2025-26 UCL Knockout Play-Offs: First Leg – Qarabag vs Newcastle

Qarabag meet Newcastle in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. 

Qarabag qualified for this tie with a 22nd-placed finish in the league phase, whilst Newcastle finished 12th after a 1-1 draw at PSG cost both teams automatic qualification for the Round of 16.

 

Team News

Qarabag have no fresh injury concerns but goalkeeper, Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev is ruled out with an unspecified injury.

Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns after their 3-1 victory at Aston Villa in the FA Cup, but manager – Eddie Howe will welcome Joelinton back from a groin injury.

Yoane Wissa (knock), Sven Botman (back), Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley (both knee), Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento (both hamstring) and Fabian Schar (ankle) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Qarabag meet Newcastle at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan, on Wednesday 18 February at 9:45pm AZT (5:45pm GMT), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Qarabag’s first-ever meeting against Newcastle in all competitions.
• Newcastle are making their first-ever visit to Qarabag in all competitions.
• Qarabag are yet to beat English opposition at home across all UEFA competitions (D1, L3).
• Newcastle are meeting Azerbaijan-based opposition for the first time in their history.

 

Prediction

Having scraped through to this stage of the competition largely on their home form in which they scored at least twice in their last six Champions League matches on their own turf, Qarabag definitely can’t be underestimated despite their awful home record against English opposition.

Newcastle meanwhile aren’t exactly the finest away from home this season but with two away wins in separate competitions this past week, there is reasons for them to be optimistic especially after their second-half comeback at Villa with the extra-man advantage.

Baku though is a fairly warmer environment compared to the UK at this time of year in terms of temperature but the temperatures at kick-off are forecast to be slightly chilly, which might suit Newcastle but I do think that their priority has to be on grinding out a draw and limiting Qarabag and finish the job at home.

Prediction: Qarabag 1-1 Newcastle

Result: Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle