Football tips for 18 Mar 2026: Analysis of 3 key matches to watch, Liverpool's UCL prospects, and today's football schedule.
On 18 March 2026, football tips focus on the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg, which will decide who advances or is eliminated. Particularly spotlighting three English Premier League teams—Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur—here is the analysis and predictions for these three notable matches.
- UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
The Reds suffered the same 0-1 defeat to Galatasaray as in the group stage and were recently held 1-1 at home by relegation-threatened Tottenham, increasing pressure on manager Arne Slot after winning only one of their last four games in all competitions (two losses, one draw). However, their European record at Anfield remains strong, with 15 wins in their last 19 matches and a 5-1 home record against Turkish teams (one draw). Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konaté, who were substitutes last match, will return to the starting lineup.
Galatasaray have reached the knockout stages in European home-and-away ties 14 times out of their last 17 occasions when winning the first leg at home. Yet their away record in the UCL is poor, losing 19 of their last 23 matches (2 wins, 2 draws), and having won only once in 12 visits to English teams (8 losses, 3 draws). They have kept just 3 clean sheets in their last 33 European matches, with two of those clean sheets against Liverpool this season. They did not concede in their last three games before this one, but Liverpool are likely to fight back and narrowly advance.
Prediction Liverpool to claim victory and progress.
- UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
The Magpies nearly pulled off an upset against the Blaugrana in the first leg but conceded a penalty late in the game. Eddie Howe's squad performed well recently, beating Chelsea away for the first time in 14 years and keeping a clean sheet for the first time in 14 matches across all competitions. Additionally, key midfielder Sandro Tonali has recovered from illness. However, their European away form in Spain remains concerning, having lost 4 of their last 5 trips.
Barcelona aim to reach the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year and have a strong record: in their last 29 UCL matches, they failed to score only once, which was a 0-3 loss at Chelsea this season. They have advanced from 23 of their last 29 home-and-away knockout ties after drawing the first leg away, and have won 22 of their last 37 home games against English teams (2 losses, 13 draws). Lamine Yamal, who was a substitute in the 5-2 win over Sevilla, is fit and ready to join Rafinha in finishing off Newcastle.
Prediction Barcelona to secure victory and advance.
- UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
The Spurs recently earned a morale boost by drawing 1-1 with Liverpool in the league, ending a six-match losing streak and earning their first points under new coach Igor Tudor. However, overturning a three-goal deficit against Atletico Madrid will be challenging. Tottenham have beaten Spanish teams in Europe only 3 times in their last 16 attempts. Although Mickey van de Ven returns from suspension to strengthen the defense, Richarlison—the hero who equalized against Liverpool—is suspended for the UCL, and injuries still sideline 13 players.
Atletico Madrid hold a strong aggregate lead and have lost only one of their last eight matches in all competitions (6 wins, 1 draw). In the UCL round of 16, they've won 7 of their last 11 ties. Against English opponents in European knockout stages over the last 14 meetings, they have won 10 times. Despite missing first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak due to injury, Atletico only have three players sidelined overall. If forwards Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Ademola Lookman avoid mistakes, they are likely to secure another victory.
Prediction Atletico Madrid to eliminate Tottenham and advance.