UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 2/18

The road to European glory narrows again on Wednesday as the Champions League playoffs open their two-leg first chapters, stretching from the shores of the Caspian to the Arctic Circle and back to the beer halls of Germany. After Tuesday’s high-stakes dress rehearsal—Real Madrid’s reunion with José Mourinho and Victor Osimhen’s reminder to Juventus—Matchday 2/18 offers four fresh narratives, each carrying the weight of history and the chill of midwinter.

Qarabağ vs. Newcastle United History-makers from Azerbaijan, Qarabağ arrive as the first team from the nation ever to string together consecutive Champions League victories, riding a ten-point league-phase haul that few foresaw. Their recent form is uneven—three defeats in four UCL outings—but the 2-1 penultimate-day triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt secured passage and belief. A 1-1 home result against Chelsea in the autumn showed their capacity to frustrate bigger names, and Newcastle’s travel sickness—despite creditable away results lately—invites the hosts to dream of taking a lead to Tyneside. Eddie Howe’s Magpies regained momentum after a sticky start to 2026 and left Paris with a 1-1 draw on Matchday 8, yet the suspension of midfield linchpin Bruno Guimarães tilts the balance toward the Azerbaijani underdogs.

Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter Milan North of the Arctic Circle, Bodø/Glimt will kick off in sub-zero conditions that even grizzled Internazionale veterans may find surreal. The Norwegian novices were left for dead on three points through six league-phase matches, needing miracles against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. They delivered both: a 3-1 rout of City and a comeback win at the Metropolitano, all while their domestic season remains shuttered until March. Cristian Chivu, now guiding Inter, was a player in José Mourinho’s 2009-10 treble side that navigated similar frosty outposts en route to the trophy; Wednesday’s first leg will awaken those memories. Inter’s talent is obvious, but Bodø’s direct style and frozen stage level the ledger.

Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid In Bruges, Ivan Leko has polished the sturdy foundation left by Nicky Hayen, mastermind of last season’s playoff upset of Atalanta. Atlético arrive erratic: a 4-0 Copa del Rey demolition of Barcelona followed a 3-0 league loss to struggling Rayo Vallecano, though Diego Simeone rotated heavily at the weekend, prioritizing continental silverware. The Belgian champions press high, move the ball quickly and believe another Spanish scalp is within reach; Atlético’s street-smart tournament know-how makes for a fascinating tactical duel.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos Finally, at the BayArena, Leverkusen seek redemption after Olympiacos punished their lone off-night in the league phase, scoring twice from two shots to steal a 2-1 win in Athens. Since that setback, Kasper Hjulmand’s side have won five of six across all competitions and welcome back a clean bill of health. Opposite them stands José Luis Mendilibar, architect of Sevilla’s Europa League triumph, who has drilled his Greek charges into a compact, counter-punching unit. Leverkusen’s fluid attacking waves against Olympiacos’ disciplined shell could decide the tie before the return leg in Piraeus.

Across the continent, the Champions League’s winter warriors prepare for 90 minutes that can tilt an entire season. From Baku’s oil-rich breezes to Bodø’s snow-laden skies, the drama of Matchday 2/18 is poised to deliver another unforgettable European night.