Qarabag FK vs Newcastle United: Champions League play-off preview, predictions & bet builder tips

• Ladbrokes previews the Champions League play-off first leg between Qarabag FK and Newcastle United

• The Magpies are tipped to win on the night, taking an advantage back to England for the second leg

• Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon expected to impress in Azerbaijan

Ladbrokes shares its Qarabag vs Newcastle preview ahead of the Champions League play-off first leg in Azerbaijan, with predictions, bet builder tips, and live odds.

The Magpies travel to Baku in positive mood after their FA Cup victory at Villa Park on Saturday, and are on the hunt for three away wins in as many matches.

Qarabag have also put together a little run of late, winning their last three, so despite conceding six to Liverpool at the end of January, the hosts will be confident of taking a result to St. James' Park for next week's second leg.

Below, you can find our expert Qarabag vs Newcastle Bet Builder for Wednesday's clash, with the visitors tipped to leave Azerbaijan with one foot in the round of 16.

• Fixture: Qarabag FK vs Newcastle United

• Competition: Champions League play-off (first leg)

• Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

• Kick off: 17:45 GMT

• Venue: Azersun Arena

Our prediction: Qarabag FK 0-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle's away form had been their undoing before the last week, but wins at Spurs and Villa have massively changed the conversation, and the in-form Magpies should be far too strong for Qarabag on Wednesday night.

Qarabag have had mixed fortunes against Premier League sides this season, drawing with Chelsea but getting thrashed by Liverpool, and we think it'll be another disappointing night for them at the Azersun Arena - with Newcastle heading back to England with a crucial lead under their belts.

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Kochalski / Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, Jafarquliyev / Bicalho, Jankovic / Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir / Duran

Predicted lineup (4-3-3): Pope / Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall / Tonali, Willock, Ramsey / Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon

Despite only picking up a few goal contributions in an underwhelming Premier League campaign so far, Anthony Gordon has excelled on the Champions League stage, and we're backing him to add to his impressive tally in Azerbaijan on Wednesday night.

The winger's six goals in the UCL league phase helped Newcastle secure their place in the play-offs with relative comfort, and having registered a goal or assist in his last two Premier League games, Gordon does seem to be hitting a bit of form at the perfect time for his team.

The Englishman will be one of the players looking to step up in the absence of skipper Bruno Guimaraes, and with his goal record in Europe already proving strong, we're tipping him to find the net again at the Azersun Arena.

Speaking of players looking to step up in the absence of Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali will be tasked with keeping the Newcastle midfield in shape for the next couple of months, and having starred with a brace in the FA Cup on Saturday, we're tipping the Italian to have at least one shot on target vs Qarabag.

Yet to score for Newcastle in the Champions League, Tonali has never needed to be a major source of goals for Eddie Howe's side, but with such significant output now missing from the team, the 25-year-old could well get the opportunity to progress up the pitch more regularly.

Averaging more than a shot on target every other game in the UCL, Tonali's never shy about letting fly, and with sky-high confidence from his high-scoring weekend, we're tipping 1+ shots on target for the midfielder here.

Flipping our attention to the hosts, and we're expecting Qarabag to have a lot of defending to do on Wednesday night, with a determined Newcastle side looking to kill the tie in the first leg - so we're tipping a card for combative right-back Matheus Silva.

No Qarabag player has more yellow cards in the Champions League this season than Silva's two, and with the Brazilian averaging nearly three tackles per 90, his involvement in defensive actions makes him a smart pick here - particularly against the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.

It could be a frustrating night for the hosts, and with such a committed approach, we're tipping Matheus Silva to pick up a booking.

Bringing a close to our Qarabag vs Newcastle preview and predictions, we're backing Newcastle to win in Azerbaijan and take an all-important advantage back to St. James' Park ahead of next week's Champions League play-off second leg.

Eddie Howe's side only won one game on their travels in the league phase, dismantling Union Saint-Gilloise in October, but recent away wins on the domestic front have reignited belief in Newcastle's season, and they should prove far too strong for Qarabag.

The Magpies are heavy favourites to progress to the round of 16, and we think a comfortable two-legged tie will begin with a vital victory on Wednesday night.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.