Between the UEFA Champions League play-off round matches, fans get a chance to switch to domestic leagues. The most anticipated fixture will be the North London Derby. But even without the Tottenham vs Arsenal clash, there will be plenty of interesting games. The TipsGG analytics team has prepared their predictions for the matches on 21 and 22 February.
Juventus vs Como
The beginning of February turned out disastrous for the Old Lady: elimination in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals by Atalanta (0:3) and a painful dropped points at home in Serie A against Lazio (2:2). In that match, the Turin side fired 34 shots at the opponent’s goal but could only snatch a draw in stoppage time. More disappointment followed: a defeat to Inter (2:3) due to a blatant refereeing error that could prove decisive in the title race. And this week came an epic fiasco in Istanbul. In the Champions League, Galatasaray left no stone unturned in Juventus’ defence, thrashing them (5:2). Now the Bianconeri face a difficult dilemma: throw all resources into the return leg against the Turks or focus on the fight for a top-4 spot in Serie A against a direct rival. Recent results clearly show that the team lacks the strength to succeed on two fronts.
On the other side is Como, who are also going through tough times. In their last three league matches, Cesc Fàbregas’ side collected only two points, losing at home to Fiorentina (1:2) amid fatigue after a cup game, and drawing with Milan and Atalanta.
The Lariani already beat the Turin side in round 7 (2:0), but since then the balance of power has shifted. Today Juventus are in significantly better condition than at the start of the season.
Match bet: Juventus Double Chance (1X) + Total Under 3.5 (odds 1.72)
Given the tournament tasks, the hosts vitally need to beat direct league competitors. Considering the energy-draining midweek matches, it is unlikely we should expect open football with a high number of goals.
Köln vs Hoffenheim
Köln, who have not yet guaranteed themselves a calm end to the season, will host one of the Bundesliga’s brightest sides — Hoffenheim.
The Goats lead the relegation zone by only 4 points, while trailing the upper part of the table by the same margin — the mid-table density is extreme. In 2026 the team shows inconsistent results (2 wins, 1 draw, 4 defeats), but one trend remains stable — high scoring. In 6 of 7 matches in the new year, the bet “both teams to score + total over 2.5” landed. Köln allow opponents too much but also regularly create their own chances.
Hoffenheim, on the contrary, are in excellent form. Their only defeat in 2026 came against Bayern (1:5); in the other six matches — wins. The team is among the league’s most prolific (47 goals scored, the same as Borussia Dortmund), underlining their attacking power. At the same time, 28 conceded goals show the defence is not flawless, and the hosts will definitely have a chance.
The match looks favourable for continuing the goal trend. Köln need points to preserve their top-flight status, Hoffenheim need them to fight for European places. Tournament motivation on both sides minimises the chances of a closed scenario.
Match bet: Hoffenheim to Win + Both Teams to Score – Yes (odds 3.39)
I expect open football with chances at both ends and a win for the visitors.
Chelsea vs Burnley
Chelsea received a break between matches of more than a week for the first time in a long time, so the players were given a four-day holiday. The footballers spent it in good spirits, as — aside from the League Cup exit to Arsenal — the Blues have won seven of their last ten games across all competitions, scoring 18 goals in their last seven official matches.
Burnley’s mood is noticeably worse — the bottom-of-the-table side lost three of their last four official matches, including an FA Cup exit to third-division mid-table Mansfield. In their last five official games, Burnley conceded at least two goals each time.
Match bet: Both Teams to Score + Total Over 2.5 (odds 2.10)
Plenty of goals were also conceded in recent head-to-heads against Chelsea. I assume the upcoming game will end badly for the visitors too, though I believe in a goal from them.
Lens vs Monaco
League leaders Lens will host inconsistent but gradually progressing Monaco.
Last season the Monegasques finished third, while the Blood-and-Gold ended only eighth. Now the situation is almost mirrored — Lens top the table, showing remarkable stability.
In their last 15 matches across all competitions, Lens suffered only one defeat — to Marseille (1:3). At home the team looks even more convincing: their only home loss came at the start of the season (0:1 to Lyon), followed by 11 wins in 12 matches. Currently Lens have the best defence in Ligue 1 — only 17 goals conceded, which, combined with effective attacking play, delivers results.
Monaco played an emotional Champions League match midweek against Paris Saint-Germain (2:3). The Monegasques scored twice early but conceded before half-time. Early in the second half Monaco were reduced to ten men and, despite desperate fighting, could not hold on. An important point — in just four days they face a tough trip to Paris for the return leg, which inevitably affects energy distribution and concentration.
The first-leg match ended in a rout for Lens (4:1), though Monaco were down to ten men in the first half. An additional factor is the visitors’ injury issues — Monaco’s treatment room remains full, and squad depth may not suffice for two fronts.
Match bet: Lens to Win (odds 1.70)
Given Lens’ stability, strong home form and the opponent’s European workload, it is hard to find convincing arguments in favour of the visitors.
Osasuna vs Real Madrid
Osasuna are currently a typical mid-table side, sitting in 10th place with a zero goal difference. The high density in La Liga allows the Pamplona side to dream of the European top six, which is only 5 points away, while the relegation zone is 6 points behind. The team’s current form gives no cause for concern about survival: after exiting the Copa del Rey to Real Sociedad, the squad put together a five-match unbeaten run (3 wins and 2 draws).
The Whites secured a confident win over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League round of 32, beating the Eagles in their own den (1:0) and fully controlling the game for all 90 minutes. However, the main topic in the press was not the result but yet another scandal surrounding Vinícius Júnior. His goal celebration by the corner flag provoked a wave of criticism. The Brazilian’s dance prompted Benfica defender Nicolás Otamendi to show off his World Cup tattoo, reminding everyone of Argentina’s 2022 triumph.
Match bet: Real Madrid to Win (odds 1.73)
Despite the hosts having four extra days for recovery, the Royal Club’s class should prove decisive. Having capitalised on Barcelona’s slip-ups, Real have taken the lead in La Liga and are unlikely to give it up.
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund
The Red Bulls continue their fight for a top-four spot, and elimination by Bayern in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals allowed them to fully focus on the Bundesliga. However, their last home match against Wolfsburg was a cold shower for the fans. The league outsiders twice led in the second half, and only Bryan Gruda’s goal in the 89th minute saved Leipzig a draw (2:2). This result was a surprise for supporters who expected an easy three points.
Borussia Dortmund, on a run of six consecutive wins, reduced the gap to Munich to 6 points, fully reigniting the title race. The Yellows also created a comfortable handicap ahead of their trip to Bergamo, beating Atalanta in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs (2:0). Niko Kovač will have to distribute resources: Leipzig are traditionally dangerous at the Red Bull Arena, and the European tie with the Italians is far from over — any conceded goal could change the course of events.
Match bet: Total Under 3.5 (odds 1.77)
The odds on total in this match look quite attractive. Both teams play attacking football, but Borussia’s rationalism and desire to preserve energy before the trip to Italy may negatively affect the entertainment value of the game.
Manchester City vs Newcastle
Manchester City approach the match as one of the league leaders with a run of solid results. At home the team almost never drop points and regularly control the tempo through possession and pressure in the final third, which already brought them a confident win over the Magpies earlier this month. Even with squad absences, the game structure remains balanced, and the defence is reliable at home.
Newcastle sit in mid-table and show inconsistent form, conceding more than two goals on average in recent rounds. Away from home the visitors lose control and rarely succeed against leaders, while defensive personnel issues limit flexibility. An additional risk for the guests is the need to withstand prolonged positional pressure, which the team handles inconsistently this season.
Match bet: Manchester City to Win + Total Over 1.5 (odds 1.61)
Under these conditions, the hosts have more reason to dictate the script and hold initiative, making them favourites with a likely significant scoreline advantage.
Atalanta vs Napoli
One of the central matches of the Serie A round will take place in Bergamo, where Atalanta — who are closing in on the European zone — will host the reigning champions of Italy, Napoli.
The defeat to Borussia Dortmund was the Bergamaschi’s third consecutive loss in the Champions League. There is a high probability that their path in Europe’s most prestigious club tournament could end next week. Formally, the Goddess still has the Coppa Italia and the league, but obviously the team will try to seize their chance in Europe until the last. This factor may affect the balance of power against Napoli.
Unlike their opponents, Antonio Conte’s team is no longer burdened by European or cup matches. Important players remain in Napoli’s treatment room — including Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa — but for the first time in a long while, the team received a full seven-day break between Serie A rounds. Conte has repeatedly emphasised the overloaded calendar and players’ physical exhaustion, and now the schedule situation has significantly improved.
Match bet: Napoli Handicap (0) (odds 2.10)
In the first leg Napoli beat Atalanta 3:1. Given the hosts’ European workload and the extra preparation time for the visitors — which Conte has spoken about so often — the more logical option favours the Neapolitans. At the same time, considering the match’s status and the opponent’s strength, a more cautious choice is appropriate.
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Both London clubs finished in the top 5 of the Champions League League Phase table and advanced directly to the round of 16, bypassing the play-offs — with Arsenal taking first place. But in the Premier League, things are going very differently for the two London sides. While the Gunners lead the table, the Spurs are languishing among the outsiders.
Tottenham’s winless run in the Premier League now stands at eight matches. Only in the very first of those did the team keep a clean sheet (0:0 against Brentford). True, Arsenal also dropped too many points in this stretch: four draws, a defeat to Manchester United and only three wins.
Match bet: Both Teams to Score (odds 1.87)
The visit of the league leaders should inspire the home side to extraordinary effort. The visitors, after two draws, will also play only for the win. Accordingly, the likelihood of both teams scoring increases.
St. Pauli vs Werder Bremen
In Hamburg, a classic “six-pointer” will take place — the difference between the rivals is just 2 points, and both teams are fighting for survival.
If St. Pauli have at least once won in the new year, Werder can only dream of it — seven matches without a win. The head coach’s dismissal looked entirely logical, but it brought no instant effect: after the change, Werder suffered two more defeats. The team is in a psychologically difficult state, and confidence in their actions is frankly lacking.
Despite inconsistent results, in 2026 St. Pauli have not lost at home yet. Moreover, the Pirates managed to take points from European contenders such as Stuttgart (2:1) and RB Leipzig (1:1). For a club from the bottom of the table, this is a truly impressive result that underscores the power of the home factor.
Werder remain one of the Bundesliga’s worst away sides: 1 win, 3 draws and 7 defeats. The Green-Whites’ last victory came back in early November — statistics that add no optimism ahead of such a principled clash.
Match bet: Total Yellow Cards Over 3.5 (odds 1.70) Alternative bet: St. Pauli to win by exactly 1 goal or draw (odds 1.80)
In matches of this magnitude, where the cost of a mistake is extremely high, the level of physical battle and number of fouls usually increases. Given the tournament tension, I expect a tough and nervy encounter.
Celta Vigo vs Mallorca
Celta successfully began their round of 32 journey in the Europa League, beating PAOK away (2:1). The Spaniards dominated the first half, building a two-goal lead, but after the break the coaching staff rotated to preserve leaders for the league. This allowed the Greeks to pull one goal back and restore intrigue. In La Liga, the Sky Blues currently sit 7th, just one point off the European zone. Interestingly, this season Celta show far more convincing results away than at home.
Mallorca approach the game after two consecutive defeats to top-5 teams — Barcelona and Betis. The islanders are in 18th place, one point from safety (though Rayo Vallecano have a game in hand). After exiting the Copa del Rey to Deportivo, the only priority for the Palmers remains the fight to stay in the elite.
Match bet: Celta Vigo to win by exactly 1 goal or draw (odds 1.82)
Despite accumulated fatigue after the European away trip, Celta are fairly considered favourites. Home support and higher playing class should help the hosts at least avoid defeat in this match.