Champions League nights: Accumulator Tips for SEPTEMBER 18 2025

The Champions League continues on Thursday with Manchester City taking on Napoli, Newcastle will face a Barcelona team without Lamine Yamal, and Frankfurt will welcome Galatasaray on their first game in the Champions League this season. Barcelona, who were eliminated in the semi-finals against Inter Milan, who went ahead to lose woefully to PSG in the finals, will be hoping to secure a positive outcome in this year’s Champions League. The stage is set, and we envisage a high-scoring affair across these matches. Let's analyze the teams’ forms, key stats, and my opinion on the upcoming game. 

Man City vs Napoli

Kevin De Bruyne will make a fast return to Etihad, less than a year after his move to Italy to join Napoli. He will play against his former side in their Champions League opener on Thursday. This is the first meeting between the teams since the 2017/2018 season, where they met in this group stage of this competition, and Man City thrashed Napoli in both legs. After suffering back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Brighton, Pep Guardiola’s boys bounced back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory in the Manchester Derby. Phil Foden and Erling Haaland scored the goals that sent Man City to victory. 

After winning their second Serie A title in three seasons, Napoli have made an incredible start to their title defence, winning their first three games in the Serie A, and sitting comfortably at the top of the League. In their last league game, they eased past Florentina by a 1-3 scoreline, with De Bruyne getting his name on the scoresheet once again. Napoli will be hoping to make a statement win against Man City on Thursday, while Pep Guardiola knows he might have trouble on his hands. 

Man City vs Napoli probable lineup;

Man City's possible Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Donnarumma— Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake—Rodri, Gonzalez —Savinho, Foden, Doku —Haaland

Head Coach: Pep Guardiola

Napoli's possible Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1)

Milinkovic-Savic— Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola—Lobotka,—Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay ,—Hojlund

Head Coach: Antonio Conte

• Bet: 2TO 0.5 goals

Newcastle vs Barcelona

Another fine Champions League contest takes place at St James. Park with Newcastle preparing to take on Barcelona. The teams lock horns for the first time since 2003, when Barcelona won in the return leg. Newcastle is still trying to adapt to life without Aleksander Isak, who was sold to Liverpool on deadline day. Newcastle have had a mix in the just commenced Premier League, only managing to secure their first win of the season against Wolves last weekend, with new signing Woltemade scoring the only goal of the game. They now have a record of a win, two draws, and one loss in the League. Newcastle will be hoping to make a fine comeback to the Champions League after they were eliminated in the Group stage of last season’s edition. 

After winning the second LaLiga title in three seasons, Barcelona have made an incredible start to their title defence, winning three of the four league games they’ve played in the just commenced league. They are not where they intend to be as they are two points behind their arch-rivals and league leaders, Real Madrid. Barcelona had an amazing run in the Champions League last season, losing to Inter Milan in the semi-finals in a dramatic fashion. Barcelona will be without Lamine Yamal, who suffered a groin injury and is expected to miss their next three games.

Newcastle vs Barcelona probable lineup;

Newcastle's possible Starting Lineup (4-3-3)

Pope— Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento— Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton—Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Head Coach: Eddie Howe

Barcelona's possible Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Joan Garcia— Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin— Casado, Pedri,—Rashford, Raphinha, Fermin—Lewandowski

Head Coach: Hans Flick

• Bet: X2

Frankfurt vs Galatasaray

Frankfurt will make a second return to the Champions League campaign as they prepare to take on Galatasaray in their Champions League opener on Thursday,where they’ll prepare to take on Galatasaray in their Champions League opener. The 2022 Europa League winners have had a great start to life in the Bundesliga, losing just one of the first three games they played. 

Galatasaray is blazing in the league with three consecutive league titles on its sleeve. The last time they played at this stage was in the 23/24 season, where they finished third, progressing to the Europa League's first phase. Buruk’s side has made an incredible start to the newly commenced league with five consecutive league wins in the five league games they’ve played this season. Victor Osimhen, who has been a force in Galatasaray, is doubtful for this game, but we believe Gala will go all out for the win. 

• Bet: 2TO 3.5 corners