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There's still all to play for as we race towards the conclusion of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League first phase. The competition currently has 36 teams, but only 24 can advance to the knockout stages. The eight best-performing clubs automatically secure a spot in the finals, leaving those finishing from ninth to 24th place with a playoff.
Round six brings armchair fans an action-packed midweek. Followers enjoy nine matches on Tuesday, with another nine played on Wednesday. Kick-off times range from 17:45 to 20:00 GMT, with every fixture broadcast on television and the best live-streaming apps. The leading bookmakers offer pre-match and live betting odds, specials, and promotions.
Which teams will secure a vital three points and bolster their chances of playing knockout football against the cream of the continent? Experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse uses the stats and trends available on the Flashscore app and website to find his strongest bets. Keep reading for six picks from round six of the Champions League.
Bayern Munich v Sporting, Tuesday, 17:45 GMT
Our first of six picks from across two days of Champions League football comes from Germany. Bayern Munich host Sporting Lisbon in Tuesday's early kick-off to get things moving. The home team is all but guaranteed a place in the next round, but plan to bounce back to winning ways after suffering a surprise 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in the previous round.
Sporting rank as the competition's surprise package so far. The visitors start the round eighth in the table, desperately holding on to an automatic place in the finals. A win in Germany would go some way to ensuring Sporting avoid the drama of the playoffs and can begin to plan for an extended run in this season's competition. Can they win in Munich?
Sporting have impressed so far, with their stats showing three wins, one draw, and a defeat, scoring 11 goals and conceding five. Unfortunately for the away team, they find Munich in a foul mood following that loss at the Emirates Stadium. Pressure is on the Germans to respond in style, and the home win will be a popular pick in midweek accumulators.
Tip: Bayern Munich win @ 1/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Bayern Munich beat Sporting Lisbon, you'll land a profit.
Atalanta v Chelsea, Tuesday, 20:00 GMT
Moving to the later starts for our second bet, and we're shining the spotlight on an interesting Italy v England clash. Atalanta are the home team for the visit of the Club World Cup champions, Chelsea. The Serie A side lost their first match, but are unbeaten since, winning three and drawing the spare. Atalanta are level on points with Chelsea and the top eight.
Chelsea start round six three places higher than their hosts in the league, but both clubs have ten points. The Blues also lost their first UCL outing this season but recovered to win, draw, and win. The Londoners have already scored 12 goals and conceded six, thumping Barcelona 3-0 last time out at Stamford Bridge. Another win would improve their position.
There's very little between these teams on paper, but I'm siding with an away win for the club from the English Premier League. Chelsea were sublime when putting three goals past the mighty Barca without reply. They were also unlucky not to beat Arsenal in the EPL recently. Chelsea are fantastic on their day, and anywhere near their best will be good enough here.
Tip: Chelsea win or draw @ 2/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Anything but a home win will see you bank a profit from this game.
Inter Milan v Liverpool, Tuesday, 20:00 GMT
Our final pick of three on Tuesday evening comes from Italy as Inter Milan play Liverpool. The Serie A giants finished as runners-up behind PSG in last season's final. Inter were well beaten by the Parisians, but they've come back for more, and are currently fourth in the table. A home win over the team from Anfield would further boost confidence in the camp.
Liverpool are struggling this season, and the squad looks some way off the team that romped to the Premier League title last time. Arne Slot's job is rumoured to be hanging in the balance, with Liverpool eighth in the EPL after losing four of their previous six. Things aren't going any better in Europe, with Liverpool starting the round in 13th with nine points.
The head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app show Inter Milan and Liverpool have served up some classic encounters over the years. Inter won 1-0 when the sides last went toe-to-toe, with Lautaro Martinez making the difference just after the hour mark. I'm sticking with the Italians, who have the home advantage and boast better form than their rivals.
Tip: Inter Milan win or draw @ 4/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Either a home win or a draw will land you a profit from this match.
Athletic Club v PSG, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Moving to Wednesday, and Spanish La Liga side Athletic Club roll out the red carpet for French Ligue 1 and Champions League winners PSG. The campaign isn't going too well for the home team so far, and they started the round outside of the prize places in 27th spot. Stats of one win, a draw, and three defeats do little to inspire confidence in a home win.
PSG start second in the ladder behind early leaders Arsenal. The Parisians destroyed Milan in last season's final to lift their first UCL trophy. Many respected pundits and online betting apps have PSG as the favourites to successfully defend the silverware. That won't be decided here, but the away team can glide towards the knockout stages with three points.
It's challenging to make a strong case for Athletic Club getting anything out of this match. Even their most loyal fans understand the team faces a huge task in trying to stop the PSG express train. Athletic have already conceded nine goals and face a PSG attack that racked up 19 goals in their first five games. PSG are the league's top scorers at present.
Bet explanation: If PSG beat Athletic Club, you'll see a return.
Club Brugge v Arsenal, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Club Brugge battled through the qualifiers to snatch a place in this season's Champions League, but fans may wonder why they bothered. The locals have managed just one win from five attempts, drawing one, and losing the other three. They've scored eight goals, which is decent, but have already conceded 13, proving where their problems lie.
Arsenal travel to Bruge as the new leaders of the Champions League. The Gunners upset the odds when beating Bayern Munich in London, easing to a stunning 3-1 before a packed Emirates Stadium, with millions more watching on TV. Having set the standard, Arsenal must now maintain their standards. Another win would help them keep control of pole position.
Club Brugge won their opening match in this season's league phase, but have taken just one of the dozen points available since. Their defensive record is the worst of the top 27 teams in the competition. That'll catch the attention of a Gunners attack that has scored 14 goals and conceded only one to the mighty Bayern Munich. I expect the points to jet back to London.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 1/3 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal take three points, you'll collect a winner.
Real Madrid v Man City, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
We've saved the best for last, finishing with a mouth-watering Spain v England shoot-out. Real Madrid are the home team, and they welcome Manchester City in a match that has kept experts guessing this week. Traders working at the top betting apps have struggled to pin down their winner, making for a competitive pre-match market. Time to take advantage.
Man City are ninth in the table after suffering their first defeat of the UCL season last time out. The Citizens had won three games and drawn one before they were beaten at home by Bayer Leverkusen on matchday five. That was a game I expected them to win, but the loss reminded us we can't take anything for granted with Pep Guardiola's side this season.
Real Madrid v Manchester City is a blockbuster game that's good enough to be a final in any Champions League season. Both teams are expected to progress into the knockout stages, and it wouldn't surprise me to see either Blancos or City winning the title. In the meantime, we're siding with a home win for the higher-ranked team. Back Madrid to win.
Tip: Back Real Madrid to win @ 5/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Real Madrid beat Man City on Wednesday evening, you'll secure a payout.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.