There’s still a long way to go in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, but only six teams are taking a perfect 2-0 record into Matchday 3. One of those teams is Qarabag, which managed an incredible two-goal comeback against Benfica on the first matchday. Ahead of this week’s action, we’ll make our prediction for Qarabag’s match against Athletic Club and share our best bets for all 18 games.
Some of the headline games of the Matchday include Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid vs Juventus. Real’s Kylian Mbappe has scored five times through just two UCL matches and is on an 11-game scoring streak for club and country. Stay tuned for predictions and the best bets involving Mbappe and more.
1. Barcelona vs Olympiacos – Tuesday, 12:45 pm EDT
Olympiacos are yet to score in the Champions League, but Arsenal had to work incredibly hard for a 2-0 win over the Greek side. Barcelona are missing Robert Lewandowski and possibly Raphinha for this one. So, I’d go with Olympiacos +2.5 at -180 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
2. Kairat vs Pafos – Tuesday, 12:45 pm EDT
Kazakh side Kairat have conceded nine times in their first two Champions League matches. Meanwhile, Pafos are on a six-game scoring streak, in all competitions. Go with Pafos (+175) to grab a road win in Almaty on Tuesday.
3. Newcastle vs Benfica – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Jose Mourinho and Benfica return to England for a second straight Champions League matchday. Mourinho lost 1-0 to his former club Chelsea last time out, but Benfica have only conceded three goals in six games under him. Newcastle have also kept two clean sheets in their last three matches, in all competitions. I like under 2.5 goals (+110) for this one.
4. PSV vs Napoli – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Napoli have lost their last three road matches heading into this one. Antonio Conte’s side fell 1-0 to Torino over the weekend and are looking to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time since December 2024. Anything can happen in this one, as both teams have scored in six of PSV’s last seven games. Take a chance on over 3.5 goals at +164 odds.
5. Bayer Leverkusen vs PSG – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
With captain Marquinhos out, PSG conceded three goals in a draw against Strasbourg on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen won a seven-goal thriller against Union Berlin over the weekend. Go with both teams to score here, even with PSG’s Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele out, at -165 odds at BetMGM.
6. Union Saint-Gilloise vs Inter Milan – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Inter Milan are really starting to hit their stride now as the Nerazzurri have won six straight games, in all competitions, and are looking like a Serie A contender again. Meanwhile, USG lost 4-0 to Newcastle in their last UCL match. One of the best bets here is Inter Milan to win at -145.
7. Copenhagen vs Borussia Dortmund – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Only Bayern Munich have matched Borussia Dortmund’s eight goals through two Champions League games. Coincidentally, Dortmund lost 2-1 to Bayern over the weekend, but should bounce back here. Do a Same Game Parlay (BetMGM) on Dortmund to win and over 2.5 goals at +185 odds.
8. Villarreal vs Manchester City – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Erling Haaland has been on a ridiculous run of form for Manchester City and Norway. Haaland scored twice in Man City’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, his 21st goal in his last 11 games. One of the best bets here is taking Haaland to extend his scoring streak to 12 games, at -125.
9. Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid – Tuesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Arsenal’s defense is the best in Europe, as the Gunners have conceded just three goals in 11 games this season. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is going to fight defense with defense here, and we could be in for quite a low-scoring and choppy match. Take a chance on under 1.5 goals at +265 odds.
10. Athletic Club vs Qarabag – Wednesday, 12:45 pm EDT
This is a must-win game for Athletic Club, as they have dropped their first two UCL matches. Qarabag’s luck may come to an end here, and the La Liga side should get their first three points of the competition. Bet on Athletic Club to win and keep a clean sheet at +115 SGP odds.
11. Galatasaray vs Bodo/Glimt – Wednesday, 12:45 pm EDT
Galatasaray should feel confident after a 1-0 win over struggling Liverpool last Matchday. Still, Bodo/Glimt have managed two 2-2 draws in their first games, including against Tottenham. I think the value here is on another draw (+360).
12. Chelsea vs Ajax – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Ajax have conceded nine goals on their three-game winless streak and have been outscored 6-0 in their first two Champions League matches. Chelsea are coming off a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and should win even without Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez again. I’d go with Chelsea -1.5 (-154).
13. Real Madrid vs Juventus – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
This is the most-anticipated match of the Wednesday slate, as Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe looks to add to his five-goal tally from his first two UCL games. Juventus succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Como on Sunday, and playing at the Santiago Bernabeu is not going to be any easier. Take Real to win, and improve to 3-0, and Mbappe to score at +115 SGP odds.
14. Sporting vs Marseille – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Marseille moved ahead of PSG in Ligue 1 on Saturday with a 6-2 win over Le Havre in which Mason Greenwood scored four times. OM are on a roll, with five straight wins ahead of their game at Sporting on Wednesday. Why not take a chance on Marseille (+220), who defeated Ajax 4-0 a few weeks ago, to extend their streak.
15. Monaco vs Tottenham – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
AS Monaco have conceded in every single game they’ve played this season, while Tottenham have conceded in five of their last six. One of the best bets in this one is both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at -126 SGP odds with FanDuel.
16. Atalanta vs Slavia Prague – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Keep this one simple and just bet on Atalanta to win, at -190 odds. Slavia Prague have lost four of their last five road matches in UEFA competitions and fell 3-0 to Inter Milan on the last Matchday.
17. Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Liverpool have lost four games in a row, their longest losing streak for 38 years. Eintracht Frankfurt destroyed Galatsaray 5-1 on the first UCL Matchday before falling 5-1 to Atletico Madrid on the next. This could be a wild game with plenty of goals and I’d bet on over 4.5 goals at +235 odds.
18. Bayern Munich vs Club Brugge – Wednesday, 3:00 pm EDT
Bayern Munich have opened up their 2025-26 campaign with 11 straight wins. That winning streak is not coming to an end on Wednesday. Harry Kane has been on the scoresheet in seven straight games for Bayern. So, one of the best bets here is taking the English international to score and Bayern -1.5 at -113 odds.
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