The UEFA Champions League slate on Wednesday is highlighted by matches featuring two of the most high-octane attacks in Europe.
First there will be Italian Serie A leaders Napoli welcoming Ajax (12:45 p.m. ET) just one week after handing the Dutch side a humbling 6-1 reversal in Amsterdam.
Just a couple of hours later, it will be Barcelona’s turn to find their scoring groove against Inter Milan in a game they need to have. The Blaugrana will also want to use the match to send a message to Real Madrid ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico showdown.
Check out all our picks below. We’ve included two for each of the big matchups.
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Barcelona vs. Inter Milan prediction, best bet
- Best Bet: Barcelona to win to zero
- Odds: +155 (Sports Interaction)
- Best Bet: Barcelona 1H moneyline
- Odds: -120 (Sports Interaction)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Barcelona win
A two-bet special today in a must-win match for Barcelona, who have been stifled in their last three games. But there is a trend we can follow: They play significantly better in the first half.
A prime example: in their weekend game over Celta Vigo, Barca won 1-0 on a 17th minute Pedri goal. They put up 2.01 xG in that match, 1.85 of that in the first half. After the break, they managed just two shots for a 0.16 xG total. They start fast and finish slow under Xavi.
Additionally, Barcelona lead La Liga with just a single goal conceded on 5.66 xGA (expected goals allowed), and while that will likely come back to Earth at some point in league play, they remain excellent in the Champions League as well. Take last week’s fixture at Inter Milan, where despite winning 1-0, Inter’s attack was stifled at home, holding just 28 percent possession while producing just five shots totaling 0.18 xG. These 90 minutes should be all Barcelona. — Kyle Bonn
| Pick | Caesars (USA) |
Sports Interaction (Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona to win to zero | +155 | 2.55 |
| Barcelona to win 1H | -120 | 1.88 |
Napoli vs. Ajax prediction, best bet
- Best Bet #1: Over 3.5 goals
- Odds: +115 (Caesars)
- Best Bet #2: Napoli to win & Both to score
- Odds: +160 (Caesars)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Napoli win
Another double? Why not. The first leg of this matchup last week ended 6-1 to Napoli on the road, and there’s absolutely no reason the home leg to finish any different.
Aside from Man City, Napoli are the best attacking team in Europe right now, absolutely obliterating anyone in their path, putting up over 1.0 xG in every single Serie A match so far this season, including four of them over 2.0 (and another at 1.95).
Hammer the over here, as Ajax can’t keep opponents out. Add in a Both Teams to Score as well, since Napoli do concede some chances and Ajax also have a solid front unit. — Kyle Bonn
| Pick | Caesars (USA) |
Sports Interaction (Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| Over 3.5 goals | +115 | 2.08 |
| Napoli to win & both to score | +160 | 2.25 |
Yesterday’s picks
Sevilla seem to be responding to new manager Jorge Sampaoli, who has now made it two straight draws to begin his tenure back at the struggling club. That sunk one of Kyle’s picks, with the other done in by Neymar and PSG’s lackluster performance at home against Benfica.
Simon saw Maccabi Haifa coming the entire way. He predicted a result by the Israeli side against a poor Juventus team that just can’t seem to find their way in recent weeks. The other ‘draw no bet’ pick did not come in as Celtic repeated their Champions League script and lost at home to RB Leipzig.
| Picks | ✔️ or ❌ |
|---|---|
| B. Dortmund -1.5 vs. Sevilla (Bonn, +150) |
❌ |
| Neymar to score with right foot (Bonn, +175) |
❌ |
| Celtic draw no bet (Borg, +140) |
❌ |
| Maccabi Haifa draw no bet (Borg, +205) |
✔️ |
Soccer best bets records
Records below compiled since the first edition of this post on Monday, October 3.
| Kyle Bonn | Simon Borg | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Bets (Won-Lost-Push) |
31.6% (6-13-0) |
36.8% (7-12-0) |
| Total Units (+ Won / – Lost) |
-3.29 | -4.02 |
| Match Predictions (Correct picks) |
63.2% (12 of 19) |
68.4% (13 of 19) |
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