CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TUESDAY: The Ultra previews the Last 16 stage with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
LAST 16
It’s a huge week from Europe on Betdaq Betting Exchange as we start the Last 16 of the Champions on Tuesday! We have four fascinating first leg ties as Galatasaray host Liverpool, Atletico Madrid host Tottenham, Newcastle host Barcelona, and Atalanta host Bayern Munich. We basically have something for everyone on Tuesday – open markets and very competitive betting heats, along with plenty of talking points. We kick off the action in Turkey as Galatasaray host Liverpool in what could be the most intriguing tie of the night. This is a rematch from the league phase where Galatasaray won 1-0. Liverpool come into the game as the odds on favourites, but there’s no surprise that there’s plenty of layers. Liverpool are trading 1.83 with Galatasaray 4.4 and the draw is 4.3 at the time of writing.
Galatasaray qualified through the playoffs after a thrilling 7-5 aggregate win over Juventus, and I have to say the 1.83 on Liverpool doesn’t jump off the page here. They have been playing good football in the Premier League but they have been getting results – another recent loss away to Wolves a classic example. They corrected that in the FA Cup in the exact same fixture since, but the atmosphere here will be electric and Galatasaray’s home record in the Champions League has been solid. On balance, I expect the game to be closer than the odds suggest and from a value point of view, I’m happy to lay Liverpool.
We have three cracking games kicking off at 8pm. Atletico Madrid are the shortest price – they are 1.57 at the time of writing with Spurs 6.6 and the draw is 4.6 at the time of writing. Atletico had a difficult league phase, finishing 14th, but recovered strongly in the playoffs to beat Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate. The Metropolitano is a fortress; as is the want of Diego Simeone! Spurs situation is quite remarkable when you think about it – they are in the Champions League Last 16 while simultaneously fighting a Premier League relegation battle. I seen a joke this week saying they could become the first ever side to rest players in the Champions League latter stages to focus on staying in the Premier League! Spurs have not won a league game in 2026 and head coach Igor Tudor, who is still new, is under immense pressure.
Spurs have been woeful all season and while they have had success in the Champions League – in my opinion they had the easiest fixture list in the whole tournament. I know Atletico Madrid haven’t exactly been firing domestically this season, but I do feel the 1.57 offers good value here with Spurs all over the place. I’m happy to have a confident bet on the home win here. Another odds on favourite is Bayern Munich away to Atalanta – Bayern come in as odds-on favourites at 1.65 with Atalanta at 5.1 and the draw is 4.9 at the time of writing. Who could forget how Atalanta got here – coming from 2-0 down after the first leg against Borussia Dortmund to win 4-1 at home with a 98th-minute penalty to go through.
Atalanta have struggled for results in Serie A this season. However, they have been playing decent football and should not be dismissed lightly here. They have an average xG created of 1.68, which is the third best attacking figure in Serie A but they sit out of the European spots, dropping points again at the weekend. Bayern have obviously been on a different planet in the Bundesliga this season – they have an eleven point lead at the top of the table and an average xG created of 2.3. Very impressive, and while they should get the job done here I do feel that the 1.65 doesn’t jump off the page here as good value. Atalanta are very good at home, and this is a game that I’m happy to sit out of.
We finish the night with arguably the highlight of the night as Newcastle host Barcelona. St James’ Park will be absolutely rocking, and you have to feel that Newcastle have to win here – they need to take a lead to the Camp Nou. We have the most open betting heat of the evening, but Barcelona are still solid favourites. Barcelona are 2.34 with Newcastle 4.0 and the draw is 4.0 at the time of writing. Barcelona’s games at the league stage were exceptionally entertaining and filled with goals; it’ll be interesting to see what approach they adopt here. I know Newcastle have been sitting in mid-table in the Premier League this season, but they have been playing much better than their results suggest.
That being said, Barcelona have been exceptional this season. Plus they won 1-2 at this very ground in the league phase thanks to a Rashford brace. Barcelona have an average xG created of 2.33 this season which is obviously an exceptionally impressive figure in La Liga. For example, that’s higher than Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. I do feel we’ll have an entertaining game here, and Over 2.5 goals has to be an option at 1.5 but I’m happy with the Barcelona win at 2.34 – they are firing at the moment and that price looks good value.
The Ultra Says:
Two points lay (liability) Liverpool to beat Galatasaray at 1.83 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
Three points win Atletico Madrid to beat Tottenham at 1.57 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
Two points win Barcelona to beat Newcastle at 2.34 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/CL2026
