UCL soccer betting preview & best bets | October 2, 2025

The UEFA Champions League rolls on this Thursday morning (AEST) with nine mouth-watering fixtures across Europe.

Heavyweights Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain face off in Spain, while Arsenal host Olympiacos at the Emirates.

Read on for our free UCL soccer betting tips and value plays for October 2, 2025.

• 

  Fast Payouts

Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United

Thursday, October 2 – 2:45am AEST – Lotto Park, Brussels, Belgium

Newcastle head to Belgium after a narrow 2–1 loss to Arsenal, but they’re still the higher-quality side with Premier League tempo. Union SG are flying at home in the Belgian league, yet this is a clear step up in class. Expect Newcastle’s set pieces and fresh legs off the bench to prove the difference late.

Qarabağ vs FC Copenhagen

Thursday, October 2 – 2:45am AEST – Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan

Qarabağ are rock-solid in Baku and carry confidence after a 3–2 Matchday 1 upset at Benfica. Copenhagen opened with a 2–2 home draw against Bayer Leverkusen and, while their recent league form is mixed, they’re well-drilled and hard to put away. With both sides in decent nick and little between them, a draw looks the play.

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona’s teen sensation Lamine Yamal teed up the winner in the 2–1 result over Real Sociedad on the weekend, and he keeps finding chances in the marquee matches. He’s already shown he can score at this level, and PSG have been leaky in defence so far this season. Yamal looks a cracking anytime goalscorer play in the Matchday 2 blockbuster clash.

AS Monaco vs Manchester City

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Stade Louis-II, Monaco

Manchester City are humming after a 2–0 UCL win over Napoli and a 5–1 league thumping of Burnley, showing plenty of firepower. Monaco score and concede in bunches; recent results include 5–2 against Metz, 3–1 at Lorient, and a 4–1 UCL loss to Club Brugge. Expect goals even if City boss it early.

Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Borussia Dortmund are on the up — unbeaten in seven and with four straight Bundesliga clean sheets. Athletic Club are a honest outfit but tend to create less away from home, which makes chasing a deficit tough. With the Yellow Wall behind them, Dortmund look a class above.

Napoli vs Sporting CP

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy

Napoli head back to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona needing a response after a 2–0 loss to Man City, and they usually lift at home. Sporting CP don’t sit back in Europe — they bagged four in their opener — but that adventure leaves space to exploit. Expect chances at both ends, with Napoli’s quality telling late.

Villarreal vs Juventus

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal, Spain

Juventus are unbeaten in Serie A, while a 4–4 shootout with Dortmund on UCL Matchday 1 highlighted their attacking punch. Villarreal have wobbled against stronger foes, losing 1–0 at Spurs in the UCL and 2–0 at Atlético in La Liga. With Juve looking sharper across the park, the Italians shape as value with top sports bookmakers.

Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV Eindhoven

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany

Bayer Leverkusen are ticking over nicely in front of goal — 2–1 at St. Pauli and 3–1 against Frankfurt — so creating chances shouldn’t be a problem. PSV went down 3–1 on Matchday 1 and are without striker Ricardo Pepi, which blunts their threat. In a game that shouldn’t be dour, Leverkusen look the goods.

Arsenal vs Olympiacos

Thursday, October 2 – 5am AEST – Emirates Stadium, London, England

Arsenal kicked off Europe with a tidy 2–0 win in Spain against Athletic Club and looked organised at the back. Olympiacos created little in a 0–0 home draw with Pafos on Matchday 1, so chances may be scarce for them in London. If the Gunners are serious UCL contenders, this should be comfortable at the Emirates.

Sports betting tips