Best UEFA Champions League Picks and Predictions: UCL League Phase Ends

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Tue Jan 27, 2026, 5:48 pm ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Patrik Schick has two goals in just five UCL matches for Leverkusen - UCL Picks

UEFA

The UEFA Champions League has reached it's conclusion in the League Phase portion of the competition. On Wednesday, all 36 clubs are in action at the same time, with all 18 matches kicking off at 3:00 p.m. eastern. This gives us footy fans absolute chaos as the table settles and teams either move on or get sent packing. Let's get into our expert UCL Picks in order to figure out how to bet on this massive soccer slate.

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UEFA Champions League Picks and Predictions – January 28

Pretty much everyone has a reason to give their all on Wednesday. Only four teams have been mathematically eliminated. Big thanks to Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat Almaty for coming out. Now the top two spots are all but taken, as Arsenal need just a draw to finish first, and Bayern Munich need the same in order to finish second. Both should bring their A-game and leave no doubt.

Now, we have 13 teams who have guaranteed that they advance, but are still playing for seeding or to stay in the top eight. Those teams include Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Inter Milan and Juventus.

Finally, there are 17 clubs who will either make the knockout round or be eliminated depending on their result and those by teams around them. Those clubs are Dortmund, Galatasaray, Qarabag, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV, Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Napoli, Kobenhavn, Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Benfica, Pafos, Union St.-Gilloise and Ajax.

Nearly everyone has a reason to give it there all on Wednesday, creating mayhem for us bettors. Head to head does not matter if teams are tied on points. The first tiebreaker is goal differential, with the second being goals scored, followed by away goals scored, and then most wins if necessary.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Inter Milan UEFA Champions League Picks

Lautaro Martinez and Inter Milan need all the points they can get in Germany as they face Borussia Dortmund - UCL Picks

Lautaro Martinez and Inter Milan need all the points they can get in Germany as they face Borussia Dortmund

Best Bet: Inter Milan +0.5/Dortmund TT Under 1.5 (-116) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

The Italians boast one of the best back lines in all of Europe, and it will show on Wednesday. Knowing they have already advanced, but a win could propel them into the top eight, they should be extra cautious when facing Borussia Dortmund, who are currently third in terms of goals scored in the UCL.

However, I see them having trouble against an Inter defense that is highly motivated after allowing three goals to Arsenal at home. In their first three UCL matches, they earned a shutout victory, so they certainly have the capabilities to shutout their German hosts. Ultimately, Dortmund will spend much of the match on the attacking side of things, but I fail to see them scoring twice. Inter Milan should be able to earn a point and get a favorable draw in the knockout round.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw (+675)

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Newcastle United UEFA Champions League Picks

Hakimi and PSG host Newcastle United in their final UCL League Phase match - UCL Picks

Hakimi and PSG host Newcastle United in their final UCL League Phase match

Best Bet: PSG ML/Over 2.5 (+102) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Don't overthink this. Paris Saint-Germain is the more talented squad at home. Sure, both clubs are looking to stay in the top eight where they currently sit, but I see PSG asserting their dominance in this match. I think they could cover this number by themselves. Newcastle has been playing great soccer this season and are soaring up the EPL table, but shutouts against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Wolverhampton do not give me much faith in their offense.

If you wanted more juice, PSG's team total over 2.5 is priced at +131, but they'll likely only need two goals to win this contest at home.

Prediction: PSG Wins 2-1 (+725)

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Villarreal UEFA Champions League Picks

Alejandro Grimaldo leads Bayer Leverkusen with three goals in the UCL so far - UCL Picks

Alejandro Grimaldo leads Bayer Leverkusen with three goals in the UCL so far

Best Bet: Bayer Leverkusen -1 (+103) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Plus money and push potential. You gotta love it. Plus, we love that our German hosts have everything to play for, while Villarreal have already packed their bags. Nothing can be done for this Spanish side, and while they won't roll over and die, there is a chance we get some reserves in the starting lineup so the young guys can gain some UCL experience.

Either way, this one has Bayer Leverkusen written all over it. If you'd like, you can take -1.5 at +159. They currently sit at No. 20 on the UCL table, tied with Marseille and Monaco with nine points a piece. While the top eight is out of reach, a loss could mean they slip below No. 24, resulting in their elimination from the competition. For a team that has little else to play for this season, I see them bringing their top dawgs into this match and showing no mercy at home. Remember, goal differential comes into play for tiebreakers, so there is no point in taking their foot off the gas. They can easily win this by two goals.

Villarreal has netted just five goals in seven UCL matches and have been shutout four separate times, while allowing over two goals per match. I think Leverkusen could win in shutout fashion which is priced at +225 for those interested.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Wins 3-0 (+1200)

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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