Champions League Round 3 Preview, October 20
Round 3 is the point where the league-phase table of the Champions League starts to take shape. Some teams have already found their rhythm and are pushing for the top eight, while others are balancing on the edge and risk finding themselves outside the playoff places by winter. This Tuesday brings both matchups with a clear favourite and much tighter contests where character and the ability to deliver at the key moment could decide everything. Below, we briefly preview all nine matches.
Sabah – Borussia Dortmund
The Baku club are enjoying a season that has already become historic: three points from two rounds and five home wins in European competition with a combined score of 14:2. Now comes the real test, as Borussia Dortmund arrive in the middle of a mini-crisis. Dortmund are winless in three straight matches in all competitions, including a 0:0 draw with Union in the Bundesliga and a goalless performance in Norway against Bodo/Glimt. The Black and Yellows, however, have traditionally dominated Azerbaijani clubs, winning all four meetings with a combined score of 12:1. Sabah will surely try to exploit the visitors' nerves, but Dortmund's class should still tell.
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Fenerbahce – Slavia Prague
These are two teams for whom the Champions League has turned into a prolonged ordeal. Fenerbahce are winless in nine straight tournament matches, the worst run in club history. A humiliating 0:6 defeat to Aston Villa in Round 2 only increased the pressure on Ismail Kartal. Slavia have gone even longer without a Champions League win, now 21 matches, and have never won away in the competition (four draws, seven defeats). The hosts are clear favourites, although the head-to-head history favours the Czech side, with two wins in three meetings. Both teams desperately need points, and their direct meetings have usually produced goals.
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Roma – Slovan Bratislava
The Olimpico will host Roma's attempt to bounce back on Tuesday. In the previous round, Roma lost 3:4 to Real Madrid in one of the most dramatic matches of the season, conceding three times after the 80th minute, all from corners. The Giallorossi are still searching for their first European win. Their squad situation is worrying: Svilar, Cristante and Kone are injured, while Dybala is a doubt. Against Slovan, however, Gian Piero Gasperini may be able to rotate. Yaya Toure's side were thrashed 1:6 by PSG in Round 1 and 0:3 by Stuttgart in Round 2, so they arrive in Rome as clear underdogs. For Roma, this is a match they simply cannot afford not to win.
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Porto – PSV
Portugal also hosts a meeting between two teams still looking for their first victory in this campaign. Porto lost both opening matches and, despite strong domestic results, are under serious pressure. Another defeat would put their playoff chances in doubt. Jan Bednarek's return after suspension should strengthen the home defence. PSV have just one point and face a difficult week: after Porto comes a meeting with Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord, while Peter Bosz's side have slipped to third domestically. A tactical battle is expected, with a packed Dragao potentially becoming an important factor.
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Stuttgart – Atletico Madrid
Stuttgart's perfect start, two wins with six goals scored and only one conceded, guarantees nothing yet. Their first opponents were teams they were expected to beat. Now the picture changes, with Atletico coming to town. The Madrid side are flying, having won six straight matches in all competitions and looking genuinely intimidating. Stuttgart have never beaten a La Liga club in the Champions League, and this is their first serious examination of the current campaign. The match should be tense and open, especially as seven of Atletico's last eight away games have gone over the higher total line.
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Liverpool – Villarreal
Anfield welcomes Villarreal at a moment when Liverpool have found excellent rhythm: two wins from two in the Champions League and four victories in their last five matches in all competitions. History also favours the hosts, with Liverpool winning three of the four head-to-head meetings, including both in England. Injuries remain a concern, though, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong picked up knocks in the 2:1 win over Brentford and may miss out. Villarreal, meanwhile, have struggled away, winning only one of six road matches this season. Anfield remains a fortress, and even with absences Liverpool should be targeting all three points.
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Manchester City – AEK Athens
The Etihad is preparing to host a team that won its domestic league with only two defeats in 32 matches. Marko Nikolic's AEK are disciplined and well organised, but the gap in level between the Premier League and the Greek Super League is enormous. Enzo Maresca is likely to rotate with a trip to Aston Villa coming soon, but that should not prevent City from winning convincingly. They need to respond after the 2:4 home defeat to PSG in the previous round. For the Greek side, simply playing at the Etihad is already a major occasion, and taking points will be extremely difficult.
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Napoli – Bodo/Glimt
For Napoli, this is a survival match. The team have made a poor start in the Champions League and are also stuck in mid-table in Serie A. Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly close to losing his job, with major changes being prepared, including a possible return to a back four. Bodo/Glimt are dangerous opponents who showed last season that they can hurt stronger teams. Their most recent trip to Italy ended in a sensational 2:1 win over Inter, so Napoli should not expect an easy evening.
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PSG – Barcelona
And now for the main event of the day. This is one of the most anticipated matches of the entire league phase. At the Parc des Princes, two of the strongest teams in the world at the moment meet in the central fixture of the round. PSG have won three of the last five head-to-head meetings with Barcelona, with one draw, and in the previous round they left the Etihad with all three points after scoring four goals. Barcelona, meanwhile, have been sweeping opponents aside at the start of the season, although they have not yet faced a truly elite rival. Both teams have defensive absences: Nuno Mendes is out for PSG, something Lamine Yamal will hardly mind, while Barcelona are without Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde. Even so, this match promises to be a feast of attacking football.
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Summary
Round 3 is no longer a warm-up. For Fenerbahce and Slavia, it could become a point of no return; for Napoli, potentially Allegri's final match in charge; and for PSG and Barcelona, a chance to establish themselves as leading title contenders. Stuttgart will test how strong their perfect start really is, Liverpool will show how deep the squad is, and Dortmund will find out whether they can respond after a run of poor results. Tuesday should answer many of the questions that remain open. Our bookmaker rankings can help you assess the matchups and find attractive odds: https://scores24.live/en/sportbooks
