The third round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League continues on Tuesday the 20th of October with another selection of high profile fixtures. Our 3 selected matches see Liverpool welcome Villarreal to Anfield, Manchester City host AEK Athens and PSG face Barcelona in Paris. We take a closer look at all three encounters from a betting perspective below.
Liverpool vs Villarreal – Click here to bet
Liverpool have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning both of their opening fixtures while scoring eight goals and conceding four. The Reds occupy 5th position in the league phase standings with six points.
They began with a narrow 2-1 home victory over Atletico Madrid before producing a remarkable 6-3 win away to LASK in their latest European outing.
Villarreal have collected three points from their opening two matches, leaving them in 14th overall with five goals scored and four conceded.
Their campaign started with a closely contested 3-2 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund before they responded with an impressive 3-1 home victory over Napoli. Villarreal have scored at least twice in both appearances and will look to carry that attacking threat into their trip to Anfield.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool have won three of the four previous competitive meetings between these clubs, with Villarreal recording one victory.
Their most recent encounters came in the 2021/22 Champions League semi-finals. Liverpool won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield before completing the double with a 3-2 victory in Spain. Villarreal’s only success was a 1-0 home win in the 2015/16 Europa League semi-finals, although Liverpool overturned that deficit with a 3-0 victory in the return fixture.
Match Odds (1X2)
Liverpool: 1.56
Draw: 4.75
Villarreal: 5.50
Verdict
Villarreal have shown enough attacking quality to trouble Liverpool, particularly after the hosts conceded three times against LASK. However, the Reds have won both of their fixtures and have scored eight goals in the process. Liverpool have also won both previous meetings at Anfield without conceding. I expect the visitors to provide a competitive test, but home advantage and Liverpool’s attacking strength make them my pick to win a low scoring affair.
BET: Result and Totals – Liverpool and Under 4.5 Goals at 2.10
Manchester City vs AEK Athens – Click here to bet
Manchester City have experienced a mixed start to their Champions League campaign, recording one victory and one defeat from their opening two fixtures. They sit in 17th position with three points, having scored four goals and conceded four.
City opened with a convincing 2-0 victory away to FC Porto but were unable to build on that result when PSG visited Manchester. Their latest appearance ended in a 4-2 home defeat, leaving them looking for a response in front of their own supporters.
AEK Athens also have three points after two matches and occupy 20th position on the log, with two goals scored and three conceded.
The Greek side reached the league phase after overcoming Levski Sofia in qualifying, following a goalless away draw with a commanding 4-0 home victory. They then began their league phase of the campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over LASK before suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Shakhtar Donetsk in their most recent outing.
Head-to-Head
These clubs have not previously met, making this their first competitive encounter.
Match Odds (1X2)
Manchester City: 1.12
Draw: 11.00
AEK Athens: 22.00
Verdict
Manchester City will be eager to respond after conceding four goals against PSG and this fixture provides a strong opportunity to return to winning ways. AEK Athens made an encouraging start against LASK but their defeat to Shakhtar highlights the challenge of competing away from home at this level. The hosts should have enough attacking quality to control proceedings, and I am expecting them to secure a comfortable victory without conceding.
BET: Result and Both Teams to Score – Manchester City and No at 1.87
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PSG vs Barcelona – Click here to bet
PSG lead the Champions League standings after winning both of their opening fixtures, scoring ten goals and letting only three in at the back.
The French side began their campaign with a commanding 6-1 home victory over Slovan Bratislava before recording an impressive 4-2 win away to Manchester City. PSG have scored at least four goals in each appearance and enter this contest carrying considerable attacking momentum.
Barcelona have also collected maximum points from their opening two matches and sit second in the standings, level with PSG on points and goal difference having scored nine goals and conceded twice.
Barcelona opened with a comprehensive 5-1 home victory over Feyenoord before maintaining their excellent start with a 4-1 win away to Galatasaray. The Spanish side have been clinical in front of goal, although they are still searching for their first clean sheet of the campaign.
Head-to-Head
PSG have won three of the last six meetings between these clubs, with Barcelona recording two victories and the remaining encounter ending in a draw.
Their most recent clash came during the 2025/26 Champions League campaign when PSG secured a 2-1 victory in Barcelona. The French side also won their 2023/24 quarterfinal tie, recovering from a 3-2 home defeat to claim a 4-1 victory in the return fixture.
Match Odds (1X2)
PSG: 2.45
Draw: 4.50
Barcelona: 2.50
Verdict
Both sides have been ruthless in attack during the opening two rounds, making this an appealing contest between the competition’s early leaders. Barcelona’s nine goals underline their threat but PSG’s victory away to Manchester City provides a strong indication of their ability against leading opposition. The hosts have also won the last two meetings between these clubs and with home advantage adding to their appeal, I am backing PSG to edge an entertaining encounter.
BET: PSG to Win at 2.45
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
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