How Will Como Fare in Their First-Ever UCL Match? Three Picks for Today’s (9/10) Slate
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Thu Sep 10, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
UEFA
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-0.5
-130
3.25
-106u
-130
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+0.75
-107
3
+115o
+330
We are absolutely red hot right now!
Another sweep on the article plays yesterday moves us to 8-0-1 across the last three articles. More importantly, we've found some great spots during the opening week of Champions League action.
We also saw some really good matches yesterday.
Barcelona and PSG both handled business at home against lesser opponents. Meanwhile, Sporting took advantage of an injury-riddled Galatasaray side and gave us another winner.
Today's slate is a little tougher, in my opinion. However, I've found a few spots that I really like.
Let's get into the plays!
Head over to our Soccer Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Featured Plays
- Roma Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-110)
- Como Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-140)
- Nico Paz To Score or Assist (-110)
Fenerbahce vs. Roma
Dybala and Roma have found a groove early this season, can it carry over to the UCL?
This Roma team looks completely different from what we've grown accustomed to seeing.
They're playing with purpose, attacking directly, and absolutely smothering opponents when they get control of matches.
Through three games, Roma have already scored 10 goals. Additionally, they've scored four times in two of those three matches.
The underlying numbers are just as impressive.
Roma have created more than 3.0 expected goals in every match this season. Once they reach the final third, they're attacking the box with numbers and constantly searching for another goal.
Paulo Dybala also looks rejuvenated and, most importantly, healthy.
Meanwhile, Donyell Malen has been on fire to begin the season. He enters this matchup with five goals through his first three games.
Roma have also added an exciting young Portuguese talent in Rodrigo Mora.
The former Porto midfielder wasn't seeing consistent minutes in Portugal. However, he appears to have found a starting role as an attacking midfielder for Roma.
Overall, I really like the balance of this team.
The midfield controls possession well, while Roma have enough pace to be extremely dangerous in transition. More importantly, they haven't shown much interest in taking their foot off the gas after getting ahead.
Of course, going into Istanbul is never an easy task.
Fenerbahce have also added some quality attacking pieces this summer, including Mason Greenwood and Vedat Muriqi. However, those additions haven't solved their biggest problem.
The back line still looks vulnerable.
Fenerbahce have conceded six goals through four league matches this season. At home, they're allowing an average of two goals per game.
To their credit, the Turkish side looked better defensively during the qualifying rounds.
However, they haven't faced an attack with Roma's current quality and form.
Lyon and Besiktas were probably the closest comparisons. Even then, Fenerbahce conceded nearly 2.0 expected goals in both matchups.
Ultimately, I think Roma's midfield can control enough of this match to consistently put pressure on the hosts.
I don't necessarily need them to dominate for 90 minutes, either. With the way this attack is creating chances, two goals feels very reachable.
At nearly even money, I'm willing to keep riding this Roma attack.
Play: Roma Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-110)
Como vs. RB Leipzig
If you've followed me for a while, you already know how high I've been on this Como side.
You also know Nico Paz has become one of my favorite players to watch and bet on.
However, this match is about much more than just another betting opportunity.
Seven years ago, Como were playing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football. Today, they'll play their first Champions League match in club history.
Even better, they get to play it at home.
There's another interesting wrinkle to this matchup.
This will actually be Como's first home match of the season. They opened with three straight road games while their stadium underwent a 90-day redevelopment.
The club widened the pitch by two meters and installed a new hybrid surface.
Those changes should fit perfectly with the speed and possession-based style Cesc Fabregas has implemented.
Additionally, the seating areas received upgrades ahead of the reopening.
Club directors are even giving their seats to supporters for this historic match. As a result, I expect one of the best atmospheres Como have experienced in years.
Now, let's get to the actual matchup.
Como are extremely comfortable on the ball and have become very difficult to press. They can control the midfield, but they're also dangerous when transitioning quickly into attack.
Defensively, they were outstanding last season as well.
Como conceded only 29 Serie A goals, the fewest in the league.
They've also entered this match in excellent form after back-to-back wins over Napoli and Genoa. More importantly, Como controlled large portions of both matches.
Leipzig, meanwhile, have struggled to begin the season.
I'm not convinced their midfield has the quality to slow down Como for an entire match. That becomes even more concerning with the emotion surrounding this historic home opener.
This feels like a spot where Como will want to make a statement.
Then, of course, we have Nico Paz.
He's the player I trust most to make something happen when Como get into dangerous areas. Whether he's creating the final pass or finishing the chance himself, he always seems to be involved.
Therefore, I'm attacking Como in two different ways.
I like the hosts to score multiple goals, while Paz gives us direct exposure to their most dangerous attacking piece.
There's a lot working against Leipzig here, and I'm willing to back the home side.
Plays: Como Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-140), Nico Paz To Score or Assist (-110)
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