Champions League Predictions for October 21: Key Matchups in Munich, Real Madrid, and Manchester United Highlight the Card

Arsenal’s visit to Bayern Munich stands out on Wednesday’s schedule for Matchday 3 of the group stage. The Champions League is settling into its rhythm following a slow start that included a three-week international break separating the first two matchdays. With national teams set to meet again in November, the action heats up now.

Tuesday saw an intense clash between title favorites, and Wednesday continues the trend with another major showdown. Attention also falls on Vinícius Júnior’s return to Real Madrid’s starting lineup amid his lengthy domestic suspension, and on Manchester United’s challenging trip to Como.

Early in the group phase, teams seem freer without immediate pressure, so expect plenty of goals as Matchday 3 wraps up. Here’s Sports Illustrated’s forecast for Wednesday’s fixtures.

Como vs. Manchester United

• Prediction: Como 2–1 Man Utd
• Location: Como, Italy
• Stadium: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
• Referee: Sven Jablonski (GER)

Cesc Fàbregas faces a special night as Como hosts Manchester United in their Champions League debut. Michael Carrick’s side isn’t the powerhouse it once was and will miss several key players. United have not won in six matches and need this result badly after drawing at Leeds United, which Carrick described as a fresh start despite recent setbacks.

Lisandro Martínez is doubtful due to injury. Como, by contrast, are well-organized and enjoyed a memorable home debut last month. This game could expose United’s current struggles.

Lille vs. Galatasaray

• Prediction: Lille 1–1 Galatasaray
• Location: Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
• Stadium: Stade Pierre Mauroy
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
• Referee: Rade Obrenovič (SVN)

Galatasaray were tested hard by Barcelona last week, nearly leading before the eventual onslaught. Their away form needs improvement if they want to advance. Lille had setbacks recently, losing to Arsenal and drawing with Brest in Ligue 1. Both teams aim for a point in this encounter.

Aston Villa vs. Viking

• Prediction: Aston Villa 3–1 Viking
• Location: Birmingham, England
• Stadium: Villa Park
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (AUT)

Aston Villa impressed with a 6–0 rout of Fenerbahçe and are gaining momentum under Unai Emery. Nicolas Jackson scored twice in that win, while Johan Manzambi recently delivered the winner against Newcastle. Viking, after a strong fight against Bayern Munich, will find scoring tough on the road but showed resilience late last match.

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal

• Prediction: Bayern Munich 1–1 Arsenal
• Location: Munich, Germany
• Stadium: Allianz Arena
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)

This fixture pits two familiar rivals who met last season, where Arsenal triumphed 3–1 at home. Arsenal has only ever won once at Bayern’s ground, making this a stern test. Bayern will miss Michael Olise but rely on Harry Kane’s goals. Kane aims to extend his impressive scoring record against Arsenal. Luis Díaz, fresh from a hat trick, leads Bayern’s potent attack facing a solid Arsenal defense missing William Saliba.

Club Brugge vs. Lens

• Prediction: Club Brugge 2–1 Lens
• Location: Bruges, Belgium
• Stadium: Jan Breydelstadion
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Luis Godinho (POR)

After a stunning win at Inter Milan, Club Brugge look to build momentum at home. Nicolò Tresoldi is becoming a standout player. Lens struggles with consistency since Dino Toppmöller left but has recorded recent wins in Ligue 1. Both teams will battle hard for points.

Inter Milan vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

• Prediction: Inter 3–1 Shakhtar Donetsk
• Location: Milan, Italy
• Stadium: San Siro
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)

Inter faces pressure to avoid back-to-back losses at home. Shakhtar brings a vibrant, mostly Brazilian squad with some Ukrainian players. They recently earned a draw at PSV and beat AEK Athens convincingly. Inter must contain this lively team to stay on track.

Real Betis vs. Feyenoord

• Prediction: Real Betis 2–2 Feyenoord
• Location: Seville, Spain
• Stadium: La Cartuja de Sevilla
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Simone Sozza (ITA)

Feyenoord lead the Eredivisie and remain unbeaten domestically. They bounced back to defeat Como last week but face an away trip without the comforts of their home crowd. Betis recently lost to Barcelona but had earlier won a thrilling game against Porto. Expect a tight contest at a neutral venue due to stadium renovations.

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig

• Prediction: Real Madrid 4–0 RB Leipzig
• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)

Real Madrid showed their best form against Sevilla, overcoming injuries with a strong display. Vinícius Júnior returns to the starting lineup after a suspension. Leipzig has conceded heavily to Bayern twice this season and will struggle against Madrid’s star-studded attack. Manager Martín Demichelis is under pressure following poor results.

Sporting CP vs. LASK

• Prediction: Sporting CP 3–0 LASK
• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
• Date & Time: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
• Referee: Nicholas Walsh (SCO)

Sporting CP aims to prove their quarterfinal run last season wasn’t a fluke. Luis Suárez is finding form, scoring consistently. They are tough to beat at home, as demonstrated last year against Paris Saint-Germain. LASK, having just reached the group stage through a surprise playoff win over Celtic, faces a daunting task here.

Matchday 3 Predictions Summary

• 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET - Como vs. Man Utd: 2–1
• 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET - Lille vs. Galatasaray: 1–1
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Aston Villa vs. Viking: 3–1
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal: 1–1
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Club Brugge vs. Lens: 2–1
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Inter vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: 3–1
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Real Betis vs. Feyenoord: 2–2
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig: 4–0
• 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET - Sporting CP vs. LASK: 3–0