UEFA Champions League DFS & Prop Picks for Wednesday, October 21, 2026 

Matchweek 3 concludes with another nine-game slate on Wednesday afternoon after an exciting opening to the week on Tuesday. Wednesday’s action is headlined by a rematch of the 2024 Champions League Quarterfinals matchup between Arsenal and Bayern Munich. The Champions of England will now look to take down the Champions of Germany for the second straight season in the UCL league phase.

Here is a look at the players and teams to target across Wednesday’s nine-game slate. Be sure to check out our soccer betting trends page for data, odds and insights on every match.

Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Schedule

Team	Opponent	Time (ET)	📺
		12:45 p.m.	Paramount+
		12:45 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
		3 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	Paramount+
		3 p.m.	Paramount+

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig: Yan Diomandé 2+ Shots on Target (+120)

After completing a move to one of Spain’s biggest clubs in the summer transfer window, Ivorian Yan Diomandé has had a slow start at Real Madrid. The teenage superstar is gradually coming into his own, and those previously unfamiliar with him are beginning to understand why Florentino Pérez was willing to spend north of €100 million on the former Florida high school standout. Diomandé enters Wednesday’s Champions League clash against his former club RB Leipzig on a three-game streak with a goal or assist.

He was instrumental in Madrid’s 4-3 comeback win over Roma in Matchweek 2 and will be needed again, as the left side of the attack has struggled to generate consistent output going forward. The 19-year-old has taken eight shots across all three games since returning from the international break, including four in Real Madrid’s most recent La Liga win over Sevilla. Only two of those eight shots have been on target, but Diomandé is clearly becoming more aggressive in the final third and should continue that trend at home on Wednesday. With Real Madrid heavily favored in the Matchweek 3 showdown, look for Diomandé and the rest of José Mourinho’s attack to make life difficult for the German side.

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal: David Raya 4+ Saves (-105)

Wednesday’s marquee matchup pits one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking sides in Bayern Munich against one of the continent’s elite defensive units in Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s squad got the better of Bayern when the two sides met in England last season, defeating the Bundesliga champions 3-1 in the league phase. Spanish GK David Raya was barely tested in that game, making just one save, though he could face a far busier afternoon given how relentless Bayern have been in front of goal this season. The German giants are averaging the third-most shots per game through the first two matchdays at 25.0, with 10.0 per game on target.

Raya is as good as any goalkeeper in the world right now and will be up to the task against an ultra-aggressive Bayern side. The Spanish international has been central to Arsenal remaining the only team in the competition not to have conceded, though he is averaging just 1.5 saves per game so far. Arsenal’s defense has been exceptional at suppressing shot volume, but it could find it harder against a side that has already scored 37 goals across all competitions this season. With Arsenal arriving as significant underdogs on the road against the Bundesliga champions, expect Raya to be far more involved on Wednesday than he has been in the opening two matchdays.

Aston Villa vs. Viking: Johan Manzambi Anytime Goalscorer (+125)

The 21-year-old Swedish international is making waves after a blistering start to the season at his new club Aston Villa. Johan Manzambi moved to the Premier League after a strong campaign at Freiburg and has quickly made his mark, contributing six goal involvements for club and country through the opening weeks of the season. He has scored or assisted in four straight games since the international break, including the first Champions League goal of his career last week against Fenerbahçe. Manzambi is no stranger to European nights, finishing last season’s Europa League campaign with 4 goal contributions as Freiburg reached the final — only to lose to his current side Aston Villa.

The Birmingham club is now scoring freely after a slow start to the season. Following a busy transfer window that saw significant squad turnover, Manzambi and his teammates needed time to adapt to Unai Emery’s system, but they are now firing on all cylinders. The 21-year-old has been directly involved in three of the club’s nine goals over the last three games and is well placed to add another on Wednesday, with Villa heavily favored against Viking. The Norwegian side has conceded six goals in their first two Champions League games and now travel to one of Europe’s most intimidating venues, Villa Park. Look for Manzambi to extend his scoring run as Aston Villa move to 3-0-0 in the competition.

Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League DFS Picks

POS	Player	OPP	FPPG	Salary
F	N. Jackson	AVL vs VIK	24.3	$9,800
F	A. Ezzalzouli	BET vs FEY	20.4	$8,300
M	L. Karl	BAY vs ARS	4.7	$5,900
M	J. Bellingham	RMA vs RBL	10.0	$6,900
D	J. Timber	BAY vs ARS	22.2	$4,800
D	R. Calafiori	BAY vs ARS	–	$4,000
GK	D. Raya	BAY vs ARS	13.4	$4,500
UTIL	E. Buendía	AVL vs VIK	19.7	$5,800

Nicolás Jackson (Aston Villa, $9,800)

Nicolás Jackson helped set the tone for Aston Villa in their historic 6-0 victory over Fenerbahçe in last week’s Champions League matchup. The Senegalese striker now has three goals across his first two UCL appearances for his new club and has been crucial in leading the line for a side in top form. The 25-year-old has five goals for club and country this season and arrives at Wednesday’s matchup against Viking well-positioned to add to that tally. Viking have conceded six goals in two Champions League games, giving Jackson every reason to expect another productive evening.

Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis, $8,300)

Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli has quietly been one of Europe’s standout performers this season for Real Betis. The 24-year-old has scored in four straight games for club and country, including a stunning strike last week in Betis’ 3-2 win over Porto. He now has five goals this season in limited appearances and faces a Feyenoord side that has struggled to contain opponents through the first two matchdays, conceding seven goals in two games. It would be a surprise if Ezzalzouli left Wednesday’s contest without adding to that total.

Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, $5,900)

Bayern youngster Lennart Karl could make his first Champions League start of the season with teammate Michael Olise suspended after picking up a red card last week. The 18-year-old has been used mainly as a substitute this season but has shown flashes of quality in his minutes under Vincent Kompany. Last season, Karl became Bayern’s youngest-ever UCL scorer and broke Kylian Mbappé’s record as the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League games. The matchup against Arsenal is tough, but the teenager has delivered in big moments before and could do so again on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, $6,900)

Bellingham remains the steadying presence in Real Madrid’s squad through a turbulent start to the season. The 23-year-old contributed an assist at the weekend, though his influence extends well beyond his goal contributions this season. He still has 11 goal involvements for club and country but has been deployed deeper in midfield, shoring up one of the weaker areas of Real Madrid’s formation. He leads the squad with 1.54 xG in the Champions League without finding the net this season — numbers that suggest a goal is overdue.

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal, $4,800)

Timber’s return from injury has settled the Arsenal defense even further, with the club conceding just one goal across his three games back. The right back scored in last week’s 3-0 win over Lille but will likely be needed far more on the defensive end against a dangerous Bayern attack. Most of his contributions on Wednesday should come through tackles and clearances, though he remains a threat going forward from set pieces as well.

Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal, $4,000)

On the opposite flank, Arsenal’s star left back Riccardo Calafiori is also set to be heavily involved on Wednesday, with the Italian likely making his first Champions League appearance of the season. Calafiori has been used this campaign sparingly but has been positive on both ends of the pitch, working in tandem with new signing Christos Tzolis on the left side. The 24-year-old has four goal contributions for club and country and has not lost a step defensively either.

David Raya (Arsenal, $4,500)

We highlighted Raya in our props section and are backing that with a spot in our DFS lineup against Bayern. The Spanish goalkeeper kept a competition-high nine clean sheets last season in the Champions League and is once again on pace for a historic campaign, remaining the only keeper yet to concede through two matchdays. Keeping a clean sheet will be difficult against this Bayern attack, but the 31-year-old should see plenty of opportunities to rack up points on Wednesday.

Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa, $5,800)

We close out Wednesday’s lineup with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendía, who impressed with a goal from midfield in Matchweek 1 before being left on the bench last week. With Villa’s midfield dealing with some knocks, the Argentine should be reinserted into the starting lineup, where he has thrived when given the opportunity this season. Buendía has scored two goals despite frequently rotating through the center of the pitch and would add another attacking dimension to a Villa side expected to dominate Norwegian opposition on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo Credit: REUTERS