The Matchday 3 clash in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage between Union (Belgium) and Inter (Italy) will take place on October 21 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. Union vs. Inter: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Union
The Belgians are competing in the main draw of the Champions League for the first time, and their start was promising with an away victory over PSV (3-1). However, Union couldn't build on that success and suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat at home to Newcastle in the second round. This loss marked their fourth defeat in the last five Champions League matches, including qualifiers, with the team conceding at least three goals in three of those games. In the standings, Union sits in 20th place with three points.
- The team has failed to win 7 of their last 9 home matches in European competitions (3 draws, 4 losses).
- Exactly 2 or 3 goals have been scored in 9 of the club's last 13 home games in European competitions.
- The Belgians have scored more than one goal in just 2 of their last 8 home matches in European club tournaments.
Predicted lineup for Union (3-4-3)
Kjell Scherpen – Fedde Leysen, Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess – Anan Khalayli, Adem Zorgane, Kamil van de Perre, Ousseynou Niang – Anouar Ait El Hadj, Raul Floruc, David Promis.
Notably, before this round, the club appointed a new head coach – David Hubert replaced Sebastien Pocognoli in this role.
Inter
Christian Chivu's side confidently defeated Prague's Slavia 3-0 at home in the last round. As a result, Inter started this Champions League campaign with two clean-sheet victories and achieved ten shutouts in regular time over the last two editions of this European competition. Additionally, the team has scored at least two goals in 9 of their last 10 Champions League matches. The Milanese have six points and are in fourth place in the standings.
- The club has not lost in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League (5 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has scored at least two goals in their last four away games in this European competition.
- The Milanese have conceded no more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni – Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco – Lautaro Martinez, Ange-Yoan Bonny.
Defender Matteo Darmian and forward Marcus Thuram will not play due to injuries.
Referee
Glenn Nyberg (Switzerland)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 53;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 20%.
Union vs. Inter: Match Prediction
The Belgians will surely be highly motivated after their disappointing home match against Newcastle in the last round. I believe Union is capable of putting up a strong resistance against the Milanese, especially considering their generally successful performances at home in European competitions. In their last 13 home matches in European competitions, the team has suffered only four defeats (5 wins, 4 draws), with one of the losses being by a minimal margin.
Inter's away results have been somewhat inconsistent, with victories often coming in hard-fought battles. In their last 13 away encounters in the Champions League, the Italians have won six matches (4 draws, 3 losses), but only in two of those did they achieve a margin greater than one goal. Additionally, in eight of those matches, the Milanese scored no more than one goal.
I expect a strong performance from the hosts, and my prediction: Union with a handicap (+1)
