Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Can Aston Villa stage an upset vs. Barcelona?

Check out all the picks from our experts as the Champions League league phase rolls on

Nov 3, 2026 at 10:30 am ET • 4 min read

By Wednesday night, the UEFA Champions League league phase will be halfway over, leaving four games for each team to aim to cement their spot in the knockout stages. After a wild, goal-filled Matchday 3, Matchday 4 figures to bring even more excitement with numerous smaller clubs looking to punch above their weight against some of Europe's giants. But how will each game play out?

Here are our expert picks for this matchday:  

Every match streams live on Paramount+, your home for every Champions League game all season long, plus replays, highlights, and studio coverage breaking down the race for the top eight. 

Tuesday's Champions League schedule

Matchup	James Benge	Francesco Porzio	Pardeep Cattry	Chuck Booth	Roger Gonzalez
Galatasaray vs. Stuttgart	2-0	2-1	2-1	2-1	1-1
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sporting CP	0-1	1-1	0-1	0-1	1-1
Feyenoord vs. Inter	2-3	2-2	2-2	1-2	1-2
Bodo/Glimt vs. Lille	1-0	1-1	1-1	1-1	2-1
Atletico Madrid vs. Bayern Munich	1-2	2-1	1-2	1-1	2-2
Villarreal vs. PSG	0-2	0-3	0-2	1-3	0-4
Barcelona vs. Aston Villa	3-0	3-1	2-1	2-1	4-2
Man United vs. Roma	1-2	1-3	0-2	1-2	2-2
LASK vs. Slovan Bratislava	1-1	1-0	1-1	0-1	1-1

Game of the day: Barcelona vs. Aston Villa

Player to watch: Nicolas Jackson, Aston Villa -- The Senegal striker is in an outstanding run of form lately, his eight goals coming from shots worth barely half that value in xG, not bad for a player who had something of a reputation as a minus finisher whose greatest skill was getting chances at volume. Jackson will fancy his chances against Barcelona's high line. If he keeps up his hot streak, he might only need one opening to score. - James Benge

Man of the match: Raphinha, Barcelona -- Another impressive start of the season for the Brazilian striker who has already scored 17 goals in the opening 12 games in all competitions, also delivering three assists. He's in great form and alongside his team they are hoping to show also their potential outside Spain where they are expected to be one of the candidates for the final win of the tournament. -- Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Barcelona 2, Aston Villa 1 -- Aston Villa will be eager to face an understaffed Barcelona and will probably have their moments in what should be a thoroughly entertaining matchup. Barcelona, though, have enough attacking firepower to get out of the challenges Villa might pose. Expect players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to step up to the occasion.  -- Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Ross Barkley to have 1+ shots on target (+130): There has been a resurgence under Unai Emery as Barkley has been popping up from deep in midfield to wreak havoc. While Barcelona has plenty of firepower in attack, the lack of defensive depth will mean that Villa will have chances to make things happen, and Barkley is someone who will have a chance to put a few shots on target. There's also the added benefit of him being one of the Villa players on penalties, which adds to the opportunities.  -- Charles Booth

Here are our expert picks for this matchday:

Wednesday's Champions League schedule

Matchup	James Benge	Francesco Porzio	Pardeep Cattry	Chuck Booth	Roger Gonzalez
Fenerbahce vs. Liverpool	1-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-2
AEK Athens vs. Real Madrid	1-4	0-3	0-3	0-4	0-3
Lens vs. Como	1-0	1-3	0-2	0-1	2-2
Dortmund vs. Betis	3-1	2-1	2-1	2-2	2-2
RB Leipzig vs. Man City	0-2	2-3	0-3	1-2	1-5
Porto vs. Napoli	1-0	2-0	2-0	0-1	1-1
PSV vs. Club Brugge	2-2	2-1	2-2	2-3	2-1
Slavia Prague vs. Arsenal	0-3	0-4	0-3	0-2	0-2
Viking vs. Sabah	1-0	2-0	1-0	2-0	1-1

Game of the day: RB Leipzig vs. Man City

Player to watch: Antonio Nusa, RB Leipzig -- With six assists and four goals in the Bundesliga this season, the 21-year-old Nusa has the look of a player who may be establishing himself as one of Europe's best young attackers. Prove what he can do against Matheus Nunes and the rest of the Manchester City defense, and the Premier League clubs will surely be clamoring. -- James Benge

Man of the match: Erling Haaland, Manchester City -- This is one of those games when the Norwegian striker delivers. He already faced RB Leipzig multiple times when he played at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Manchester City. Haaland, who has scored four goals so far in the two Champions League matches played this season, needs to lead his team to victory after a disappointing defeat against Brighton over the weekend at the Etihad Stadium. -- Francesco Porzio

Prediction: RB Leipzig 0, Manchester City 3 -- RB Leipzig have started the season in a rough patch, which makes a meeting against Manchester City very untimely for them. Enzo Maresca's side are still a work in progress, but that is unlikely to be an issue on Wednesday, when they should be able to overpower their opponents with relative ease.  -- Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Erling Haaland to score first (+290): After failing to score against Brighton over the weekend, Haaland saw a seven-match scoring streak come to an end in Premier League play, and what better way to move on from that than by continuing his Champions League one. While Haaland didn't play against AEK Athens, he has four goals in only two Champions League appearances and will be a focal point yet again in an away trip to face the German side, and as City looks for a fast start, the Norwegian will be able to provide it.   -- Charles Booth