The Champions League Is Back! Expert Picks for Today’s (10/13) UCL Slate
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Tue Oct 13, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
UEFA
THE CHAAAAAAAMPIONS!
Champions League football is back, and we have a loaded slate of matches over the next two days!
With 18 games on the schedule, there are plenty of opportunities to find value across Europe. However, I'm being selective with the matchups I want to attack.
I'll have another article out tomorrow covering Wednesday's slate. For now, we're focusing on two matches that really stand out to me.
We're backing goals in France and looking for Barcelona to continue their ridiculous form in Turkey.
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
Lens vs. Sporting CP
We're starting with the opening match of this week's Champions League slate.
Lens welcome a very good Sporting CP side that has been playing some excellent football to begin the season.
The visitors have yet to lose a match across all competitions. Additionally, they've scored 20 goals through eight domestic league games.
Sporting have also been extremely dangerous away from home, averaging more than two goals per road match.
They opened their Champions League campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Galatasaray. Now, they'll travel to France looking to build on that performance.
However, Lens enter this matchup with some momentum of their own.
The hosts are coming off a big home victory in Ligue 1 over the weekend. While their attack has produced, the defense continues to be a concern.
Lens haven't kept a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches.
In fact, their only clean sheet this season came against PSG in the Super Cup before the domestic campaign began.
Even that 1-0 victory was far from convincing defensively.
PSG created 1.8 expected goals in that match and were unfortunate not to find the back of the net.
That defensive vulnerability has continued throughout the season.
Six of Lens' last seven matches have finished with at least three goals. Meanwhile, Sporting haven't kept a clean sheet in their last four games.
The Portuguese side have also been involved in plenty of high-scoring matches.
Eight of Sporting's last 10 games have produced at least three goals.
More importantly, they have the attacking quality to put this Lens back line under serious pressure.
I expect Sporting to create chances throughout the match, especially with the form they've shown going forward.
However, I also like Lens' chances of contributing.
They're playing at home, coming off a strong weekend performance, and facing a Sporting defense that has been conceding regularly.
That combination makes this a very appealing matchup for goals.
Both attacks have been producing, while neither defense has given me much confidence recently.
Give me goals to open the Champions League slate!
Play: Lens vs. Sporting CP Over 3 Goals (-110)
Galatasaray vs. Barcelona
Barcelona and Lamine Yamal travel to Turkey for a clash against top Turkish side Galatasaray.
I have to get some Barcelona exposure today.
This team is playing on an entirely different planet right now, and I wanted to find a way to back them.
Of course, the sportsbooks know how dangerous Barcelona are, which explains the heavily juiced prices.
However, one thing Barcelona haven't done consistently is keep opponents off the scoresheet.
As long as Hansi Flick continues playing that aggressive high defensive line, opposing teams will have opportunities to score.
That's why I like combining the Barcelona moneyline with Both Teams To Score.
First, let's talk about how ridiculous this Barcelona attack has been.
The visitors are unbeaten this season and have scored 39 goals across all competitions.
That's an average of 4.33 goals per match.
I mean, those are video game numbers.
Barcelona are creating chances at will, and their attacking movement has been nearly impossible for opponents to contain.
Now, they travel to Turkey for what should be one of the toughest atmospheres they'll face this season.
RAMS Park is no joke.
Galatasaray supporters are among the most passionate in Europe, and that stadium will be rocking from the opening whistle.
However, I don't think the atmosphere alone will be enough to slow down this Barcelona attack.
Galatasaray have managed just two clean sheets all season. More concerning, they've been conceding against clubs in the bottom half of the Turkish league table.
That's a major red flag when you're preparing to face an offense producing more than four goals per match.
Still, I don't want to completely dismiss the hosts.
Galatasaray have some legitimate attacking talent, with players like Victor Osimhen, Rafael Leao, and Gabriel Sara capable of causing problems.
More importantly, Barcelona's defensive approach gives those players opportunities to attack space behind the back line.
The Champions League numbers are especially interesting.
Barcelona have kept just two clean sheets across their last 25 away matches in the competition.
Additionally, Both Teams To Score has cashed in 14 of their last 16 Champions League road games.
That's a trend I certainly can't ignore.
Barcelona's high line has been a consistent part of Flick's system. While it helps them dominate possession and overwhelm opponents, it also leaves them vulnerable in transition.
Against a Galatasaray side with this much attacking talent, I think the hosts can take advantage at least once.
However, I still expect Barcelona to be far too much for them over 90 minutes.
The visitors should create plenty of chances against a defense that has struggled to keep much weaker opponents off the scoresheet.
At even money, I love the value on this combination.
Play: Barcelona Moneyline + Both Teams To Score (+100)
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