Can Arsenal Find Success in Germany? Expert Picks for Wednesday’s UCL Slate
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Wed Oct 21, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
UEFA
Another crazy day of goals in the Champions League yesterday!
We cashed our Over 4 in the PSG vs. Barcelona matchup, but unfortunately, the player props didn't go our way.
Ousmane Dembélé picked up an injury in the first half and was forced off early. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal finished with one goal contribution, but it was a goal rather than the assist we needed.
However, we're moving on to another loaded Wednesday slate with plenty of opportunities across Europe.
Today, I'm targeting two team totals that really stand out to me.
One involves continuing to fade a struggling Manchester United side. Meanwhile, the other takes us to Germany, where I think Arsenal can cause serious problems for Bayern Munich.
Let's get into the plays!
Head over to our Soccer Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Featured Plays
Como vs. Manchester United
Nico Paz and Como host a struggling Manchester United side.
I'm going to continue fading Manchester United until they give me a reason to stop.
This team simply hasn't shown enough consistency, and the results continue to reflect that.
United lost on the road to Atletico Madrid in last week's Champions League fixture. Then, they followed that performance with a disappointing draw against Leeds over the weekend.
They still have just two wins this season.
Those victories came against Ipswich in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League.
Neither result is exactly something to write home about.
However, it's United's defensive performances that really concern me heading into today's matchup.
They haven't kept a clean sheet in six consecutive matches. Additionally, they're conceding an average of 1.5 goals per 90 minutes away from home this season.
Those numbers aren't encouraging when you're preparing to face a dangerous Como side in Italy.
I've been impressed with what Cesc Fàbregas has built at this club.
Como have developed into a very competitive team, especially when playing in front of their home supporters.
Interestingly, this will be just their fourth home match of the season.
As I mentioned in a previous article, Como began the campaign with renovations taking place at their stadium.
The club widened the pitch, installed a faster playing surface, and added more seating for supporters.
Those improvements were designed to benefit the type of football Fàbregas wants his team to play.
Now, we're starting to see the results.
Como enter this matchup following an impressive road victory over Fiorentina over the weekend.
Additionally, they defeated Leipzig 4-1 at home in their most recent Champions League fixture.
That's the type of performance that should give this squad plenty of confidence.
More importantly, Como have scored at least twice in two of their three home matches this season.
They've shown they can create chances and punish opponents when given space.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to struggle with their defensive organization and overall identity.
That's a dangerous combination against a Como team that likes to play aggressively at home.
I expect the Italians to control stretches of this match and create opportunities against United's back line.
Of course, Manchester United have enough individual talent to make things difficult.
However, until they show me they can consistently defend, I'm going to keep looking for opportunities to attack them.
Como have been excellent at home, while United have struggled to keep opponents off the scoresheet.
Ultimately, I think the hosts have more than enough attacking quality to find two goals today.
And at nearly even money, I really like the value.
Give me Como to put another strong performance together in front of their supporters.
Play: Como Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-105)
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal
I'm backing Arsenal to score at least twice on the road today.
At +150, this is a price I simply can't pass up.
Arsenal enter this matchup close to full strength, and I think they have a great opportunity against a vulnerable Bayern Munich defense.
We've already seen what the Gunners can do against this German side.
Last season, Arsenal completely dominated Bayern in their Champions League meeting in England.
Yes, that match was played at home, but Arsenal controlled the game and created plenty of opportunities.
More importantly, they did it with a squad that wasn't nearly as strong as the one they'll have available today.
That's a major reason I like their chances in this matchup.
Meanwhile, Bayern will be without Michael Olise, which is a significant loss for the hosts.
Olise brings creativity, movement, and attacking quality that isn't easy to replace.
However, his absence could also make it more difficult for Bayern to establish control in midfield and sustain attacking pressure.
That's an area where I think Arsenal can have a real advantage.
The Gunners have the quality to dominate possession and make life extremely difficult for Bayern.
Additionally, Bayern's defensive numbers have been concerning throughout the season.
They've kept just three clean sheets in 10 matches. Meanwhile, they've conceded in each of their last three games.
Despite coming off an impressive home victory over Leipzig, I still have serious questions about this defense.
Bayern have struggled with their organization in midfield and along the back line.
We've seen opponents consistently create dangerous opportunities against them.
In their last Champions League match, Bayern conceded three goals against Norwegian side Viking.
They also allowed two goals against a struggling Augsburg team the week before.
Those aren't exactly encouraging results when you're preparing to face Arsenal.
However, it's not just the goals conceded that concern me.
Bayern have also been allowing high expected-goals numbers and plenty of big chances inside their own penalty area.
That tells me the defensive issues go beyond a few unlucky finishes.
Opponents are consistently getting into dangerous positions and creating quality scoring opportunities.
Now, they have to face one of the most complete teams in European football.
Arsenal have been outstanding in the Champions League, losing just once in their last 18 matches.
That's an incredible run of consistency at this level.
More importantly, this team has shown it can compete with Europe's best, regardless of the venue.
I expect Arsenal to approach this match with confidence and look to take control of the midfield early.
With Olise unavailable, Bayern could struggle to match Arsenal's creativity and intensity in that area.
Additionally, I think the Gunners have the attacking quality to exploit the spaces Bayern have been leaving defensively.
This could be a matchup where Arsenal create chance after chance inside the penalty area.
Of course, winning in Munich is never easy.
However, I'm not asking Arsenal to win this match.
I simply need them to score twice against a defense that has been giving up quality opportunities all season.
Given Arsenal's current Champions League form and Bayern's defensive struggles, I think that's a very realistic target.
Ultimately, I wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal control large portions of this match.
And if they want to leave Germany with a positive result, I think they'll need at least two goals.
At +150, I love the value we're getting on the visitors.
Give me Arsenal to find the back of the net at least twice today!
Play: Arsenal Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (+150)
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