By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Champions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 3

Here are our predicted starting XIs for all 36 teams ahead of Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Champions League.
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Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Four German clubs – Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig – will be in action as the 2026/27 Champions League campaign continues this week.

Below, you’ll find our predicted lineups for all 18 upcoming fixtures, covering all 36 teams.

Champions League 2026/27 – Matchday 3 Predicted Lineups

Tuesday, 20th October

Fenerbahce vs. Slavia Prague predicted lineups

Sabah vs. Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups

Liverpool vs. Villarreal predicted lineups

Manchester City vs. AEK predicted lineups

Napoli vs. Bodø/Glimt predicted lineups

PSG vs. Barcelona predicted lineups

Porto vs. PSV predicted lineups

Roma vs. Slovan Bratislava predicted lineups

Stuttgart vs. Atletico Madrid predicted lineups

Wednesday, 21th October

Como vs. Manchester United predicted lineups

LOSC Lille vs. Galatasaray predicted lineups

Aston Villa vs. Viking predicted lineups

Betis vs. Feyenoord predicted lineups

Club Brugge vs. Lens predicted lineups

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal predicted lineups

Inter vs. Shakhtar Donetsk predicted lineups

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig predicted lineups

Sporting CP vs. Lask predicted lineups

Bundesliga news

Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 3
Rumor Eintracht FrankfurtTottenham scouting Eintracht Frankfurt forward
Rumor Eintracht FrankfurtAC Milan eye Krösche deal after Eintracht Frankfurt exit
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week – Matchday 6
Werder BremenWerder Bremen boss discusses "challenging" task of keeping West Ham loanee Niclas Füllkrug
Borussia DortmundDortmund announce squad for Sabah clash and reveal diagnosis on Karetsas' injury
Match report GermanyEuropean Roundup: Goretzka makes Premier League debut, Brandt leads Eredivisie scoring chart, Baur helps Celtic to 7-1 win
Match report Gladbach & Hoffenheim Hoffenheim end losing run with hard-fought victory over winless Gladbach
Eintracht FrankfurtMarkus Krösche leaves Eintracht Frankfurt with immediate effect
Post-match reaction Leverkusen & FreiburgIbrahim Maza and Patrik Schick hail Leverkusen partnership after Freiburg win
Post-match reaction Leverkusen & FreiburgFreiburg duo frustrated after Leverkusen defeat: "We didn't deserve to lose!"
Match report Leverkusen & FreiburgSchick makes history as Leverkusen fight back to beat Freiburg
Gladbach & Hoffenheim Confirmed lineups: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. TSG Hoffenheim
Post-match reaction RB Leipzig"Complete failure": Leipzig chief Schäfer tears into team after Bayern rout
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga: Karlsruher SC cruise past Darmstadt to end losing streak
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga: Dynamo Dresden end winless run with derby victory over Magdeburg
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga: Arminia Bielefeld leave it late to edge past VfL Osnabrück
Post-match reaction Werder Bremen & DFBNiclas Füllkrug sends clear message over National team return questions
Lerverkusen & FreiburgConfirmed lineups: Bayer Leverkusen vs. SC Freiburg

Table

Kickfieber

Match days

Match report Gladbach & Hoffenheim Hoffenheim end losing run with hard-fought victory over winless Gladbach
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week – Matchday 6
Post-match reaction Leverkusen & FreiburgIbrahim Maza and Patrik Schick hail Leverkusen partnership after Freiburg win
Post-match reaction Leverkusen & FreiburgFreiburg duo frustrated after Leverkusen defeat: "We didn't deserve to lose!"
Match report Leverkusen & FreiburgSchick makes history as Leverkusen fight back to beat Freiburg
Gladbach & Hoffenheim Confirmed lineups: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. TSG Hoffenheim
Post-match reaction RB Leipzig"Complete failure": Leipzig chief Schäfer tears into team after Bayern rout
Post-match reaction Werder Bremen & DFBNiclas Füllkrug sends clear message over National team return questions
Lerverkusen & FreiburgConfirmed lineups: Bayer Leverkusen vs. SC Freiburg
Post-match reaction RB Leipzig "We could have made five substitutions at half-time" – Demichelis reacts to Bayern rout
Post-match reaction Borussia Dortmund Dortmund sweat over Karetsas after ankle injury against Union Berlin
Post-match reaction FC Bayern“I'll be there whenever I'm needed”: Urbig on replacing Neuer for FC Bayern
Post-match reaction FC Bayern“I assume he'll be present against Arsenal”: Eberl replaces injured Kompany for press conference
Post-match reaction HSV, Stuttgart“It feels incredible” – Muheim shares delight after his second late winner for HSV
Match report FC Bayern, RB LeipzigRejuvenated Luis Diaz scores hat-trick as Bayern thrash Leipzig in Kane's 100th Bundesliga game
Post-match reaction Union BerlinUnion Berlin boss and goalkeeper hail defensive improvements after international break as they held Dortmund to goalless draw
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundRicken and Book share disappointment after Borussia Dortmund fail to score again
Match report Elversberg, AugsburgElversberg end three-game winless run at Augsburg's expense after seven-goal thriller
FC Bayern, RB LeipzigConfirmed Lineups: FC Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig
Match report Borussia Dortmund & 1.FC Union BerlinUnion Berlin hold blunt Dortmund attack in scoreless stalemate
Match report Schalke 04 & FSV Mainz 05Tietz strike proves decisive as Mainz edge past Schalke
Match report Hamburger SV & VfB StuttgartMuheim produces late magic again as Hamburg stun Stuttgart
Match report Werder Bremen & SC PaderbornFüllkrug's second-half brace rescues draw for Bremen against Paderborn
Preview Borussia Mönchengladbach & TSG HoffenheimBorussia Mönchengladbach vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Gladbach seek first points in basement battle
Preview Bayer Leverkusen & SC FreiburgBayer Leverkusen vs. SC Freiburg preview: Leverkusen aim to end league leaders' unbeaten run

Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 3
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 6
Fantasy Football FantasyBundesliga Fantasy Show – Matchday 6: Must-haves, differentials & listener questions
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 6 starting XIs
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 6
Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 2
Fantasy Football FantasyBundesliga Fantasy Show – Matchday 5: Must-haves, differentials & listener questions
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 5
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Unlimited transfers draft team
Fantasy Football Fantasy BundesligaFantasy Bundesliga: Fixture Difficulty Planner Matchday 5-9
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 5
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 5 starting XIs
Fantasy Football FantasyPredicted lineups for Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 4
Fantasy Football FantasyBundesliga Fantasy Show – Matchday 4: Must-haves, differentials & listener questions
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 4
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 4 starting XIs
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 3
Fantasy Football FantasyBundesliga Fantasy Show – Matchday 3: Must-haves, differentials & listener questions
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 3
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 3 starting XIs
Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 1
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 2
Fantasy Football FantasyBundesliga Fantasy Show – Matchday 2: Must-haves, differentials & listener questions
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 2

German Teams in Europe

Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2026/27 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 3
FC Bayern Bayern boss gives update on Neuer and Musiala ahead of Arsenal clash
Post-match reaction SC FreiburgJulian Schuster sees room for improvement despite Freiburg’s comfortable win in his 100th game
Post-match reaction TSG HoffenheimIlzer admits Hoffenheim have plenty of work to do after Beşiktaş defeat
Match report SC FreiburgUEFA Conference League: Evergreen Grifo helps in-form Freiburg to winning start
Match report TSG Hoffenheim Hoffenheim fall at home to Beşiktaş as alarm bells continue to ring
Match report Bayer Leverkusen Leverkusen stroll past Lech Poznań to make it two Europa League wins from two
SC FreiburgConfirmed Lineups: SC Freiburg vs. FK Jablonec
TSG Hoffenheim Confirmed Europa League lineups: Hoffenheim vs. Beşiktaş
Bayer LeverkusenConfirmed Europa League lineups: Lech Poznan vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern MunichBodø/Glimt star slams "unacceptable" Viking FK antics against Bayern
Borussia DortmundNils Petersen hammers Kovač's Dortmund for "chasing the game" in Norway
Rumor Bayern MunichGnabry pictured "visibly frustrated" after Bayern's stalemate with Viking FK
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundWaldemar Anton slams Dortmund's lack of intensity after Bodø/Glimt defeat
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartGrischa Prömel comments on difficult pitch conditions after Stuttgart's Champions League win
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundNiko Kovac slams lack of passion as Dortmund "deserved to lose" Champions League clash
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartSebastian Hoeneß praises Stuttgart after Bratislava victory despite difficult pitch conditions
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartDeniz Undav responds to criticism after ending goal drought
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartJosha Vagnoman reflects on spectacular effort and Stuttgart's Champions League victory
Match report VfB StuttgartUndav breaks duck to put Stuttgart on track for Bratislava rout
Match report Borussia DortmundKovač's wholesale changes backfire as Dortmund suffer defeat to Bodø/Glimt
VfB StuttgartConfirmed lineups: Slovan Bratislava vs. VfB Stuttgart
Borussia DortmundConfirmed lineups: Bodø/Glimt vs. Borussia Dortmund
Preview SC FreiburgSC Freiburg vs. FK Jablonec UEFA Conference League preview: Team news & predicted lineups
Preview TSG Hoffenheim TSG Hoffenheim vs. Besiktas Europa League preview: Team news & predicted lineups

DFB-Pokal

DFB-Pokal DFB-Pokal second round draw: Holders Bayern host Magdeburg, Dortmund clash with Bremen
Post-match reaction FC Bayern Kompany praises “calm” Bayern performance
Post-match reaction FC Bayern Bischof and Kane react to Pokal victory in Osnabrück
Match report FC Bayern DFB-Pokal: Bayern overcome early Osnabrück scare to reach second round
DFB-Pokal Confirmed DFB-Pokal lineups: VfL Osnabrück vs. FC Bayern
Rumor FC BayernBayern make decision on Musiala's availability for DFB-Pokal trip to Osnabrück
Preview Osnabrück & FC BayernVfL Osnabrück vs. Bayern Munich DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernUrbig to replace Neuer in goal against Osnabrück, Kompany confirms
FC BayernKompany gives Musiala update ahead of DFB-Pokal trip to Osnabrück
FC BayernReport gives fresh update on Jamal Musiala ahead of DFB-Pokal trip to Osnabrück
Match report DFB-PokalSchalke dominate but need extra time and superstar Džeko to overcome Halle
Match report DFB-PokalHSV's 16-year-old sensation steals the show in DFB-Pokal victory against Verl
Preview DFB-PokalConfirmed DFB-Pokal lineups: Hallescher FC vs. FC Schalke 04
Match report DFB-PokalKöln survive Würzburg scare as Jóhannesson seals comeback win
Preview DFB-PokalConfirmed DFB-Pokal Lineups: Altglienicke vs. VfL Wolfsburg
Preview HSV, DFB-PokalConfirmed DFB-Pokal Lineups: SC Verl vs. Hamburger SV
Preview Köln, DFB-PokalConfirmed DFB-Pokal Lineups: Würzburger Kickers vs. 1. FC Köln
Match report DFB-PokalDFB-Pokal: Bundesliga’s perfect record continues, Heidenheim and St. Pauli are out
Match report RB LeipzigDFB-Pokal: RB Leipzig advance after comfortable victory at Moselstadion
Match report DFB-PokalDFB-Pokal: Hertha and Nürnberg maintain perfect starts with penalty shootout wins
Match report DFB-PokalDFB-Pokal: Wimmer and Onyeka score debut braces as Hoffenheim and Elversberg advance
Match report DFB-PokalDFB-Pokal: Hannover seal record victory with 9-1 rout of Hemelingen at Weserstadion
Match report Werder BremenDFB-Pokal: Füllkrug and Reis score debut goals for Bremen in Hamburg
Preview DFB-PokalConfirmed Lineups: SG Sonnenhof Großaspach vs. Arminia Bielefeld
Preview DFB-PokalConfirmed Lineups: 1860 Munich vs. Holstein Kiel

German National Team

Rumor German National TeamHoffenheim's Baumann hasn't "closed the door" on Germany national team
Match report Germany WKlara Bühl completes Germany comeback in Bremen
Preview Germany WWomen's Friendly Preview: Germany vs. Japan
DFB, Werder BremenRudi Völler opens door to Germany return for in-form Füllkrug
German national team"The best players always play" – Kimmich breaks silence on Germany role debate
Match report Germany WGermany W hold off Australia to claim 4–2 friendly win
GermanyConfirmed Lineups: Germany W v Australia W
VfB StuttgartHoeneß reacts to Jeltsch missing out on Germany debut
German national teamLothar Matthäus doubts Musiala and Wirtz can play together for Germany
FC BayernKompany plays down “mini-debate” over Kimmich’s role for Germany
Preview Germany WWomen’s Friendly Preview: Germany vs. Australia
Borussia DortmundDortmund attacker keen to convince Jürgen Klopp after Germany snub
German national teamGermany fall one place in FIFA World Rankings after Klopp’s first games
German national teamGermany star Kevin Schade handed major market value boost after flying start
German national teamFlorian Wirtz suffers biggest market value drop in Premier League
Match report Germany U21Pejčinović’s brace seals U21 Euros ticket for Germany in front of record crowd
Germany U21Confirmed Lineups: Germany U21 vs. Georgia U21
FC Bayern & GermanyBischof keen to represent Germany at U21 Euros despite senior national team breakthrough
Preview Germany U21Germany U21 vs. Georgia U21 preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction German national team"We hadn’t planned for him to play three games" – Klopp praises Treu's instant impact for Germany
German national team“We don’t have a Messi, an Mbappé or a Haaland, but..." – Matthäus gives his verdict on Klopp's Germany
Post-match reaction German National TeamKlopp pledges to reduce squad for November after "top-notch" effort in Greece
Post-match reaction German National TeamWirtz on "annoying" draw in Greece, Scherhant processing second cap
Post-match reaction German National TeamGermany player ratings vs. Greece: Scherhant shines in scoreless stalemate
Match report German National TeamGermany held scoreless by Greece in hotly-contested stalemate

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary German national teamGermany player ratings vs Serbia: Wirtz shines in Klopp's first win
Analysis/Commentary VfB StuttgartReal Madrid, Arsenal or Bayern? German scouting expert assesses best fit and next move for Stuttgart's Finn Jeltsch
Analysis/Commentary GermanyGermany player ratings vs Greece: Klopp suffers first defeat as Germany head coach
Analysis/Commentary German national team Germany suffer historic 0-1 defeat to Greece in Klopp's first home game
Analysis/Commentary German national teamGermany player ratings vs Netherlands: Nmecha leads the way as late Gakpo goal denies Klopp victory
Editor's pick RB LeipzigRB Leipzig seek first academy breakthrough as Wagner and Schäfer outline pathway challenges
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaOlise runs riot, Dortmund go clear and Weiser completes dream return - 5 things we learned from Bundesliga Matchday 4
Editor's pick Elversberg & DortmundINTERVIEW: "I needed to play a bigger role" – Cole Campbell on leaving Dortmund for Elversberg
Editor's pick RB Leipzig"If Real Madrid are coming, it’s difficult" – Marcel Schäfer explains why RB Leipzig had to sell Yan Diomande
Editor's pick RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: "I need to enjoy football again" – Christopher Nkunku on returning to RB Leipzig and his struggles at Chelsea and AC Milan
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaDortmund keep on ticking, Freiburg hit five and Polanski departs - 5 things we learned from Bundesliga matchday 3
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBayern halted, Elversberg defy belief and Augsburg make history - 5 things we learned from Bundesliga Matchday 2
Editor's pick SV Elversberg"We don't fear anybody" – How underdogs Elversberg plan to survive the Bundesliga on their own terms
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga 2026/27 guide: In-depth team previews ahead of the new season
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachWhat Leeds United fans can expect from Nico Elvedi after Gladbach move
Editor's pick RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: “I know I will get my game time” – Ørjan Nyland confident he will get his chances after Leipzig return
Editor's pick Borussia Dortmund & 1.FC KölnOpinion: How the pursuit of Said El Mala could alter Borussia Dortmund's future
Analysis/Commentary Frauen-BundesligaBreaking away: Why the Frauen-Bundesliga is taking control of its own future
Analysis/Commentary FC BayernHow Bayern Munich could line up for the 2026/27 season
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaTop 10 Bundesliga transfers of the summer so far
Editor's pick SC FreiburgWhat Newcastle fans can expect from Johan Manzambi as transfer from Freiburg nears completion
Editor's pick FC AugsburgEXCLUSIVE: "Character is more important for us than talent" – Benjamin Weber explains Augsburg's scouting philosophy
Editor's pick TSG HoffenheimWhat Newcastle fans can expect from Bazoumana Touré as €50m move from Hoffenheim nears completion
Analysis/Commentary German national teamGermany player ratings vs Paraguay: Several disappointing displays in heartbreaking exit
Analysis/Commentary German national teamGermany player ratings vs Ecuador: Lacklustre display as winning run ends

Exclusive interviews

Editor's pick RB LeipzigRB Leipzig seek first academy breakthrough as Wagner and Schäfer outline pathway challenges
Editor's pick Elversberg & DortmundINTERVIEW: "I needed to play a bigger role" – Cole Campbell on leaving Dortmund for Elversberg
Editor's pick RB Leipzig"If Real Madrid are coming, it’s difficult" – Marcel Schäfer explains why RB Leipzig had to sell Yan Diomande
Exclusive interview SV Elversberg"That's set in stone" – Elversberg prodigy Cole Campbell reaffirms desire to represent USA over Iceland
Editor's pick RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: "I need to enjoy football again" – Christopher Nkunku on returning to RB Leipzig and his struggles at Chelsea and AC Milan
Exclusive interview RB Leipzig"I’m not worried about us" – Maxime Estève believes Leipzig will be "really, really good"
Exclusive interview RB Leipzig"Maybe I didn’t get the output I deserved last season" – Antonio Nusa eager to build on strong start
Exclusive interview RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: Maarten Vandevoordt on succeeding club legend Gulácsi at RB Leipzig, Courtois comparisons and Belgium ambitions
Exclusive interview FC BayernEXCLUSIVE: Bayern legend Roy Makaay backs Kane as Ballon d'Or contender
Editor's pick SV Elversberg"We don't fear anybody" – How underdogs Elversberg plan to survive the Bundesliga on their own terms
Editor's pick RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: “I know I will get my game time” – Ørjan Nyland confident he will get his chances after Leipzig return
Editor's pick FC AugsburgEXCLUSIVE: "Character is more important for us than talent" – Benjamin Weber explains Augsburg's scouting philosophy
Exclusive interview FC AugsburgEXCLUSIVE: Augsburg boss Benjamin Weber confirms “big market” interest in Kömür and Claude-Maurice amid exit talk
Exclusive interview World CupEXCLUSIVE: "He's the perfect coach for England" – Augsburg chief Benjamin Weber backs former boss Tuchel for World Cup glory
Editor's pick FC Schalke 04"I’m thinking about my future every day" – 40-year-old Edin Džeko weighs up next move after Schalke fairy tale
Exclusive interview VfL Wolfsburg“A very difficult and sad situation” – Edin Džeko on his ex-club VfL Wolfsburg’s relegation threat
Exclusive interview RB LeipzigYan Diomande names Real Madrid stars among inspirations as he sets sights on becoming one of the world's best
Editor's pick RB LeipzigINTERVIEW: RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande “happy and motivated” by interest from Europe’s elite
Editor's pick Borussia Mönchengladbach"I obviously came here to play more" – Giovanni Reyna reflects on Gladbach struggles and burning World Cup ambition
Exclusive interview Borussia MönchengladbachINTERVIEW: "I'd love to experience something different at some point" – Joe Scally opens door to Gladbach exit
Exclusive interview FC BayernLahm highlights defensive “danger” for Bayern ahead of PSG showdown
Editor's pick BundesligaPhilipp Lahm "curious" about new German U21 league – but insists senior-level minutes remain key for young players
Editor's pick RB Leipzig“We have to get even better” – CEO Tatjana Haenni on RB Leipzig’s goal to be "best in class" for talent
Editor's pick RB Leipzig"That's our goal" – RB Leipzig must be ready to pounce on Bundesliga title if Bayern falter, says CEO Tatjana Haenni
Exclusive interview FC Bayern & GermanyPhilipp Lahm: Gnabry injury a "bitter" blow for Bayern and Germany

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