Matchday Two of the Champions League league phase is played on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October, with kick-offs at 18:45 and 21:00 (UEFA schedule, Central European time). Eighteen fixtures, two evenings, and a table that so far contains only first impressions. Five matches stand out.
Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain (Wednesday, 21:00). The holders arrive after a 6–1 win over Slovan Bratislava; City arrive after a 2–0 win at Porto and as leaders of the Premier League. FP3 reading: a narrow edge to City at home, with a draw the next most likely outcome.
Roma v Real Madrid (Wednesday, 21:00). Roma took a point at Fenerbahçe; Real Madrid beat Inter 2–1. Madrid are the stronger side on paper and on current form, and Roma need a performance as much as a result. FP3 reading: Real Madrid, with Roma competitive for an hour.
Arsenal v Lille (Tuesday, 21:00). Arsenal won 1–0 at Napoli; Lille lost 3–2 at home to Real Betis. FP3 reading: Arsenal, and the more interesting question is by how much.
Galatasaray v Barcelona (Tuesday, 21:00). Galatasaray lost 3–1 at Sporting CP; Barcelona arrive with a 5–1 win and a perfect La Liga record. FP3 reading: Barcelona, with Galatasaray’s home crowd the only variable that matters.
Atlético Madrid v Manchester United (Tuesday, 21:00). Atlético lost 2–1 at Liverpool; United beat Sabah 4–0. The most open match of the five: slight edge to Atlético at home, but United’s attacking form makes this the likeliest upset on the list.
Also worth watching: Viking v Bayern Munich, Inter v Club Brugge, Villarreal v Napoli, Bodø/Glimt v Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord v Como. The FP3 readings above are editorial leans formed from Matchday One. They are not registered forecasts and are not entered in the Previsioni & Riscontri register.