It’s been a long few months without the UEFA Champions League, yet it also seems like I watched Inter Milan melt down in the UCL Final against Paris Saint-Germain last weekend. The French side lifted the UCL Trophy for the first time every following a five goal dominating win over Inter Milan, who has been so close quite a few times recently. Nevertheless, that season is behind us, and it’s time to get ready for the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League competition! Let’s get in to our favorite picks in the UCL for today!
There are six matches today in the UCL, and we will be a bit cautious for these first couple of slates. It’s a long season ahead. However, head over to our UCL Picks Page for our expert’s soccer analysis on every match, or read my best bets below.
UEFA Champions League: Tuesday’s Predictions September 16
Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal UCL Picks
Nico Williams is a stud winger for Athletic Bilbao who could move to the EPL very soon
Best Bet: Athletic Bilbao +0.5 (+115) BetOnline
Fading Arsenal usually isn’t a good idea, but let me see if I can convince you of my thinking. Let’s start with the obvious, Athletic Bilbao gets to host the Gunners, after losing to them at the Emirates 3-0 before the season started. That Emirates Cup match was virtually meaningless to the visitors, and Arsenal certainly flexed their new muscle in front of their hometown fans. Now Bilbao gets to host Arsenal, and while I don’t necessarily see them winning this match outright, I do think they could be getting overlooked by the Gunners.
This is the opening UCL match. Arsenal has seven other chances to earn points in the League Phase portion of the UCL competition if they lose this one. I do not see the visitors being aggressive, and I could see them resting several starters, because they have quite the EPL match this weekend. Arsenal gets to host Manchester City on Sunday in their domestic league, and my guess is the Gunners are more worried about that match than the one today. Sure, they will do anything they can to earn a point, but I simply think Bilbao comes out firing, ready to compete against a superior team coming to town.
In the Emirates Cup, Athletic Bilbao certainly played it more like a preseason match, while the Gunners let their top team go off for as long as they wanted. I see the Gunners being more conservative on the road, leading me to think that Athletic Bilbao could sneak away with a point, as Arsenal looks ahead to their Sunday match in the EPL.
I also endorse Athletic Bilbao Team Total Over 0.5 (-145) or Both Teams To Score (-107), but I’ve decided to back Bilbao on the double chance.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw (+600)
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund UCL Picks
Brandt has a goal for Borussia Dortmund already this year
Best Bet: Juventus/Borussia Dortmund Under 2.5 (-105) BetOnline
Juventus host Borussia Dortmund today in the biggest match on today’s slate. Two European Giants go head to head today in Torino, and both actually faced off about a month ago. In early August, Juventus beat Dortmund in Germany in a club friendly, winning 2-1, with the hosts scoring a concession goal in the 89′ minute. I’m not sure how much insight we can take from that contest, considering both managers subbed plenty, using the match to try out some different tactics and personnel before the real season kicks off.
Now Juventus is 3-0-0 to start their Serie A season, while Dortmund are 2-1-0 with a road draw to St. Pauli. Dortmund had a red card in the 85′ and proceeded to give up two goals in the final five minutes to the hosts, allowing them to steal a point.
Juventus is coming off a seven goal thriller against Inter Milan, while Dortmund have shutout their last two foes, and have allowed just one goal at full strength in three matches this year. Both clubs come into this game respecting the offensive firepower of the other, and I see them starting off conservative, especially with Dortmund on the road.
The Italian side may bring the heat early, testing their German visitors, however I see the Dortmund backline holding solid, at least early on, with the hopes of finding a late winner on the other side of the field. I think we see a scoreless first half (+190), but ultimately believe this game stays under 2.5.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund Wins 1-0 (+1000)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal: UCL Picks
Dominic Solanke and Tottenham are looking to surprise some people in the UCL this season
Best Bets: Tottenham ML/BTTS No (+240) BetOnline
In my eyes, this is the best bang for your buck in this match. Tottenham’s success so far this season has been undeniable, and they have a cupcake against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Their full focus will be on the task at hand, taking down Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League.
Tottenham is 3-0-1 in the EPL this season, with three shutout victories, and one shutout loss. Both Teams to Score – No has hit in all four of their competitive matches this season, and I trust their defense to get another one at home. Tottenham bounced back following a home loss to AFC Bournemouth, and are outscoring their opponents 8-1 in four matches this year. They will not underestimate Villarreal, who is still trying to figure things out.
Rough Start for Villarreal Offense
Not only are Villarreal coming off a 2-0 shutout loss to Atletico Madrid on the road, they really have not played anyone. They beat Real Oviedo 2-0 to start the season, following it up with a 5-0 win over Girona. Oviedo were promoted to the Spanish La Liga this season, and Girona was two points away from relegation last year. Villarreal almost had a third straight win to start the year, but conceded a stoppage time equalizer on the road against Celta Vigo, a team who is winless through five games.
On the road against an EPL team, Villarreal is in for a wake up call. While I do see a low scoring battle, I think Tottenham are better equipped to get this win at home, and I think backing them to do so in shutout fashion is the way to go. Now, both of these bets are more than playable by themselves. Tottenham ML is (-109) while BTTS No is (+119) on BetOnline. Feel free to take them individually, or sprinkle a half unit on the parlay with me.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur Wins 1-0 (+650)
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