Champions League Matchday 3 Picks, Predictions, Odds

Oliver Ellison is back for best bets, predictions and picks for Champions League Matchday 3 fixtures that span Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5.

Updated on 03/19/2024
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Bayern Munich vs. Viktoria Plzen

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022
Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Allianz Arena
Location: Munich, Germany

Best Bet: Bayern -3.5 (+110)

Let’s start with some easy money. Bayern should have absolutely no problem bypassing Viktoria Plzen here, and should win this game without conceding. Plzen have the awful challenge of competing against Bayern, Barcelona and Inter in Group C, and it hasn’t gone well yet.

The Czech club have lost their first two games, conceding 3.5 goals on average. We should expect Bayern to score at least that many come Tuesday afternoon – and the sports betting sites think the same.

Don’t be surprised if there are changes to the Bayern XI as this game comes just a few days after a Bundesliga clash with Dortmund. But still, the Germans should overpower Plzen Tuesday.

Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Jan Breydelstadion
Location: Brugge, Belgium

Best Bet: Draw (+240)

All the odds are pointing to an Atletico Madrid win here, but the fact Club Brugge have already claimed two victories in this Champions League group stage means punters should be wary of Tuesday’s hosts. After all, Brugge were meant to finish rock bottom of this group.

And we can expect fireworks in Belgium come Tuesday evening. Brugge are lagging behind in their domestic division, but have progress to the Champions League last-16 in sight. So don’t be surprized if we see their strongest team fielded here.

And Brugge will need it. Atletico is a notoriously combative team but is struggling in La Liga this season. Having fallen way off the title pace already, there is concern the team may also not advance in the Champions League. Can Brugge steal three points here? Perhaps. But a tie is more likely and at good odds too.

Club Brugge has won two straight UCL matches to nil. (Getty)

Liverpool vs. Rangers

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Anfield
Location: Liverpool, England

Best Bet: Liverpool Wins By 3+ (+350)

This is what Champions League nights are all about. Liverpool vs Rangers under the lights at Anfield is expected to be one of the most atmospheric nights in the tournament’s recent history. The Reds have the famous Kop to roar on their players, Gers have a boisterous travelling support from Scotland determined to shake things up.

On the field, Liverpool should win this game. They’ve struggled in the Premier League this season but still have the offensive arsenal of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firminho and Diogo Jota to punish any Rangers mistakes.

What’s more, Gers have struggled to adapt to the Champions League so far this season – and Liverpool is a much sterner test than both Ajax and Napoli. Liverpool should control this game so long as their midfield doesn’t collapse in on itself again, and they’re a good bet to score three times without conceding a goal come Tuesday.

Chelsea vs. Milan

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Location: London, England

Best Bet: Chelsea ML (-125)

Rarely do you see such good odds on Chelsea winning a home game. But this is what happens with you invest $300m in new players over one summer, and then sack your head coach. New boss Graham Potter oversaw the 1-1 tie with Salzburg before the international break, and has now had more time to set out his plans, including the game with Crystal Palace over the weekend.

The Chelsea team Wednesday should be bang up for this one. Milan is back to full strength following years in the wilderness, and we’re set for a classic European night in London. A further benefit for Potter is that Milan is struggling too.

Chelsea welcomes back former player Olivier Giroud and Tiemoue Bakayoko, although there’s a real chance neither will star for Milan here. This is a big test for the new manager as maintaining Champions League credibility can make up for any shortfalls in the Premier League. And he should be fine here.

Sevilla vs. Dortmund

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan
Location: Sevilla, Spain

Best Bet: Dortmund ML (+150)

It’s not often that Dortmund are priced so highly to win a Champions League game, even if it is away from home. Sportsbooks evidently think the German cloud could struggle against Sevilla, but on the basis of the previous Champions League games this should be a stroll in the park for coach ​​Edin Terzic.

Having crushed F.C. Copenhagen in the first group game, Dortmund came close to beating Manchester City before the international break. Sevilla, by contrast, were wiped away by City and were lucky to claim a 0-0 draw with Copenhagen.

What’s more, Sevilla have endured a miserable start to the La Liga season and are in more danger of relegation right now than threatening the top-four. Head coach Julen Lopetegui could come under even more pressure if his team doesn’t get a result, but all the smart bets point to a Dortmund win.

PSG has seen the favorite win six straight UCL matches. (Getty)

Benfica vs. PSG

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio da Luz
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Best Bet: Over 4.5 (+290)

This game will go one of two ways. Either it will be a goals bonanza, with PSG scoring for fun and Benfica attacking with just as much gusto. Or it will be a cagey, gritty 90 minutes with only a handful of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. The odds suggest it could be the former.

PSG may have one of the best offensive units in world soccer and so far this season it’s run effortlessly well. The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are clicking, and the goals are coming. Meanwhile at Benfica, coach Roger Schmidt has them flying in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and level with PSG in Group H.

This could well be a classic match. Benfica have Rafa Silva, Julian Draxler, David Neres and Goncalo Ramos to call upon. PSG have their feared forward trio, plus a wealth of talent in midfield. It’s time to unleash the goals!