Champions League 2025-26 - 3rd Qualifying Round Second Leg Showdowns That Could Shock Europe
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Rangers in the driver’s seat heading to Plzen
The biggest margin of victory in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round came from the Ibrox Stadium, where Rangers clinched a commanding 3-0 lead in their tie against Czech First League giants Viktoria Plzen last week.
Summer signing Djeidi Gassama has made a stunning start to life in Glasgow, having scored in all three of the team’s Champions League matches this season, including a brace either side of a Cyriel Dessers penalty in their first-leg victory.
The 21-year-old forward is priced up at a mouth-watering 4.00 to score or assist in the second leg, and you can find all our experts’ thoughts and insights on how this clash will pan out using our Viktoria Plzen vs Rangers Prediction.
Benfica extend impressive record against French teams
Benfica, last season’s runners-up in the Primeira Liga, continued their excellent form against sides from Ligue 1 by securing a 2-0 win over OGC Nice on their trip to the Allianz Riviera last week, thanks to goals by Franjo Ivanovic and Florentino Luis.
That result marked the 21st time in which As Aguias got the better of a French team in European competition, more than teams from any other nation. It has also tossed Nice’s hopes of reaching their first UEFA Champions League main draw into serious doubt.
Back at the Estadio da Luz this week, our tipsters are firmly in the corner of Benfica to secure their spot in the Play-off round, according to their Benfica Lisbon vs Nice prediction, but an early goal from the visitors could turn this tie on its head.
Moussa magic gives Feyenood the advantage over Mourinho’s men
Arguably, the most dramatic end to the third qualifying round first leg matches last week came from Rotterdam, where Anis Hadj Moussa struck the back of the net in the 91st minute to edge Fenerbahce 2-1 after Sofyan Amrabat cancelled out a Mert Mulder own-goal minutes earlier.
While Robin van Persie’s side now have the advantage heading to Istanbul this week, Jose Mourinho’s men are certainly not out of this tie, as they were the better side for large parts of the first leg, especially during the early stages of the match.
Based on our Fenerbahce vs Feyenoord prediction, there are goals expected in this matchup. Indeed, the Yellow Canaries have scored two or more goals in 11 of their last 15 competitive home games, and they will need to continue that impressive record to get themselves back in this tie.
Brugge hoping to battle back against Red Bulls in Belgium
Our Club Brugge vs Salzburg prediction suggests that the upper hand lies with this week’s home side at the Jan Breydel Stadium after they claimed a 1-0 advantage through Romeo Vermant in Wals-Siezenheim during the first leg.
However, this tie feels as though it’s far from over, as the Austrian side were more than competitive in the first leg and created the bulk of the chances in the match, registering a total of 20 attempts on goal and forcing five saves from Simon Mignolet.
It was Salzburg’s first-ever loss against a team from Belgium, but they bounced back from the result in fine style, smashing in five goals without response against GAK this past weekend.
