Two Premier League squads contribute to my Champions League picks for Tuesday.
The pregame narrative: Tottenham has been playing inspiring soccer to start the season, and I'm targeting the Hotspur to get off to a good start in the UCL. Before that, Arsenal goes on the road to play Athletic Bilbao.
Check out the best Champions League predictions for the matches on Sept. 16, 2025.
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Champions League predictions
Matchup: Tottenham vs. Villarreal
Best bet: Tottenham to win (-112)
Tottenham has looked like a top-four EPL club through four matches.
- The side is 3-0-1 with a +7 goal differential (second best behind Liverpool).
- The loss was an ugly 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but I can overlook it when the wins have been so dominant.
- That was the only goal the Hotspur have conceded, with the three victories coming with a clean sheet.
- One of those wins was a 4-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Villarreal is 2-1-1 in La Liga but still feels a tier below the top teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
That was demonstrated in a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Villarreal was thoroughly outplayed on the road, giving up 63% of the possession.
I can't see the side walking into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and coming away with points.
Key stat: Tottenham is one of three Premier League teams that have allowed just one goal this season.
UCL best bet
Matchup: Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal
Arsenal to win (-105): Here's another London Club I like on Tuesday. And the Gunners also happen to play an opponent from Spain.
- Bilbao is third in La Liga with a 3-0-1 record but has yet to truly be tested.
- It has yet to play a top-six team and holds a +2 goal differential. That shows how close each contest has been despite the side having three wins.
According to Fotmob, Arsenal has the biggest average goal differential in the EPL through four games (+2.0).
The Gunners' lone defeat this season came against Liverpool, which is excusable considering the Reds will be a top EPL and UCL contender this season.
Bilbao just isn't in the same conversation. Arsenal should have no problem picking up three points on the road.
Champions League predictions made at 1:13 p.m. on 09/14/2025.
