UEFA Champions League Picks Today: Our UCL Best Bets

No one will be surprised to see Benfica favored in the clash against Crvena Zvezda, but the odds for the Portuguese side are higher than expected. The gap between the two sides is huge, so I expected the oddsmakers to set the odds for the visitors around the -150 mark.

Benfica regularly reaches the knockout stages of the Champions League, while reaching the group stages is a huge success for Zvezda. The Serbian side can’t compare to the opposition in terms of resources and talent, so they will be hoping to get something from this match based on spirit and support from the crowd.

The Balkan fans can definitely give the players a boost, but I don’t think it would be enough against an opponent like Benfica.

This is one of the easiest games for the Portuguese side in the group stage, so a victory here is almost mandatory. Benfica should dominate this match and register a comfortable win, so anything at -130 or better for the visitors is among the best Champions League bets today.

Is Arsenal’s defense the best in the world this season? The Gunners looked unbreakable against a solid side like Tottenham, despite missing multiple key players in the middle of the park.

🔴 @Arsenal win three visits to Spurs in a row for the first time in the Premier League!#TOTARS pic.twitter.com/tVYDlqk7m1

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 15, 2024

The team will still miss Odegaard, Merino, and a few others, but Declan Rice will be back. This provides much-needed solidity in midfield, as the former West Ham captain protects the back four well.

His return should make Arsenal even tougher at the back, so I’m surprised to see the odds for under 2.5 sitting at evens. The Gunners mostly rely on their defense in away games, often keeping the opponents at bay and scoring once or twice to get the job done.

The team has conceded only once since the start of the season, and kept both Spurs and Aston Villa goalless away from home. Both sides are more potent than Atalanta, so another clean sheet is on the cards tonight.

Furthermore, I don’t expect too many goals from Arsenal without Odegaard and with a key clash against City in the EPL on Sunday. The Gunners will try to suffocate the opposition and win this one with their defense, so +100 for under 2.5 is fantastic value.