight games, underlining a defensive base that limits volatility.
Qarabag away from home in the league phase lost three of four, conceding 13 goals. That includes a 6-0 defeat at Liverpool. Across nine matches overall they have conceded 27 goals and allowed 63 shots on target. More than 67% of the shots they face come inside the box, which explains the volume of goals against stronger opposition.
Newcastle creative numbers suggest they will still generate chances even with rotation. They ranked fourth for big chances with 40 across the league phase and scored 23 goals in nine matches overall. However, game state matters. With a five-goal cushion, there is no need to chase margin or increase tempo late on.
Qarabag average 10 shots per match across nine games and have struggled to sustain pressure against top-level opponents. If Newcastle control territory and possession at home, the visitors are unlikely to force a high scoring shootout, so the 5/6 offered by Coral makes a lot of sense.
Tip 2: Newcastle to win to NIL
As well as the above, Newcastle generated 5.69 xG from 22 shots and 14 on target in the first leg, creating 13 big chances. Qarabag managed 0.46 xG and no big chances. The aggregate score reflects both form and process.
Therefore, a Newcastle win with a clean sheet at Evens with BetVictor could deliver.
Darren is a writer and tipster across a wide array of sports including football, golf, darts and boxing. He counts Keegan Bradley's US PGA Championship win in 2011 as his greatest-ever bet. Darren is also a Chelsea and Hednesford Town fan, as well as a keen golfer and darts player.
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