Champions League Matchday 3 Showdowns: Expert Predictions for Europe's Elite Clash

Tuesday didn't deliver a full evening of dramatic comebacks, though Sporting CP managed to create something magical in Lisbon, heartbreakingly ending Bodø/Glimt's Champions League dream run.

Chelsea and Manchester City appeared unmoved by Sporting's inspiring performance, as both exited the tournament against European giants with disappointing displays. City at least showed glimpses of potentially shocking Real Madrid, while the Blues failed to trouble the defending champions.

Nevertheless, Arsenal secured Premier League presence in the quarterfinals, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United still fighting for survival. It would require an extraordinary turnaround from Igor Tudor's Spurs, but this tournament has a history of producing the unexpected.

Here's how Sports Illustrated forecasts Wednesday's return fixtures will unfold.

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Barcelona vs. Newcastle United

Barcelona vs. Newcastle United

Wednesday's opening match could prove the most captivating of the evening, considering Newcastle United's display against the La Liga champions and current table-toppers last week.

Barça, victorious on Tyneside during the league phase opener, fell victim to the familiar pattern that many teams experience against Eddie Howe's Magpies under floodlights, yet they managed to leave England with a valuable result. Lamine Yamal's injury-time spot-kick ensures the tie remains level at 1-1.

Though Yamal's goal appears to give the Blaugrana the upper hand, Newcastle possess the ability to exploit Barça's clear weaknesses. Indeed, they seemed to establish a potential roadmap for success at the Camp Nou during Saturday's 1–0 triumph over Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Newcastle will need their finest European performance to progress.

Prediction: Barcelona 3–1 Newcastle

Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta

Bayern Munich vs. Atalanta

Bayern Munich delivered a spectacular performance in Bergamo last week, with their 6–1 triumph virtually securing their quarterfinal berth.

Vincent Kompany will miss several key performers from last week's display in Munich, including Michael Olise, but the Belgian was always planning significant rotation for the second leg. No team has ever overturned a five-goal Champions League deficit, and Atalanta won't achieve the impossible on Wednesday.

Still, La Dea has an opportunity to restore some pride. Raffaele Palladino will certainly return to a three-man defense after experimenting with 4-4-2 last week, and the visitors will also have Éderson and Charles De Ketelaere ready at the Allianz Arena.

Anticipate a much more balanced second leg, though it will likely carry an exhibition atmosphere.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 2–2 Atalanta

Liverpool vs. Galatasaray

Liverpool vs. Galatasaray

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

The crucial moment in the evening's later fixtures comes at Anfield, where Liverpool seek to overcome a 1–0 disadvantage against Galatasaray.

The Reds have now fallen twice at RAMS Park during this Champions League campaign, but Arne Slot's team could have easily left Istanbul with points despite a disappointing performance.

A narrow defeat wasn't catastrophic, but Liverpool have only twice recovered from losing the first leg of a knockout tie in this tournament. However, Galatasaray possess a poor away record against Europe's top clubs and relied almost entirely on home form during the league phase to reach the playoffs.

Their meltdown in Turin during the previous round will inspire the Reds, who urgently need a memorable Merseyside evening amid rising frustration at Anfield.

Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 (AET) Galatasaray

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Atlético Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Atlético Madrid

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Tottenham Hotspur's reckless collapse in the Spanish capital was extraordinary, with Antonin Kinsky's disastrous Champions League debut gifting Atlético Madrid a 3–0 advantage within 17 minutes.

His substitution following a terrible error, which allowed Julian Álvarez to score easily, prompted Igor Tudor to make changes, but the Czech's replacement, Guglielmo Vicario, couldn't prevent the hosts from adding a fourth shortly after.

A commendable fightback leaves them trailing 5–2 at halftime, and Atléti's struggles away from home, coupled with the morale-boosting result at Anfield, has convinced some supporters, whose hopes were shattered just 72 hours earlier, that Tudor's squad might achieve something special on Wednesday evening.

Many would settle for another victory, even if insufficient for advancement, to build momentum before their crucial Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Prediction: Tottenham 2–1 Atlético Madrid

Matchday 3/18 Predictions

Matchday 3/18 Predictions