2023 UCL Play Off Predictions – Favorites in Each Pair

There is only one round left before the Champions League group stage and it’s called the play off. From twelve teams, only six will advance to the next round while the losers will be transferred to Europa League. Check out the final 2023 UCL play off predictions to see who has better odds to move on and keep fighting for the trophy.

2023 UCL Play off Predictions and Betting Odds

Most online sportsbooks in Belgium are ready with their odds on the winners of the 2023/24 Champions League play-off stage. The round starts on Tuesday, August 22, with the Belgian club Antwerp meeting their Greek rivals AEK. Then, twelve exciting matches are awaiting football fans, who will enjoy games in Leg 1 & 2 until August 30. So, it’s the best time to look at the 2023 UCL play off predictions and odds from bookmakers. 

Antwerp (BEL) v AEK Athens (GRE)

This pair will open the first leg of the play off round. Antwerp took only fourth place in the Belgium Pro League, while AEK won their local league in a dramatic fashion and against all odds. The Athens club was unbeaten in four games, and it helped them to pass Panathinaikos, who absolutely bottled it in the end with 2 draws and 2 losses.

Whatsoever, online gambling sites in Belgium think that Antwerp has more chances to advance to the UCL group stage. The odds on Antwerp are 2.17 against 3.18 on AEK. We think that it is not as certain as it is thought and might be no less interesting than Rangers v PSV taking place the same day.

Rangers (SCO) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)

Twenty years ago, these two could have been of a proper UCL Play-off quality. Both are very famous clubs with serious ambitions and good 2023 UCL play off predictions. Both Rangers and PSV finished second in their championships, and both clubs have high-quality players experienced in winning tournaments. 22Bet gives both teams a 2.55 chance of winning the draw, which makes it the most evenly matched pair of the bunch. For a neutral fan, it is a game worth watching just for the sake of football history.

Raków Częstochowa (POL) v Copenhagen (DEN)

Raków have been sensational over the past three years, taking 2 second places in Ekstraklasa 2020/21 and 2021/22. The club has finally reached the dream and won the league this year, though it went past the list of the best Polish football clubs ever. Copenhagen also won their domestic league, the second time in succession. Most bookies give Raków 2.36 odds and 3.03 odds on Copenhagen.

This is also a very interesting pair of teams and seeing a Polish club in UCL might be a good thing for any football fan, but experience counts. Copenhagen have never been successful in UCL, but they performed there. In our opinion, the Danish club will move further.

Molde (NOR) v Galatasaray (TUR)

Most 2023 UCL play off predictions struggle to predict a winner in this pair. 2.76 odds on Molde and 2.43 on Galatasaray show that both clubs are equally strong. However, Turks are slightly better as a team. They have Muslera in goal, Angeliño from RB Leipzig on loan, Demirbay in midfield, Mauro Icardi, and Wilfred Zaha in offense, and soon they will be joined by Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea. On paper, this team of such quality players should secure their Champions League group stage spot in the first game, so we think it will be Galatasaray as well but by a landslide.

Braga (POR) v Panathinaikos (GRE)

Braga took third place in the last Liga Portugal in a fierce fight against Sporting Lisbon. In their turn, the Greeks lost their league in Bayer Leverkusen 2001/02 style, bottling it in the last four games. Generally, Portuguese clubs are stronger than the Greek ones, no matter what the teams are. Braga has a good record performing in Europa League, constantly playing in its group stage, while Panathinaikos have not qualified to any European tournament in 20 years. The 2023 UCL play off predictions at 22Bet Sportsbook are in an absolute favor of Braga – 1.69 on the Portuguese club against 5.20 on Panathinaikos.

Maccabi Haifa (ISL) v Young Boys (SWI)

This draw is probably the one with the most uncertain prediction. Both Maccabi and Young Boys won their national championships and both are quite experienced in the Champions League. Also, bookmakers offer almost equal 2.40 odds on Maccabi and 2.79 on Young Boys. Drawing the game has a possibility of 3.60, which means that it is less likely for the pair to finish the games even on goals. Since Maccabi historically has more experience on European fields, we think that it will be them reaching the UCL group stage.

Click here to try the best odds at 22bet Sportsbook