Will Travel Delays Affect the Gunners? Three Plays for Today’s (9/9) UCL Slate
Written by: BettingThePitch
Published: Wed Sep 09, 2026, 8:00 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
UEFA
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+0.75
106
2.25
+117u
+470
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-0.5
-160
2
-105o
-155
We're off to a great start with our Champions League plays after going two wins and a draw yesterday.
We also saw big victories from Aston Villa and Manchester City. Both were sides that I think most people, myself included, had some concerns about entering difficult road matches.
Now, we turn our attention to another loaded Champions League slate.
Barcelona, PSG, and Arsenal are among the big names kicking off their European campaigns today. There's plenty to choose from, but I have two matches that really stand out.
With that said, 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
- Luis Suarez Anytime Goalscorer (+100)
- Sporting CP Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-140)
- Arsenal Moneyline (-125)
Sporting CP vs. Galatasaray
Luis Suarez and Sporting CP need a win on the road today against Arsenal to keep their UCL run alive
Let's start with the visiting side because Galatasaray enter this matchup with some significant absences.
They'll be without three starters, and I believe all three losses are impactful.
First, Galatasaray will be without their best player and striker, Victor Osimhen, who is dealing with muscle soreness. Additionally, two starting center backs, Wilfried Singo and Mario Lemina, are unavailable for this matchup.
Those are some massive pieces to be missing for a difficult Champions League road match.
Meanwhile, Sporting have been a dominant force at home over the years. Last Champions League season, they averaged nearly three goals per game on their own pitch.
That attacking form has carried into the new season as well.
Sporting have scored at least twice in every match this season, and Luis Suarez has been leading the way. No, not that Luis Suarez.
Sporting's striker enters this matchup having scored in three straight matches and looks extremely confident in front of goal.
On the other side, Galatasaray have struggled defensively to begin the season.
They've conceded at least twice in four of their five matches, including twice at home. Now, they'll be without two starting center backs against an attack that has been rolling.
That's a major concern.
Furthermore, losing Osimhen could make it much harder for Galatasaray to relieve pressure and hold possession higher up the pitch.
Sporting should be able to control long stretches of this match as a result.
With the home crowd behind them, I expect the Portuguese side to attack early and look for a statement victory. After all, these are exactly the matches you want to take three points from in the new Champions League format.
I'm not sure Galatasaray have enough defensively to slow them down for 90 minutes.
Therefore, I'm attacking this matchup in two different ways.
Suarez at even money is my favorite goalscorer angle, while Sporting's team total gives us exposure to the entire attack.
I expect goals from the hosts tonight.
Plays: Luis Suarez Anytime Goalscorer (+100), Sporting CP Team Total Over 1.5 Goals (-140)
Napoli vs. Arsenal
I really don't want to overthink this one.
Getting Arsenal moneyline at a playable number in the Champions League feels close to an automatic look right now.
The Gunners lost only once during their entire Champions League campaign last season. That lone defeat came against PSG in the final.
More importantly, Arsenal conceded only four goals across eight Champions League matches.
They haven't missed much of a beat to begin the 2026-27 season either. However, there is one situation worth monitoring before kickoff.
As I'm writing this article, Arsenal's flight to Naples was delayed because of air traffic control issues in London.
The team didn't arrive in Italy until around 9:30 p.m. local time. As a result, they also missed their scheduled press conference.
Is that slightly concerning? Sure.
Does it make me want to get off the Arsenal moneyline? Not really.
This squad is filled with veterans and players who understand how to prepare for matches at the highest level. Therefore, I trust the club to manage the situation properly before kickoff.
On the other side, Napoli haven't exactly enjoyed Champions League football recently.
They have only two wins across their last 10 matches in this competition.
Additionally, they're coming off an absolute heartbreaker against Inter Milan.
Napoli led 2-0 in the second half before Inter stormed back with three unanswered goals. Lautaro Martinez eventually scored the late winner, crushing Napoli and their traveling supporters.
Now, they have to turn around and face the champions of England.
That's a brutal spot.
Napoli are also dealing with injuries and could have only four midfielders available for this matchup.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's midfield has the quality and physicality to completely smother teams when given an advantage in the middle.
We just saw what they can do against a depleted midfield in their last match against Chelsea. I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar approach here.
Of course, playing in Naples is never easy, and the atmosphere should be fantastic.
Still, I think Arsenal are the better team and match up extremely well with Napoli's current weaknesses.
At -125, I'm willing to keep this one simple.
Give me the Gunners to start their Champions League campaign with three points.
Play: Arsenal Moneyline (-125)
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