UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 Expert Tips & Predictions

International football will make way for another month or so with the Champions League back in action once again this week.

Liverpool’s loss at Galatasaray was the biggest shock of the last round but plenty of other big sides dropped points too and there is a real sense of congestion around the early UCL table.

With another bumper round of fixtures here on match day 3, it should be another incredible week of action – as the biggest 36 sides in Europe battle it out.

Here are our Champions League tips for the third round of group stage fixtures in the 2025/26:

2025/26 Champions League Matchday 3 Predictions

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Barcelona ($1.20)

Olympiakos ($15.00)

Draw ($8.00)

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side are front runners for the Champions League this season and they will be chasing a big home win here against Olympiakos. The Greek side have found life tough going in the Champions League thus far and Barca look locked in for all three points.

Barcelona to win 3-0

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Kairat ($2.80)

Paphos FC ($2.70)

Draw ($3.30)

Two huge Champions League underdogs face off here as Kazakh side Kairat welcome Cypriot outfit Paphos FC to Almaty. Neither side has been able to lay too much of a glove on the UCL so far this term and this may well be a tight draw in Kazakhstan.

1-1 Draw

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Arsenal ($1.62)

Atletico Madrid ($6.00)

Draw ($4.10)

Arsenal will be looking to register yet another important Champions League win, as they host Atletico Madrid. Not losing will be the mantra for Atletico but Arsenal are rampant at home currently and they should win well here.

Arsenal to win 2-0

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Bayer Leverkusen ($5.25)

PSG ($1.65)

Draw ($4.20)

Defending UCL champions PSG look to be setting the standard again this term and they will be full of confidence as they arrive in Germany. Leverkusen are a good outfit, and they will make this tough, but PSG should march on here.

PSG to win 3-1

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FC Copenhagen ($4.00)

Borussia Dortmund ($2.00)

Draw ($3.50)

German giants Borussia Dortmund are always a big deal in every game they play, and they will be under the cosh here in Denmark. FC Copenhagen are a hugely improved side at Champions League level, but Dortmund could pick up all three points in this one.

Borussia Dortmund to win 2-1

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Newcastle United ($1.70)

Benfica ($5.50)

Draw ($4.20)

Newcastle United should have St James’s Park rocking for this one against Benfica and it could be a fascinating clash of styles. Toon will be bang up for this one though and they should just about see off Jose Mourinho’s side.

Newcastle United to win 2-0

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PSV ($3.25)

Napoli ($2.25)

Draw ($3.75)

Italian champions Napoli visit Dutch giants PSV, in what should be an excellent game in Eindhoven. There isn’t too much to split these sides on paper, but Napoli are going well in Serie A and they should find a way to come out on top in this one.

Napoli to win 2-1

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Union St Gilloise ($5.00)

Inter Milan ($1.73)

Draw ($4.20)

Inter Milan have an assuredness about their play in the Champions League currently and they will be chasing a third win on the spin here against Union St Gilloise. The Belgian side are still finding their feet at this level and Inter should have the quality to pick them off.

Inter Milan to win 3-1

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Villareal ($4.70)

Manchester City ($1.75)

Draw ($4.20)

2023 European champions Manchester City visit Villareal, with both sides chasing important UCL points. City have been a side on the up in recent weeks, but Villareal are a tough nut to crack at home, and they could find a way to overcome City here.

Villareal to win 2-1

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Athletic Bilbao ($1.33)

FK Qarabag ($11.00)

Draw ($5.50)

Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao will be looking to quash the dream start of FK Qarabag, as the pair meet in the Basque region. Qarabag have won their first two games and are in dreamland, but Bilbao should have far too much for them here.

Athletic Bilbao to win 3-0

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Galatasaray ($1.55)

Bodo/Glimt ($5.50)

Draw ($4.75)

Following their famous win over Liverpool last time out in the Champions League, Galatasaray will be chasing another important win here against Bodo/Glimt. Reaching the knockout rounds would be a coup for both sides but Galatasaray should have enough about them to win this one in Istanbul.

Galatasaray to win 2-1

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Atalanta ($1.53)

Slavia Prague ($6.00)

Draw ($4.90)

Atalanta will be eager to build upon their win last time out over Club Brugge, as they take on Slavia Prague. The side from Bergamo have been stop start so far this term but they will see this as a great chance to get going here against the Czech outfit.

Atalanta to win 3-0

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Bayern Munich ($1.24)

Club Brugge ($13.00)

Draw ($7.00)

Bayern Munich are amongst the favourites to go all the way in this season’s Champions League and Club Brugge await next. The Belgians are never going to roll over but they should find Vincent Kompany’s side too hot to handle in this one.

Bayern Munich to win 3-1

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Chelsea ($1.25)

Ajax ($11.00)

Draw ($7.00)

Chelsea’s recent resurgence will be put to the test at Stamford Bridge, as they take on Ajax. The blues have reams of talent in their squad but need to start winning matches consistently and while Ajax will test them, Chelsea should come out on top in this one.

Chelsea to win 3-1

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Eintracht Frankfurt ($5.10)

Liverpool ($1.62)

Draw ($4.20)

Struggling Liverpool will hit the road chasing a first win in five, as they take on Eintracht Frankfurt. The Germans have a dangerous side, but Liverpool are a wounded beast, and they should silence a few doubters here.

Liverpool to win 2-1

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Monaco ($2.90)

Tottenham ($2.38)

Draw ($3.70)

Spurs have began to wobble a touch under Thomas Frank and this doesn’t feel like an easy assignment in Monaco. The side from the principality managed to pick up a draw with Manchester City last time out and should be able to do the same here.

1-1 Draw

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Real Madrid ($1.55)

Juventus ($6.10)

Draw ($4.75)

Two genuine European giants lock horns here as Real Madrid host Juventus. While both sides have a storied history, Real are in a much better place at the moment and they should pick up all three points here.

Real Madrid to win 3-1

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Sporting Lisbon ($2.20)

Marseille ($3.25)

Draw ($3.70)

Two sides that will be chasing knockout football in a few weeks’ time meet here, as Sporting Lisbon host Marseille. Both sides are going well domestically, and an entertaining draw could be on the cards here.

2-2 Draw

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2025/26 Champions League MD3 multi bet

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We’re backing four results on MD3, as an accumulator with a betting stake of $50:

Atalanta vs Slavia Prague – Atalanta
Real Madrid vs Juventus – Real Madrid
Chelsea vs Ajax – Chelsea
Union St Gilloise vs Inter Milan – Inter Milan