Error code: %{errorCode}
Arduous trek for Magpies and Norwegian minnows seeking another fairytale - Wednesday's Champions League talking points
Newcastle United face a gruelling journey to Azerbaijan for the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag tonight.
Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt host Serie A leaders Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid travel to Club Brugge and Olympiakos face Bayer Leverkusen.
Here, DAZN News assesses the four ties ahead of a mouthwatering night of Champions League play-off action.
Arduous trek for Magpies
Newcastle United’s journey of 2,529 miles to Qarabag will be the longest ever distance travelled by an English team for a Champions League away match.
Eddie Howe’s side would no doubt have preferred facing opponents closer to home rather than deepest, darkest Azerbaijan.
But that is the price they have paid for failing to qualify automatically for the last 16 and Qarabag could prove tricky opponents.
The Azerbaijani champions are winless in four home games against English sides in Europe, losing and failing to score in three of those.
But their most recent encounter with English opposition saw them hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw earlier this season and other notable results include winning at Benfica, and beating Copenhagen and Eintrahct Frankfurt at home.
You suspect Newcastle would take a draw tonight before the decisive second leg at a packed St James’ Park next Tuesday.
Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Norwegian minnows aiming for another fairytale
Last month, Champions League debutants Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City 3-1 to register one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history.
They ended the league phase in 23rd place and tonight host Italian aristocrats Inter Milan in the first leg of their play-off for a place in the last 16.
Few will give the Norwegian minnows – based in the small fishing town of Bodo, 200km north of the Arctic Circle – much of a chance against the runaway Serie A leaders.
But they have proved no mugs on their Champions League bow this season, losing just three of their five league phase games and recording two victories in their final two games.
Having claimed that stunning win over Pep Guardiola’s millionaires, the Norwegian side went to Atletico Madrid and won 2-1 in the Spanish capital eight days later to seal their play-off spot.
(C)Getty images
Atletico big favourites to see off Brugge
Atletico Madrid finished 14th in the league phase of the Champions League after an inconsistent campaign and now there is no margin for error in the play-offs.
Diego Simeone’s men will be widely expected to negotiate a safe passage past Club Brugge who finished 19th after the eight league phase games.
Atletico are way off the title pace in La Liga – a whopping 15 points behind leaders Barcelona – and failure to reach the last 16 of the Champions League would be unthinkable for the Spanish giants.
Tonight’s first leg in Belgium should be an intriguing affair ahead of next week’s return clash in Madrid.
Getty Images
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Olympiakos can be a hostile environment for visiting teams but Bayer Leverkusen head to Athens this evening in decent form.
Although they are down in sixth place in the Bundesliga, the German outfit are unbeaten in six games and have won five of them.
It promises to be a close-fought affair over two legs with Leverkusen having finished just two places above Olympiakos in the league phase.
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 17 February
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Wednesday, 18 February
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
How to watch in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
