Expert Soccer Picks: UEFA Champions League Matchday 3, Best Games & Analysis

It’s the start of a new week, and with the international break done and domestic football back in action, it means that Matchday 3 in the Champions League is almost upon us.

If you are not already aware, then let us quickly explain how the tournament has changed this season.

My Champions League Betting Analysis

Instead of groups, the Champions League is now one big league comprised of 36 teams. Each team plays 8 games (4 home and 4 away), with the top 8 automatically moving on to the knockout phase.

Teams 9 through 24 will go into a playoff to determine which other 8 teams will move on to the next round. While we are only 2 games into the new format, the league is already starting to take shape.

What we are going to do this week is take a look at the games for the top 6 teams on the bookies board.

We will, as always, have predictions for each of these games, as well as the current odds to win the tournament for each of these 6 teams.

Real Madrid -228 vs Borussia Dortmund +480

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 3:00 PM, Paramount+
Where: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

When you come into a tournament as the defending champions, you do so with a huge target on your back. As it stands right now, Real Madrid (+330), the current champions, would need to go into the playoffs if the league ended right now.

They started out with a comfortable 3-1 win over Stuttgart before getting stunned in a 1-0 loss to Lille in Matchday 2.

That leaves them sitting down in 17th. On the flipside, it has been smooth sailing for Dortmund.

They started out with a 3-0 win over Brugge before absolutely hammering Celtic in a lopsided 7-1 win, all of which leaves them sitting atop the table.

Real Madrid is favored by 1 ½ at home, but I think this will be tighter than expected.

🙌 ¿Ganas de mañana, #Madridistas? 🙌
👀 ¡Vuelve a disfrutar de La Decimoquinta!
🆚 @BVB
📺 Partido COMPLETO 👉 #RMPlay
🔗 https://t.co/jCF6rLGtkd #UCL

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 21, 2024

Arsenal -1000 vs Shakhtar Donetsk +1850

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 3:00 PM, Paramount+
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England

The mark of a good team is their ability to battle back from adversity, which is what Arsenal (+790) will be looking to do on Tuesday afternoon.

They are coming off a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in the league in another game where they were reduced to 10 men, which is becoming something of a habit for them.

The Gunners opened up this competition on the road, drawing 0-0 with Atlanta.

They followed that up with an impressive 2-0 win over PSG and are now 13th in the league.

It has not been so good for Shakhtar, who opened things up with a draw before taking a 3-0 loss at the hands of Atalanta.

This could prove to be another long night for them. Arsenal is favored by 2 ½ in this one.

Manchester City -1493 vs Sparta Prague +2600

When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:00 PM, Paramount+
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

It is still very early in the season, but you have to say that Manchester City (+275) has not really looked like the team that has racked up trophies over the past few years.

They are grinding out wins in the EPL and have picked up 4 points from their opening 2 games in this tournament, scoring 4 times while failing to surrender a goal.

Sparta Prague are sitting just outside the top 8 on goal difference, also picking up 4 points through their opening 2 games.

While those results have been good, they have come against teams lower in the league, so this is definitely their toughest test yet.

City are favored by 2 ½ goals at home and I think they cover that spread on Wednesday.

Barcelona +133 vs Bayern Munich +163

When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:00 PM, Paramount+
Where: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain

This is easily the biggest game on the Matchday 3 schedule, as both of these teams are listed among the top 6 favorites.

Barcelona (+1200) has been scoring goals for fun in LaLiga, but they go this tournament started with a bit of a shock result, losing 2-1 to Monaco in their opening game.

It was a return to form at home on Matchday 2 with a 5-0 win over Young Boys.

They could have the edge at home, but this will be a tough one against an in-form Munich side.

Bayern (+800) are flying in the league right now, but they will be looking to bounce back from a loss to Aston Villa in Matchday 2.

They opened their Champions League campaign with a win, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Barcelona is at – ½ for this one, but I am taking the draw.

RB Leipzig +285 vs Liverpool -124

When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 3:00 PM, Paramount+
Where: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany

This has to be seen as something of a critical game for Leipzig, as they have opened up this competition with back-to-back losses.

They will be up against a Liverpool (+1000) team that is very much living up to expectations with 2 wins from 2 to get the ball rolling.

In fairness to Leipzig, the draw has not been particularly kind to them, but despite the tough matchups, they have been competitive.

They started out on the road against Atletico Madrid, losing that one 2-1, which they followed up with a 3-2 loss to Juventus at home.

Liverpool went on the road for their opening game, picking up a 3-1 win over Milan.

They followed that up with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bologna in Matchday 2. Liverpool is a ½ goal favorite, and I think they will win and cover.

Brest +470 vs Bayer Leverkusen -202

When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 12:45 PM, Paramount+
Where: Stade municipal de Roudourou, Guingamp, France

Every season, we tend to get a surprise team or two, which is what we are getting with Brest, although it is still very early in the proceedings.

The French side opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Sturm Graz, which they followed up with a dominating 4-0 win over Salzburg on the road.

Those were certainly both winnable games, but they will have a much tougher time against the current German champions.

Leverkusen (+1600) are always fun to watch, and they have been very good through the opening 2 games of this tournament.

They started with a 4-0 road win over Feyenoord, followed by a 1-0 victory over Milan at home.

Leverkusen is favored by 1 ½ and I like them to win and cover.

Top 10 Team’s Odds to Win the Champions League 2024/25

• Manchester City +275
• Real Madrid +330
• Arsenal FC +790
• Bayern +900
• Liverpool FC +990
• Barcelona +1200
• Leverkusen +1600
• Inter +2000
• Dortmund +2500
• PSG +2800

Matchday 3 😎#UCL pic.twitter.com/dYNIFWm5B8

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 21, 2024

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