Soccer Betting News This Month | Champions League Returns, Match Reports & Analysis | October 2026

by Johnny Francisco

Updated: October 1, 2026

2026/27 European club football will return this month following the first extended international break of the season.

The start of the campaign has seen a number of big moments already across the world, with top teams in the world starting well after a very busy summer transfer window, which also included the incredible World Cup tournament.

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What’s been happening this week?

The English Premier League saw Manchester City continue their 100% record for the season to make it five wins from five games. City have now also been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges they faced for financial doping, which could see them hit with a major points deduction, as well as historic titles being stripped, and potentially a transfer ban and fine too. They are set to appeal the decision, which means sanctions are yet to be handed down.

Europe’s top leagues have also started interestingly, with Barcelona also maintaining a 100% record so far, but Real Madrid fell further behind them in the league table after falling to a 2-1 defeat against local rivals Atletico Madrid before the break. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund sit top of the Bundesliga table with a perfect record, ahead of Bayern Munich. Paris Saint-Germain have struggled domestically so far, and sit sixth after five games.

The Champions League also saw its first round of fixtures, with PSG sitting top of the standings following a 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. Man Utd also returned to the competition with a 4-0 win over Sabah.

The MLS season continued with Nashville leading the Eastern Conference, while Inter Miami remain in the playoff picture after a difficult run of league form. Lionel Messi‘s side did win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, but their recent MLS results have been less convincing.

England

After a perfect start to their season, reigning champions Arsenal fell to a shock first defeat of the season as they were thrashed 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break.

Man City now sit three points clear at the top of the league with five wins from five, having defeated Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry, Man Utd, and Sunderland.

Liverpool have continued to transition under new manager Andoni Iraola, and the team are unbeaten in the league, although they have won just two of their five games. Chelsea have seven points from 15 under Xabi Alonso, after being well-beaten by Brentford – extending them to three games without a win in the top-flight.

Tottenham Hotspur finally managed to score their first goals of the season last time out, despite spending almost £400m during the transfer window, but they fell to another defeat against Aston Villa, and sit rock bottom of the table. Villa’s win, meanwhile, took them up to 16th in the table.

Spain

Barcelona have started their La Liga title defence in picture-perfect fashion, winning each of their first seven games and scoring 31 goals in the process, as Lamine Yamal continues his push to win the Ballon d’Or.

Real Madrid have responded with five wins from their first seven games, but fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their last game, leaving them six points off the top and fourth in the table.

Germany

The Bundesliga season has begun, and surprisingly, it’s Borussia Dortmund who have had the perfect start to the campaign, sitting top with a 100% record after four games. Bayern Munich remain unbeaten, sitting two points behind them, with the two teams scheduled to meet at the end of the month.

France

Paris Saint-Germain are, rightfully, the favorites to win the French title yet again this season, but Luis Enrique’s side have started the campaign slowly, with just two wins in their first five games. The team has managed just eight goals in those five matches, with new signing Ferran Torres hitting the ground running with seven goals in four starts since joining from Barcelona.

Italy

Inter Milan and Roma had been inseparable at the top of the Serie A table, with both teams having won all four of their games before they met each other just before the international break. A thrilling game saw the sides draw 2-2, which allowed Lazio to catch them, with all three teams now sitting on 13 points.

MLS

Nashville sit top of the MLS Eastern Conference, while Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami remain among the leading playoff contenders following the summer addition of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

Vancouver lead the Western Conference by just three points ahead of the FC Dallas, but have played a game fewer, while Houston Dynamo have seen their form fall off, and now sit six points off the leaders.

The biggest betting soccer storylines this week

• Arsenal are the heavy odds-on favorites to win the Premier League again after their perfect start to the season, and are currently priced at -175. City have impressed too, but now sit at +335 following news of their guilty verdicts and potential points deductions. Chelsea are way out at +2000 following their defeat to Brentford, while Liverpool are now +1200.
• The 26/27 Champions League league phase draw gave each club eight fixtures. The opening games took place from September 8-10, and Barcelona are now among the market favorites at around +500. Holders PSG, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also remain among the leading contenders.
• For the first time this season, Inter Miami are no longer favorites to win the MLS Cup. Having been priced at +450 recently, they have now been pushed out to +600 following poor recent results. Vancouver have taken their spot as favorites and are priced at +420, having been +500 last month.
• Prior to the UEFA Europa League beginning, AC Milan, Juventus, and Bayer Leverkusen were all installed as co-favorites at +800. However, after the first game of the competition, Juventus have now pushed ahead as +650 favorites, with AC Milan and Bournemouth now +900, and Leverkusen priced at +1000.

Games to keep your eyes on this month

• Croatia vs England: The international window is still ongoing, and England travel to Croatia on October 3rd for their third UEFA Nations League game after facing Spain and Czechia in their opening two fixtures.
• USA vs Mexico: A huge international friendly clash on October 3rd between the two great rivals.
• Barcelona vs Real Madrid: The first El Clasico of the season will take place at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 25th and could have major implications in the Spanish league title race.
• Man Utd vs Tottenham: Man Utd have won just twice in all competitions so far, while Tottenham are bottom of the Premier League. Both teams need a win, desperately.
• Juventus vs Lazio: Two of Italy’s biggest clubs meet on October 18th, with Juventus hosting Lazio in Serie A.
• Liverpool vs Man City: Two Premier League title contenders meet at Anfield on October 11th in one of the biggest domestic games of the month.
• Man City vs Paris Saint-Germain: A huge clash between two of the favorites in the UEFA Champions League, as they meet in the League Phase on October 14th.
• Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona: PSG will follow that game up with another massive Champions League fixture against Barcelona on October 20th.
• Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Another big game between two teams considered to be favorites in this competition, as they meet on October 21st.

Previous betting news updates

• [September 2026]: Zinedine Zidane took charge of France’s national team for the first time, picking up two wins from his first two games against Turkey and Belgium.
• [September 2026]: Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of 115 charges against them for breaking financial rules.
• [September 2026]: Spain continued their stunning unbeaten run by defeating England 3-2 at Wembley.
• [September 2026]: Champions League begins.
• [August 2026]: Premier League begins, last minute transfer moves.
• [July 2026]: Spain win the 2026 World Cup!
• [July 2026]: Favorites France are out! Spain vs Argentina in the Final.
• [July 2026]: Top four teams in the FIFA rankings fill out the semi-finals.
• [July 2026]: Trump taints tournament, but USA out anyway!
• [July 2026]: Germany and Netherlands shoot home after penalties.
• [June 2026]: Group phase concludes. South Africa are first team eliminated in the knockouts.
• [June 2026]: Knockout rounds taking shape. All three hosts are through!
• [June 2026]: Hosts reach the knockouts. World Cup fever has now set in.
• [June 2026]: The World Cup begins! Messi becomes the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
• [June 2026]: Real Madrid have announced the signing of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer from Liverpool.
• [May 2026]: Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for a second consecutive season.
• [May 2026]: Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
• [May 2026]: Liverpool sacked Arne Slot as manager, and have replaced him with Andoni Iraola.

Johnny Francisco

Johnny’s passion for sport shaped his early career. After studying economics, he developed an interest in betting markets and later built experience across sports betting analysis, journalism, and media.