UEFA Champions League: Upcoming Contenders for Leg 1 of 2

Past Challengers

What happened over the past weekdays in the Champions League 2025-26 season? Initially, La Liga’s Athletic Club lost 2-3 against Sporting, finishing for the full-time duration. A strong Liverpool rival defeated Qarabag FK 6-0 in the Champions League. In another La Liga match, Barcelona dominated Copenhagen 4-1, while PSG drew 1-1 with Newcastle. Inter is currently in the top spot in Serie A, and they are unbeaten 2-0 over Dortmund.

In the clashes between Serie A top clubs: Napoli lost 2-3 against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. In the EPL standings, the bottom club Tottenham defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0. On January 29, 2026, Leverkusen dominated Villarreal 3-0, and Arsenal was unbeaten 3-2 against Kairat. Finally, Bayern controlled 2-1 against PSV in the Champions League game.

Forthcoming Locks

Monaco vs PSG

Monaco will clash with PSG on February 17, 2026, at Stade Louis II, Monaco. They are meeting for leg 1 of 2 in the UEFA Champions League playoffs of the 2025-26 season.

Arise From

• AS Monaco-8th position in the Ligue 1.
• Paris Saint-Germain F.C.—2nd position in the Ligue 1.

Previous Game

In the Ligue 1 game, Monaco defeated Nantes 3-1 on February 14, 2026. Simon Adingra is an excellent player, and he scored twice. Denis Zakaria scored for Monaco. On the other hand, Fabien Centonze was the only scorer for the Nantes side. Monaco originated and gradually worked its way through the ranks in the Ligue 1 tournament. Additionally, this team is eligible to qualify for the Champions League playoffs. Monaco earned two consecutive wins, two draws, and only one loss in their last five games.

At an away game, PSG lost 1-3 against Rennes in the full-time game of Ligue 1. Meanwhile, the Rennes team scored an early goal by Musa Al-Taamari, and Esteban Lepaul saved his goal. After halftime, PSG was worried about their situation and needed to score a goal to keep the team in the game. Ousmane Dembele scored for PSG and is also one of the team’s excellent players. PSG are well-placed in Ligue 1 this season. Hence, PSG will likely achieve success in their upcoming matches.

Benfica vs Real Madrid

On February 17, 2026, Benfica and Real Madrid will face at Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal. Both teams are playing in the first leg of 2 in the Champions League 2025-26 showdown.

Arise From

• S.L. Benfica—3rd position in the Liga Portugal.
• Real Madrid CF—1st position in the La Liga.

Previous Game

Benfica started this game in outstanding domestic form, having won four of their last five fixtures and drawn one. They have managed two victories out of four, suffering two losses in the league phase standings at home games. Benfica’s expected lineup is Trubin, Dahl, T. Araujo, Otamendi, Dedic, Barreiro, Aursnes, Schjelderup, Sudakov, Prestianni, and Pavlidis.

Conversely, Real Madrid approaches bigger Champions League games in a better position, having won eight of 10 fixtures. In the European competition, they have showcased two wins and two defeats in their away history. Real Madrid is the first team to qualify for the Champions League playoffs. Real Madrid’s expected lineup is Courtois, Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, Guler, Vinicius, and Mbappe. As we conclude, Real Madrid will have a greater chance of holding on to a victory.

Qarabag FK vs Newcastle

At Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, Qarabag FK will face Newcastle on February 18, 2026. They have joined up for the playoffs in the UEFA Champions League.

Arise From

• Qarabag FK—2nd position in the Azerbaijan Premier League.
• Newcastle United F.C.—10th position in the English Premier League.

Previous Game

Qarabag FK defeated Mil-Mugan 1-0 in the Azerbaijan Premier League this season. Musa Qurbanlı scored for his team. They have played 20 fixtures, winning 14, drawing 3, and losing 3, which is impressive. In their last five matches, Qarabag FK has won four in a row and lost only once.

Compared to Newcastle, the club enters the UEFA Champions League competition in the lead. They were defeated by Aston Villa in the FA Cup game. Newcastle is currently placed in the middle of the Premier League (EPL) standings. They played 26 matches, winning 10, drawing 6, and losing 10, for a total of 36 points. According to their performances, Newcastle will have a slight edge.

Olympiacos vs Leverkusen

Olympiacos and Leverkusen will meet on February 18, 2026, at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Both teams will play in a Champions League playoff showdown.

Arise From

• Olympiacos F.C.—2nd position in the Super League Greece.
• Bayer 04 Leverkusen—6th position in the Bundesliga.

Previous Game

Olympiacos’s recent formation is 4-2-3-1, a possible lineup for the upcoming game. O. Bruno, G. Biancone, P. Retsos, Rodinei, S. Hezze, C. Mouzakitis, G. Martins, Chiquinho, Andre, and K. Tzolakis. This team has the strength to make a historic milestone in the tournament.

Correspondingly, Leverkusen’s formation is 3-4-2-1, and this is the predicted lineup. I. Maza, E. Poku, L. Vazquez, E. Palacios, A. Gracia, A. Grimaldo, J. Quansah, R. Andrich, E. Tapsoba, J. Blaswich. Some players, such as Mark Flekken (goalkeeper), have been affected by injuries. Nathan Tella (forward) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (forward) are out due to injuries. Thus, Olympiacos will have a home-turf advantage to take a win in their forthcoming matches.

Bodø/Glimt vs Inter

In the UEFA Champions League, Bodø/Glimt will encounter Inter. They are meeting on February 18, 2026, at Aspmyra Stadion in Norway.

Arise From

• FK Bodø/Glimt-2nd position in the Eliteserien.
• Inter Milan—1st position in the Serie A.

Previous Game

Bodø/Glimt hold a head-to-head clash with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. In the early stage, Athletico Madrid led Alexander Sørloth to scored goals. At the same time, Fredrik Sjøvold scored for Bodø/Glimt in the first half. Later, Atlético Madrid tried to score many goals but couldn’t get the ball over the net. Kasper Høgh scored his goal in the net for Bodø/Glimt. Finally, Bodø/Glimt defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 in that game.

Inter faced Sassuolo on February 8, 2026, in a Serie A game. Yann Aurel Bisseck scored his goal on the net, and Marcus Thuram also scored on the net for Inter. Meanwhile, Sassuolo worries about their opponent’s goal in early situations. Sassuolo tried several times to score, but Nemanja Matic received a red card. Inter completed a full-time 5-0 victory against Sassuolo in the Serie A fixture. So, Inter will follow the same tactics and move to steal a triumph.

Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Club Brugge will face Atlético Madrid on February 18, 2026, at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges. Both teams are playing in the UEFA Champions League showdown.

Arise From

• Club Brugge KV-3rd position in the Belgian Pro League.
• Atletico de Madrid—4th position in La Liga.

Previous Game

The Club Brugge formation is 4-2-3-1, and this is a possible lineup. Mignolet, Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, Sabbe, Onyedika, Stankovic, Diakhon, Vanaken, Forbes, Tresoldi. They sustained major injuries. Dani van den Heuvel is due to knock, and he is doubtful. Lynnt Audoor is dealing with a muscle issue and is questionable for the upcoming game. Atletico Madrid’s formation is 4-4-2, and here is the predicted lineup. Oblak, Molina, Gimenez, Pubill, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman, Griezmann, and Alvarez. This club has only one player with an injury report remaining; all others are ready to face their opponent. Pablo Barrios suffered a thigh injury and will re-enter in late February 2026. As a result, Atletico Madrid will have more chances to secure a victory.