The UEFA Champions League campaign continues Tuesday, October 21st, with 2 crunch Matchday 3 encounters that could potentially alter the tables drastically. FC Barcelona welcomes Olympiacos in a must-win game to recover lost ground, and Newcastle United hosts Benfica in a critical 6-pointer where the winner will close the gap in the chase for the Knockout Phase Play-Offs. We analyse the dynamics as it stands, recent form, injury news, and provide a tactical analysis for both high-pressure European games.

• Date: 21st October 2025

• Kick-off Time: 4:45 PM UTC

• Venue: Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona

Barcelona is struggling in the overall league phase standings and would welcome a positive home result to secure a more comfortable position.

• Current UCL Standing: 16th overall (3 points from 2 games).

• Latest UCL Form: Loss to PSG (1-2) and a win against Newcastle United (2-1).

• Key Statistic: Barcelona has won all their previous European home games against Greek sides.

Olympiacos is placed in the relegation zone and has yet to score a goal or record a win in the competition.

• UCL Standings Right Now: 29th overall (1 point from 2 games).

• Recent UCL Results: Arsenal lost 2-0 and Pafos drew 0-0.

• Stat to Note: Olympiacos have lost all their last 11 Champions League group stage/league phase matches.

Barcelona are beset by a long list of injuries to first-team regulars.

Injured/Out: Robert Lewandowski (hamstring), Marc-André ter Stegen (back), Gavi (knee), Raphinha (hamstring), Pedri (knee), Dani Olmo (calf), and Ferran Torres (muscular).

The Greek side has fewer injury issues but can be expected to be defensive in outlook.

Injured/Out: Rodinei (calf).

Doubtful: Gabriel Strefezza (match fitness).

Key Player: Ayoub El Kaabi will lead the line, and he has 5 strikes from 10 competitive appearances this season.

1. Barcelona Predicted XI (4-3-3): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin; De Jong, Garcia, Casado; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford.

2. Olympiacos Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega; Garcia, Hezze; Martins, Chiquinho, Podence; El Kaabi.

Yamal/Rashford vs Olympiacos Fullbacks: Barcelona's pace and creativity through Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford will look to destroy Olympiacos's defensive organisation and exploit space in the wings.

Midfield Control: Barcelona's first port of call will be dominating possession through Frenkie de Jong to ensure they break down a deep-sitting Olympiacos defence.

• Date: 21st October 2025

• Kick-off Time: 7:00 PM UTC

• Venue: St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle is seeking a statement home win to move into the seeded half of the Knockout Phase Play-Offs. They are coming off an impressive away win in their last European fixture.

• Current UCL Standing: 11th overall (3 points from 2 games).

• Recent UCL Results: Victory against Union Saint-Gilloise (4-0) and a Defeat to Barcelona (1-2).

• Key Stat: Newcastle has been strong in St James' Park, undefeated in their last 7 European home matches.

Benfica is eagerly waiting for its maiden Champions League group stage points and victory, having lost both of its opening matches.

• Current UCL Standing: 33rd overall (0 points from 2 matches).

• Recent UCL Results: Losses to Chelsea (0-1) and Qarabag (2-3).

• Key Stat: The Portuguese side has lost both their opening games, scoring 2 and conceding 4 goals.

Historical Trend: Newcastle failed to win in both competitive encounters with Benfica in the 2013 Europa League quarterfinals.

The Magpies have key players missing, especially at the back.

Injured/Out: Tino Livramento (knee), Lewis Hall (hamstring), and Yoane Wissa (knee).

Key Player: Nick Woltemade has been in scorching form lately, finding the net in 5 of his last 6 games for Newcastle.

Benfica also has a series of defensive and attacking injuries to deal with.

Injured/Out: Alexander Bah (knee), Armindo Bruma (Achilles), and Nuno Félix (knee).

Key Player: Vangelis Pavlidis is their biggest attacking threat, having scored 5 and assisted 2 league goals.

1. Newcastle Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Bruno Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

2. Benfica Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedić, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Ríos, Barrenechea, Aursnes; Lukébakio, Pavlidis, Sudakov.

Gordon's Pace vs Otamendi: Anthony Gordon's pace and directness will challenge the veteran experience of Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi down the flank.

Guimarães vs Aursnes: The midfield tussle for control will be decisive, pitting Bruno Guimarães's engine against central disruption in the form of Fredrik Aursnes.

Woltemade's Form: Striker Nick Woltemade's recent goal-scoring streak makes him the focal point of Newcastle's offense versus a Benfica defense struggling to keep clean sheets.

Odds retrieved for illustrative purposes.

Match 01: New Castle United FC and SL Benifica

Match 02: FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus

FC Barcelona vs Olympiacos: Given Olympiacos's goal shortage and Barcelona's decent home record against Greek sides, Barcelona to Win to Nil represents good value.

Newcastle vs Benfica: Given that both sides offer attacking threat and Newcastle's high tempo at home, Over 2.5 Goals are the value bet of choice.

Get more value for your betting with bonus offers:

• $50 Free Bonus

• 200% Deposit Bonus

• $25 & $1 Forever Bonus

Wager on your pick, whether Barcelona, or Newcastle, with greater value for your money. Wager wisely. Wager securely. Allow the excitement to persist.

Despite a long injury list, Barcelona has too much class and grit not to drop points at home, especially to a winless Olympiacos. The home side's priority will be to dominate possession and triumph by a confidence-boosting multi-goal margin to the good of their qualification hopes.

• Final Score Prediction: FC Barcelona 3 - 0 Olympiacos

Newcastle are the outright favorites going into the match, driven by their raucous home crowd and the sizzling form of their forwards like Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon. Benfica's issues with new management and their atrocious European beginning this season ensure that this is a tough fixture for the Portuguese side. The intensity of the Magpies should help them secure a vital three points.

• Final Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2 - 1 Benfica

The UEFA Champions League standings will be greatly impacted by the results of these two Matchday 3 games. A big win for FC Barcelona would put them firmly in the Knockout Phase Play-Off spot, while a win for Newcastle United would keep them firmly in the League Phase top 16, putting a lot of pressure on other teams that want to make it to the next rounds. Benfica, with zero points, faces an uphill battle, and a third consecutive loss would effectively end their hopes of qualification. Tuesday night's action is guaranteed to bring turning points that will shape the path to the knockout phase.