Leagues Cup Quarterfinals Begin Tonight: Expert Soccer Picks for 8/25
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Tue Aug 25, 2026, 2:25 pm ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
soccer
Tuesday has a plethora of soccer action across the entire world. This afternoon brings us some Carabao Cup, UEFA Champions League Qualifiers, as well as a standalone La Liga match as well. However I will focus on this evening as the Leagues Cup makes its return to our screens. After the first phase of this tournament, only eight sides remain as the quarterfinals are set. Let's see who will move on with tonight's expert soccer picks.
Head over to our MLS Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Leagues Cup: Tuesday's Predictions August 25
The knockout rounds will play exactly like the matches in Phase 1. Teams will only play 90 minutes on the field, regardless of the result. Following a draw, they will go directly into a penalty kick shootout to decide a winner. In addition, these are single elimination knockout matches, not two leg contests.
It's win tonight or go home.
Monterrey vs. Chicago Fire Leagues Cup Picks
Robert Lewandowski and the Chicago Fire face Monterrey at home in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals
Best Bet: Chicago Fire +0.5/Over 2.5 (+130) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Chicago has the benefit of playing this match at home, but there are some interesting narratives surrounding this match. Hugo Cuypers had 17 goals last season for Chicago, 10 the year before that, and he had 13 in just 11 starts this MLS season before they traded him away to Monterrey, to make room for Robert Lewandowski. Now the 29 year old Belgian striker returns to face his former club. I will be on him to score or assist for +130 as I expect goals in this game.
And so do the books. The over 2.5 is priced at -160, with both teams to score listed at -200. Take what they are giving you, and pair the over with Chicago to at least force a shootout. The Fire won six straight before drawing with the Red Bulls on the road last Saturday. Lewandowski did not play, perhaps in preparation of this contest.
As for Monterrey, after two wins in the Leagues Cup, they beat Juarez 6-1 at home and lost to León 2-0 on the road. I have a feeling they were much more focused on this competition, as the whole team tries to help Cuypers get his revenge. I think they score but come up short, resulting in the Fire moving on.
Prediction: Chicago Fire Win 3-1 (+1600)
León vs. Real Salt Lake Leagues Cup Picks
Diego Luna has two assists in three matches for Real Salt Lake in the Leagues Cup. Can he add to the scoresheet tonight in the quarterfinals?
Best Bet: Real Salt Lake to Advance/Under 4.5 (-114) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The best I could come up with in this second Leagues Cup Quarterfinal match was this same game parlay for a bit of juice. For whatever reason, Chicago gets to host Monterrey, but Real Salt Lake and León meet on a neutral site at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, outside of Denver. Give me RSL to move on. I think they care much more about this tournament.
León is on a six game winning streak, which is why I am avoiding taking the MLS side to win in 90 minutes. They are known for shutting out their opponents, which is why I lean with this inflated under. Real Salt Lake drew with Tigres in their Leagues Cup opener, but followed it up with two shutout wins. After a heartbreaking loss on Saturday where they were singlehandedly taken down by Antoine Griezmann of Orlando City, I expect them to bring some extra fire in this match.
Prediction: Real Salt Lake Wins 2-1 (+750)
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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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