Champions League: Matchday 3 Picks & Preview (Oct 21-22)

The high intensity action in the UEFA Champions League resumes this week, as heavyweight clashes across the continent are set. A busy two-day window of matches is set, and you can find our standout Champions League picks for matchday three here.

Champions League Matchday 3 Schedule

Champions League Matchday 3 Picks

Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid

Premier League leaders Arsenal bid to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League on Tuesday. Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last two matches against the Gunners. However, they are winless in their five previous clashes against English teams in the opening round of the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have won their last six head-to-head meetings with Spanish clubs. A low-scoring clash is expected, but the preference is for an Arsenal win. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs. PSG

Bayer Leverkusen recorded a 2-1 win in their only previous home match against PSG. Meanwhile, the Parisians have recorded just two wins in their last ten trips to Germany.

However, Leverkusen have struggled in Europe this calendar year, losing three of their five games. PSG are chasing history on Tuesday, as they could register six straight wins. It appears to be among the most logical Champions League picks.

St. Gilloise vs. Inter Milan

A first competitive meeting between St. Gilloise and Inter Milan is set for Tuesday. Inter have registered three straight wins against Belgian sides, and they have won each of their two clashes in this season’s Champions League without conceding.

Union have failed to score in their last two home matches in the competition, and the trends indicate that an away win to nil makes plenty of appeal at Lotto Park.

Newcastle vs. Benfica

Benfica have a poor away record against English teams, winning just one of their last nine. Newcastle will be chasing successive Champions League wins for the first time since February 2003.

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has won just three of his 12 away matches against the Magpies. A home win looks like the standout selection when making Champions League picks.

Villarreal vs. Man City

Man City have won the only two previous encounters between these sides. However, City have won just four of their 14 Champions League away matches against Spanish sides.

But, Pep Guardiola has never suffered a defeat against this week’s opponents. Despite a poor record in Spain, an away success still makes plenty of appeal when making Champions League picks.  

Monaco vs. Tottenham

Monaco recorded wins in both meetings with Tottenham in the 2016-17 Champions League. Interestingly, they have also lost just one of their last eight home matches against English clubs.

Tottenham haven’t been consistent on the road in the competition, winning just one of their last seven. Plenty of appeal could be made with the draw on Wednesday.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool

Liverpool boast an excellent record against German teams, losing just one of their last 15.

However, the Reds have suffered defeats in their last four across all competitions, and they have lost two of their last three in the Champions League. Despite that, Frankfurt’s poor defensive record is challenging to overlook, meaning that the away win is preferred.

Real Madrid vs. Juventus

European heavyweights collide in the Spanish capital on Wednesday. Juventus have played out draws in their last two matches in the Champions League, while Real Madrid have scored a staggering 18 goals in their last five group stage fixtures.

The Old Lady appear to be a level below the best teams in Europe at this stage, meaning a home win for Los Blancos is preferred this week.

Chelsea vs. Ajax

Ajax have failed to win in their last eleven European fixtures against English teams since a 1-0 win over Tottenham in April 2019.

Chelsea have an excellent home record in the competition, losing just two of their last 12. Ajax’s five-game losing run in Europe is their worst since September 1989, and it is hard to foresee that sequence ending on Wednesday.