Will There Be Goals in Paris? Expert Picks for Tuesday’s UCL Slate
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Tue Oct 20, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
UEFA
Champions League football is back!
We're coming off an excellent week with our article plays, and I'm looking to carry that momentum into today's slate.
Last week, we saw an incredible 78 goals across 18 Champions League matches. That's an average of 4.33 goals per game!
I mean, those are some ridiculous numbers.
Now, the question is whether we'll see that same level of attacking football this week.
Fortunately, there's one matchup that really stands out to me today.
We're getting two of the best teams in the world going head-to-head, and I have three plays I want to attack.
Let's get into it!
Head over to our Soccer Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis, or read my best bets below.
Featured Plays
- PSG vs. Barcelona Over 4 Goals (-130)
- Ousmane Dembélé Anytime Goalscorer (+100)
- Lamine Yamal Anytime Assist (+200)
PSG vs. Barcelona
This might be the biggest match of the entire week, regardless of competition.
Two of the best teams in world football are meeting on the biggest stage in Europe.
We have the back-to-back Champions League winners, PSG, hosting a Barcelona side that has been absolutely unstoppable offensively.
The visitors are averaging around four goals per game this season and have yet to lose a match.
Those are video game numbers.
However, PSG have been playing some fantastic football themselves.
The French giants enter this matchup riding a six-game winning streak. Additionally, they were able to rotate several players over the weekend and still secure a road victory in Ligue 1.
That should leave them in a good position physically heading into this massive matchup.
More importantly, PSG's attack has been clicking.
They traveled to Manchester in their last Champions League fixture and put four goals past Manchester City.
That's no easy accomplishment.
However, I have some serious concerns about PSG defensively heading into today's match.
The biggest issue is the absence of Nuno Mendes at left back.
In my opinion, Mendes is one of the best left backs in world football. His ability to defend one-on-one against elite wingers is a massive part of PSG's success.
Now, they'll have to face Lamine Yamal without him.
That's a major problem.
Lucas Digne is expected to fill that role, and he'll have his hands full trying to contain the Barcelona superstar.
Even with Mendes available, slowing down Yamal is an extremely difficult assignment.
Without him, I think Barcelona will look to attack that side of the pitch early and often.
Additionally, PSG haven't kept a clean sheet in four consecutive matches.
Now, they have to face arguably the most dangerous attack in football without one of their best defenders.
That's not exactly an ideal situation.
However, Barcelona have shown defensive vulnerabilities of their own.
Their aggressive approach creates plenty of scoring opportunities, but it can also leave space for opponents to exploit.
Against a PSG attack with this much talent, I expect those openings to be punished.
The recent scoring trends also support a high-scoring matchup.
Barcelona have seen at least three goals in 10 of their 11 matches this season.
Meanwhile, six of the last seven meetings between these clubs have produced at least three goals.
Both Teams To Score has also cashed in six consecutive head-to-head matchups.
Those are some impressive trends heading into today's game.
More importantly, both teams have the attacking quality to produce multiple goals themselves.
We have two world-class offenses facing defenses that have struggled and are missing important pieces.
Ultimately, I find it difficult to imagine this match not producing at least four goals.
I'm willing to pay the -130 for Over 4 because we get our money back if the match finishes with exactly four.
However, I think there's a realistic chance we see five or more.
Give me an absolute goal fest in Paris!
Play: PSG vs. Barcelona Over 4 Goals (-130)
Who Will Find the Goals and Assists?
There is so much attacking talent in this match that choosing individual player props almost feels like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Seriously, where do you even start?
However, two players really stand out to me based on their recent form and today's matchups.
Ousmane Dembélé:
I'm starting with PSG's main man up top, Ousmane Dembélé.
He didn't have the greatest start to the season, dealing with fatigue and a few other issues.
However, we've started to see him return to his best over the past several weeks.
Before the international break, Dembélé scored twice and recorded three assists across three matches.
That's five goal contributions in just three games.
More importantly, he's carried that form into his return from international duty.
Dembélé has scored in both matches he's played since the break, starting one and coming off the bench in the other.
That's exactly the type of form I want when backing an anytime goalscorer.
Additionally, he's PSG's penalty taker, which gives us another avenue to cash this bet.
He actually missed a penalty over the weekend.
However, he responded later in the match by scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.
I love seeing that type of response from an attacking player.
Now, he gets a Barcelona defense that has been vulnerable throughout the season.
Barcelona's aggressive high line should give Dembélé opportunities to attack space behind the defense.
Meanwhile, PSG have the quality in midfield to find him in dangerous positions.
I expect both teams to create plenty of chances, and Dembélé should be heavily involved in PSG's attack.
At even money, I'm happy to back him to find the net.
Play: Ousmane Dembélé Anytime Goalscorer (+100)
Lamine Yamal:
Barcelona and Lamine Yamal travel to Paris for a clash against the defending champs.
On the other side, I have to target Lamine Yamal.
The absence of Nuno Mendes is simply too important to ignore in this matchup.
Mendes is one of the few defenders capable of consistently making life difficult for someone like Yamal.
Even then, we've already seen Lamine have success against him.
Now, with Mendes unavailable, Barcelona should have an even bigger advantage down that side.
And let's not forget the ridiculous form Yamal has been in this season.
He has eight goals and six assists through nine La Liga matches.
Additionally, he's recorded one goal and four assists across two Champions League appearances.
That's 19 goal contributions in just 11 matches across those competitions.
Absolutely incredible.
However, it's not just the production that makes this matchup appealing.
It's how Barcelona can attack PSG's weakened left side.
I expect the visitors to look for Yamal early and give him plenty of opportunities in one-on-one situations.
From there, he can either cut inside and create for himself or deliver dangerous balls into the penalty area.
That's where I think the assist opportunity becomes extremely interesting.
If Raphinha returns from injury and starts, he'll give Yamal another dangerous attacking option.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus could also benefit from those deliveries if he gets the nod up top.
Either way, Barcelona have plenty of players capable of finishing the chances Yamal creates.
More importantly, I expect Barcelona to score multiple goals in this matchup.
If that's the case, there's a very good chance Yamal will be involved in at least one of them.
He's been one of the most productive attacking players in Europe, and today's matchup could give him even more space to operate.
Ultimately, I love the combination of his current form, PSG's defensive absences, and Barcelona's attacking approach.
At +200, I think we're getting an excellent number for Yamal to record an assist.
Give me the Spanish superstar to create at least one goal in what should be an incredible Champions League matchup.
Play: Lamine Yamal Anytime Assist (+200)
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