The Champions League continues tonight with another nine fixtures as Matchday 3 of the league phase reaches its conclusion. Following Tuesday’s action, Wednesday brings another fascinating programme featuring some of Europe’s biggest clubs, several intriguing underdogs and a number of teams already under pressure to secure valuable points.
The headline fixture sees Bayern München welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena, with both clubs looking to strengthen their position in the competition. Real Madrid host RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Manchester United travel to Italy for an intriguing encounter with Como. Aston Villa will be looking to maintain their excellent European form when Norwegian side Viking FK visit Villa Park.
Elsewhere, Inter Milan face Shakhtar Donetsk, Lille take on Galatasaray, and Club Brugge meet Lens in Belgium. Real Betis entertain Feyenoord, while Sporting CP will hope to make home advantage count against Austrian visitors LASK Linz.
At OddsFactory, we’ve examined all nine fixtures, assessing recent performances, attacking strengths, defensive weaknesses and the factors that could influence tonight’s results. Below, you’ll find our match-by-match analysis, predictions and recommended betting selections, together with links to our detailed previews and the relevant markets at Coolbet.
Wednesday, 21 October · 17:45 UK · Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia
Our considerations
Como have already shown they belong on the Champions League stage, having opened their European campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Although their subsequent defeat to Feyenoord demonstrated that there is still work to be done, Cesc Fàbregas has developed a side capable of playing ambitious football against considerably more established opposition. Their movement in possession and willingness to attack should make this a demanding evening for Manchester United.
United arrive under considerable pressure following a difficult domestic start and their Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid. Injuries and suspensions have further complicated Michael Carrick’s preparations, while the team’s defensive performances have offered little reassurance. The visitors possess sufficient individual quality to threaten Como, but their recent inability to control matches makes them difficult to support as favourites.
Read our full Como vs Manchester United preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Como have a genuine opportunity to exploit United’s defensive uncertainty, particularly on home territory. The visitors should still create chances, making goals at both ends an attractive option. Our tip: Both Teams to Score.
Wednesday, 21 October · 17:45 UK · Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Our considerations
Lille have endured a difficult start to their Champions League campaign, losing to Real Betis and Arsenal while conceding six goals across those two fixtures. Their performances have highlighted problems at both ends of the pitch, with defensive mistakes making it difficult to build momentum. Returning to home territory provides an opportunity to respond, but Lille will need to show greater discipline against opponents who are equally desperate for European points.
Galatasaray have also lost their opening two matches, suffering defeats against Sporting CP and Barcelona. Their attacking ambitions have not been matched by defensive stability, and the Turkish visitors have found themselves exposed when facing opponents who move the ball quickly. Both teams should regard this as a realistic opportunity to register their first points, which could encourage a more adventurous approach than their recent results might suggest.
Read our full Lille vs Galatasaray preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Neither side has defended convincingly in Europe, and both have reasons to approach this fixture positively. A contest featuring opportunities at both ends appears more likely than a tightly controlled encounter. Our tip: Both Teams to Score.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Villa Park
Our considerations
Aston Villa have made an outstanding start to their Champions League campaign, following victory over Club Brugge with a remarkable 6-0 demolition of Fenerbahçe. Those performances have underlined the attacking potential of a team that looks increasingly comfortable competing at this level. Villa Park should provide another significant advantage, particularly if the hosts establish the same tempo and intensity that overwhelmed their previous European opponents.
Viking FK have already demonstrated that they cannot be dismissed lightly. The Norwegian side recovered from defeat against Stuttgart to earn a memorable 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich, showing both resilience and the ability to trouble elite opposition. Their willingness to attack could produce opportunities in Birmingham, although Villa’s recent finishing and attacking movement suggest that Viking will face sustained defensive pressure.
Read our full Aston Villa vs Viking FK preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Viking deserve respect after their performance against Bayern, but Villa’s attacking form and home advantage make them clear favourites. The visitors may contribute to the scoring, although the hosts should create enough chances to secure victory. Our tip: Aston Villa to win and Over 2.5 Goals.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Allianz Arena
Our considerations
Bayern München and Arsenal meet in one of the most attractive fixtures of the Champions League week. Bayern opened their campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt, but their subsequent 3-3 draw against Viking exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Arsenal will be eager to exploit. The German champions remain a formidable attacking side, particularly at the Allianz Arena, although they cannot afford the same lapses against opponents of Arsenal’s quality.
Arsenal arrive with six points from six after victories against Napoli and Lille, keeping clean sheets in both matches. Their defensive organisation has been particularly impressive, providing a foundation from which they can control games without sacrificing attacking ambition. Bayern will offer a considerably more demanding examination, however, and Arsenal must balance their willingness to press with the need to protect spaces against a side capable of attacking at speed.
Read our full Bayern München vs Arsenal preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Arsenal’s defensive record is impressive, but Bayern’s attacking strength at home makes another clean sheet a difficult proposition. Equally, Arsenal have the quality to exploit Bayern’s recent defensive problems. Our tip: Both Teams to Score.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Jan Breydel Stadium
Our considerations
Club Brugge have experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening two Champions League matches. A narrow defeat to Aston Villa was followed by an impressive 4-3 victory away to Inter Milan, demonstrating their ability to compete against established European opposition. Their attacking ambition has been rewarded, although conceding six goals across those fixtures suggests that defensive reliability remains an issue.
Lens began with victory over Slavia Praha before suffering a home defeat against Sporting CP. The French side have shown that they can create opportunities, but their visit to Belgium presents a demanding challenge against opponents buoyed by their success in Milan. Both teams have enough attacking quality to make this a competitive encounter, and neither will want to surrender the initiative completely.
Verdict
Club Brugge’s victory against Inter gives them considerable encouragement, but their defensive record suggests that Lens can contribute to the scoring. A competitive match with chances at both ends looks likely. Our tip: Both Teams to Score.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · San Siro
Our considerations
Inter Milan find themselves in an uncomfortable position after losing their opening two Champions League matches. Defeat against Real Madrid was followed by a remarkable 4-3 home loss to Club Brugge, leaving the Italian side with defensive questions to answer. They have enough experience and attacking quality to recover, but the pressure to secure three points will be significant against a Shakhtar team that has made a considerably more encouraging start.
Shakhtar Donetsk drew away to PSV Eindhoven before defeating AEK Athens 3-1, collecting four points and demonstrating an ability to compete effectively in different circumstances. Their attacking movement could trouble an Inter defence that has looked unusually vulnerable, although the hosts should enjoy greater possession and create opportunities of their own. This fixture may be considerably more competitive than the clubs’ respective reputations suggest.
Read our full Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Inter should respond with a more determined performance, but Shakhtar’s positive European start makes them dangerous opponents. The hosts have enough attacking quality to score, while the visitors can exploit their defensive uncertainty. Our tip: Both Teams to Score.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Santiago Bernabéu
Our considerations
Real Madrid have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, defeating Inter Milan before securing a dramatic 4-3 victory away to Roma. Their ability to recover from difficult positions remains one of their greatest strengths, although conceding three goals in Rome demonstrated that their attacking confidence has not always been matched by defensive control.
RB Leipzig recovered from a heavy opening defeat against Como to beat PSV Eindhoven, but a visit to the Bernabéu represents a considerably more demanding assignment. Leipzig have the pace and attacking ambition to create chances, particularly if Madrid commit too many players forward, yet the hosts possess greater individual quality and should be capable of controlling decisive periods of the match.
Verdict
Real Madrid’s attacking quality and home advantage make them strong favourites, but their recent defensive lapses suggest Leipzig could contribute to an entertaining contest. Our tip: Real Madrid to win and Over 2.5 Goals.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Seville
Our considerations
Real Betis have enjoyed an excellent start to their Champions League campaign, defeating Lille away from home before overcoming Porto in another entertaining encounter. Six points from two matches have put the Spanish side in a strong position, and their attacking performances suggest that they can continue creating opportunities against opponents who are willing to commit players forward.
Feyenoord recovered from a heavy defeat against Barcelona to beat Como 3-2, showing considerable attacking resilience. However, conceding eight goals across their opening two European fixtures highlights a defensive vulnerability that Betis will be eager to exploit. The Dutch visitors have enough attacking quality to make this competitive, but they must improve their organisation if they are to avoid another difficult evening.
Verdict
Betis have the stronger European form and should benefit from home advantage against a Feyenoord side that has struggled defensively. Both teams possess attacking quality, but the hosts are better placed to take all three points. Our tip: Real Betis to win.
Wednesday, 21 October · 20:00 UK · Estádio José Alvalade
Our considerations
Sporting CP have started their Champions League campaign with maximum points, defeating Galatasaray before securing an impressive away victory against Lens. Their performances have combined attacking efficiency with defensive organisation, and the opportunity to return to Lisbon should provide further encouragement. Sporting will expect to dominate possession and create chances against opponents who have struggled to contain European attacking talent.
LASK have lost both of their opening matches, including a remarkable 6-3 defeat against Liverpool. Although scoring three goals in that fixture demonstrated their ability to attack, conceding six underlined serious defensive problems. The Austrian visitors may again create opportunities, but their willingness to play positively could leave significant spaces for Sporting to exploit.
Read our full Sporting CP vs LASK Linz preview for more detailed analysis.
Verdict
Sporting’s excellent European start and home advantage make them convincing favourites. LASK’s defensive record suggests that the hosts should create enough opportunities to secure a comfortable victory. Our tip: Sporting CP to win and Over 2.5 Goals.