Today's football tips for 25 Feb 2026: analysis of 2 promising matches, UCL action, and today's match schedule.
On 24 February 2026, today's football tips highlight the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 play-off second leg, deciding the last 16 spots, with analysis and insights for two intriguing matches as follows.
- UEFA Champions League play-off second leg / Kick-off at 03:00 GMT+7.
The "Los Blancos" lost confidence after a defeat to Osasuna, losing the La Liga lead, but still hold the advantage after winning 1-0 against the "Eagles of Lisbon" in the first leg. Their knockout record in UCL home-and-away ties remains strong, winning 10 of the last 12 matches, including 5 of the last 6 against Portuguese teams. However, this match sees key players Kylian Mbappé and Dean Hausen injured, totaling six absences. Yet, Vinícius Júnior, who suffered racial abuse in the first leg, remains on track to score.
Benfica recently secured a league win but will miss their talented manager José Mourinho due to a red card suspension from the first leg. Their record against Spanish opponents is poor, losing 6 of the last 8, and 9 of 14 away European matches in Spain (with only 2 wins). Although Gianluca Prestianni is suspended for racial abuse against Vinícius, they still have star striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who has netted 28 goals across all competitions this season. Still, it seems unlikely they can overturn the deficit to advance.
Prediction Real Madrid to secure victory again.
- UEFA Champions League play-off second leg / Kick-off at 03:00 GMT+7.
The home team "Bianconeri" need a huge miracle after a heavy first-leg defeat. Historically, in 49 UCL knockout ties where teams lost the first leg by at least 3 goals, only 4 have advanced. Recently, Juventus lost their unbeaten home league record after a 0-2 defeat to Como, resulting in 5 matches without a win (4 losses, 1 draw). They also await fitness updates on key attacker Kenan Yildiz, who was injured in the last match, while Juan Cuadrado and Andrea Cambiaso are suspended.
Galatasaray hold a strong advantage from the first leg and have advanced in all 11 previous European knockout ties won on aggregate. However, they recently lost in the league to Konyaspor, who had been winless in 12 games. Their away UCL form is concerning, with just 1 win and 9 losses in their last 13 matches. Mario Lemina, a Juventus former player, returns from suspension. If Victor Osimhen is fit to join Noah Lang in attack, they should have enough firepower to prevent Juventus from overturning the tie.
Prediction Juventus may narrowly win but it won't be enough to advance.
