Match Overview

The third-round group stage match of the 2025/26 Champions League between Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) and Inter Milan (Italy) will take place on October 21 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. Here’s our preview for Union vs Inter, including predictions, odds, and statistics.

Union Saint-Gilloise Analysis

The Belgian side is making their debut in the Champions League group stage this season, and their campaign started promisingly with an away victory over PSV (3:1). However, Union couldn’t build on that success, suffering a heavy 0:4 defeat at home to Newcastle in the second round. This loss marks their fourth in the last five Champions League matches, including qualifiers, and in three of these games, Union conceded at least three goals. With three points, the Belgian team currently occupies 20th place in the standings.

• 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 were scored in 9 of the club’s last 13 home European fixtures.
• The Belgians have scored more than one goal in only 2 of their last 8 home games in European club tournaments.

Union Saint-Gilloise Probable Lineup (3-4-3)

Kjell Scherpen – Fedde Leysen, Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess – Anan Khalaili, Adem Zorgane, Camille Van den Perre, Ousseynou Niang – Anouar Ait El Hadj, Raul Florucz, David Puertas.

Team Changes: Coaching Update

It’s worth noting that ahead of this round, the club appointed a new head coach: David Hubert replaced Sébastien Pocognoli.

Inter Milan Analysis

Christian Chivu’s squad comfortably defeated Slavia Prague 3:0 at home in the previous round. As a result, Inter has kicked off their current Champions League campaign with two clean sheet victories and has now registered ten shutouts in regular time across the last two editions of this European competition. Furthermore, the team has scored at least two goals within 90 minutes in 9 of their last 10 Champions League encounters. The Milanese club boasts six points and currently holds fourth place in the group standings.

• The club has remained unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 away Champions League matches (5 wins, 2 draws).
• The team has scored at least two goals in their last four away fixtures in this European competition.
• The Milanese side has conceded no more than one goal in 7 of their last 8 away Champions League matches.

Inter Milan Probable Lineup (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.

Team News: Player Absences

Defender Matteo Darmian and forward Marcus Thuram will be unavailable due to injuries.

The Referee

Glenn Nyberg (Switzerland)

Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25-2025/26);

Yellow cards (including second yellow) – 53;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;

Red cards – 1;

Average fouls per match – 23;

Penalties – 20%.

Match Prediction: Union vs Inter

The Belgian team will undoubtedly be highly motivated after their disappointing home performance against Newcastle in the last round. In my opinion, Union is capable of putting up a strong fight against Inter, especially given their generally successful track record in home European fixtures. In their last 13 matches played at home in European competitions, the team has suffered only four defeats (5 wins, 4 draws), with one of those losses being by a minimal margin.

Inter’s away form has been somewhat inconsistent, with victories often secured through tough battles. In their last 13 away Champions League encounters, the Italians have won six matches (4 draws, 3 losses), but only in two of these did their advantage exceed a single goal. It’s also worth noting that in eight of these matches, the Milanese side managed to score a maximum of one goal.

I anticipate a strong performance from the home side, and my prediction is: Union Saint-Gilloise with a (+1) Handicap at odds of 1.62. 1.62