The opening round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League continues on Wednesday the 9th of September with another selection of high profile fixtures and we select 3 of them to have a bet on.
Barcelona welcome Feyenoord, Liverpool face Atletico Madrid at Anfield and Arsenal travel to Italy to meet Napoli. We take a closer look at all three encounters from a betting perspective below.
Barcelona vs Feyenoord – Click here to bet
Recent Form
Barcelona have made a dominant start to their LaLiga campaign, winning each of their opening four matches while scoring 17 goals and conceding only twice.
They began with a commanding 5-0 victory away to Elche before defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home. Barcelona then overcame Rayo Vallecano 5-2 and maintained their perfect record by cruising to another 5-0 away triumph against Valencia.
Feyenoord are also unbeaten in domestic competition after collecting three victories and two draws from their first five Eredivisie fixtures.
Their campaign opened with a narrow 1-0 win away to Sparta Rotterdam before settling for 2-2 home draws against Go Ahead Eagles and Den Haag. Feyenoord have found their attacking rhythm in the last couple of weeks, beating Cambuur 5-2 before claiming a 3-1 victory away to Nijmegen in their latest clash.
Head-to-Head
The only two previous competitive meetings between these clubs took place during the 1974/75 European Cup. The first encounter ended in a goalless draw in Rotterdam before Barcelona secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in the return fixture.
Match Odds (1X2)
Barcelona: 1.10
Draw: 13.00
Feyenoord: 23.00
Verdict
Feyenoord have scored freely during the opening weeks of their domestic campaign but facing Barcelona away from home represents a considerable rise in difficulty. The Spanish champions have been ruthless in attack and have already recorded three clean sheets in four league matches. I believe Barcelona should control the contest and begin their European campaign with a convincing home victory.
BET: Result and Both Teams to Score – Barcelona and No at 2.05
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Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid – Click here to bet
Recent Form
Liverpool remain unbeaten after their opening three Premier League fixtures, although they were forced to settle for draws in their first two matches.
The Reds played out consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest before earning their first league victory with a composed 2-0 performance away to Ipswich Town.
Atletico Madrid have experienced an inconsistent beginning to their LaLiga campaign, recording two victories, one draw and one defeat from four outings.
They opened with a 2-0 home win over Malaga before drawing 2-2 against Villarreal. Atletico then produced an impressive 3-1 victory away to Sevilla but enter this fixture looking to respond after suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool have won three of the last six encounters between these sides, with Atletico Madrid registering three wins. The Reds claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at Anfield when the teams met during last season’s Champions League campaign.
Liverpool also completed a group stage double over Atletico in 2021, winning 3-2 in Madrid before recording a 2-0 victory at home.
Match Odds (1X2)
Liverpool: 1.73
Draw: 4.00
Atletico Madrid: 4.75
Verdict
Atletico Madrid have the defensive structure and experience required to make this a demanding contest, but their heavy weekend defeat raises concerns ahead of the trip to Anfield. Liverpool are beginning to build momentum and have won each of the last three meetings between the clubs. Home advantage and their stronger recent head-to-head record make them the preferred selection, and I am expecting them to come out of the fixture triumphant, most likely by a narrow margin.
BET: Liverpool to Win at 1.73
Napoli vs Arsenal – Click here to bet
Recent Form
Napoli began their Serie A campaign with an encouraging 2-0 victory away to Genoa but have since suffered consecutive defeats.
They were beaten 2-1 at home by Como before narrowly losing 3-2 away to Inter in their latest appearance. Napoli have shown that they remain capable of creating opportunities, although conceding five goals across those two losses highlights their recent defensive vulnerability.
Arsenal arrive in Naples carrying a perfect competitive record this season. The Gunners lifted the Community Shield after producing a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City and have subsequently won each of their opening three Premier League matches.
Arsenal began their title defence by defeating Coventry City 3-0 before earning a disciplined 1-0 victory away to Aston Villa. They maintained their excellent start with a 2-1 home triumph over Chelsea, taking their competitive tally to nine goals scored and only one conceded.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have won three of the five previous meetings between these clubs, with Napoli recording one victory and the remaining encounter ending in a draw.
The most recent meetings came in the 2018/19 Europa League quarter-finals. Arsenal won the first leg 2-0 at home before completing the double with a 1-0 victory in Naples. Napoli’s only success in this fixture was a 2-0 Champions League win on home soil in 2013.
Match Odds (1X2)
Napoli: 5.00
Draw: 3.85
Arsenal: 1.73
Verdict
Napoli possess enough attacking quality to threaten on home soil, but their recent defensive struggles could be punished by an Arsenal side operating with confidence. The visitors have won all four of their competitive matches this season and have conceded just once during that sequence. With Arsenal also having won both of the previous knockout meetings between the clubs, the away victory stands out, and I think they will get the job done in a low scoring affair.
BET: Result and Totals – Arsenal and Under 3.5 Goals at 2.35
Odds correct at time of writing but subject to change.
