We run through every game on MD1 of the Champions League and predict the winner.
TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
AEK Athens vs LASK (17:45)
AEK Athens Win
AEK Athens' brutal 4-0 dismantling of Levski Sofia in the play-off and a defence that's conceded just once in six games make them the pick, but LASK arrive with serious firepower - 21 goals in their last six matches after stunning Celtic 5-1 to complete a wild 5-4 aggregate comeback. Expect goals at both ends: AEK's home platform edges it, though BTTS looks the sharper angle given LASK's attacking momentum in Prague.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa (17:45)
Draw
Villa arrive mid a goal drought - they registered no shots on target across their first two league games, a first for a Premier League side in over 20 years - while Brugge are unbeaten in eight home games and have scored in 25 straight. But Emery's men have won 8 of 12 Champions League matches under him and thrashed Brugge 6-1 on aggregate last time these sides met. A tight, low-key draw looks the shrewd square-the-book bet: 1-1.
FC Porto vs Manchester City (20:00)
Man City Win
Porto go into this on a seven-match winning run, shipping just one goal in six games, daunting home form for City to break down. But this is Erling Haaland's stage: 34 Champions League goals in 39 Man City appearances, two shy of Sergio Agüero's club record, and Porto are winless in four previous meetings with City. Porto also have somewhat of a make-shift back line with multiple injuries and Bednarek injured. Expect a tight opening act before City's class tells. 1-2, with Haaland to score.
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal (20:00)
Dortmund Win
Villarreal have lost their last five away Champions League games without scoring and posted the competition's worst shot-conversion rate (4.6%) last season, alarming reading against a Dortmund side unbeaten in 23 of their last 23 home European nights. Serhou Guirassy has been directly involved in 24 goals in 24 Champions League appearances across two campaigns, behind only Kane and Raphinha. Dortmund to win 2-0, under 3.5 goals the value.
Lille vs Real Betis (20:00)
Draw
Lille have quietly built a habit of beating Spanish sides in Europe, three straight Champions League wins over LaLiga opposition, including victories over Real Madrid and Atlético last season. Betis, back after a 21-year absence, have scored in 14 consecutive matches, with Antony in red-hot European form after six Europa League goals last term. Olivier Giroud, still lethal with 24 Champions League goals, could be decisive. These two sides are hard to seperate so earl yin the season. BTTS looks the angle in a tight 1-1.
Real Madrid vs Inter (20:00)
Real Madrid Win
The Mourinho subplot adds spice, but the numbers point one way, Real Madrid have won four straight Champions League meetings with Inter, scoring eight and conceding just two. Kylian Mbappé sits on 70 Champions League goals, one shy of Raúl's all-time record. Inter arrive unbeaten in 15 but stumbled badly in the closing stages of last season's competition. Backing Madrid narrowly, with goals - 2-1 looks close to the mark.
WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
Barcelona vs Feyenoord (17:45)
Barcelona Win
No Dutch club has ever won away at Barcelona in European competition, and under Hansi Flick the hosts have averaged nearly three goals a game in the Champions League. Feyenoord arrive unbeaten in 14 and scoring freely, and Barça's one soft spot, 15 straight UCL games without a clean sheet, 30 goals shipped in that run, could make this interesting. Barcelona have only conceded twice this season however and have scored 17 goals in four games, putting five past their opponent in three of their four games. Barcelona to win comfortably, but BTTS and over 3.5 both carry real appeal.
VfB Stuttgart vs Viking (17:45)
VfB Stuttgart Win
Viking haven't graced the Champions League proper since 1983/84 and have lost 10 of their 12 previous appearances at this level, but they arrive unbeaten in five and full of confidence after eliminating Dinamo Zagreb. Stuttgart's Deniz Undav was directly involved in 39 goals last season and should have too much craft for a side adjusting to the step up. Stuttgart have twice scored 4 goals already this season and bar a defeat to Bayern they look too solid for Viking. Expect Stuttgart control without total dominance - 2-0 or 2-1 the likely script.
Sporting CP vs Galatasaray (20:00)
Sporting CP Win
Sporting reached the quarter-finals last season and have won five of their last eight Champions League matches at the Alvalade, home comfort that should count heavily. Galatasaray, missing Victor Osimhen after his seven Champions League goals last term, have won just two of their last 26 away matches in the competition. Sané and Batrakov offer quality but travel remains their weakness. Sporting to win.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (20:00)
Liverpool Win
Liverpool have never lost an opening Champions League home match, winning 10 of 12, and their last three have all finished 3-2. This is also their first European campaign without Mohamed Salah since 2014/15. Marcos Llorente has scored four goals in just two Anfield appearances for Atlético, a stat that should worry Iraola. Simeone has never beaten him in four meetings. Neither side has flown out the gates this season but Liverpool arrive with more momentum after a 2-0 win on the weekend while Atleti suffered 3-0 at the hands of Athletic Club. Liverpool's Anfield pedigree edges this - 2-1, BTTS looks solid value.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava (20:00)
PSG Win
Defending champions PSG have lost just one of their last eight home Champions League matches, and Slovan's previous league-phase campaign ended in eight straight defeats and a horror 7-27 aggregate scoreline. Vitinha completed more passes (1,589) than anyone in a single Champions League season since records began, underlining PSG's control. PSG have started the season slow with two draws and a loss but anything but a routine home win would be a shock - PSG to win big.
Napoli vs Arsenal (20:00)
Arsenal Win
Arsenal reached last season's final unbeaten in normal time, conceding a competition-low seven goals across 15 matches, the platform for another deep run. But Napoli have lost only twice in their last 21 Champions League home games and hold a strong record against English visitors in Naples. Gabriel Magalhães has won 82 of 121 Champions League duels since 2024/25, the best rate at this level. Arsenal migth arrive with tired legs after a tough game against Chelsea but they have the depth to rotate. Two losses in their last two isn't ideal preperation for Napoli. Tight, low-scoring affair - edge to Arsenal, 1-2.
THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
Fenerbahce vs Roma (17:45)
Draw
Roma arrive in Istanbul on a six-match winning run, scoring 17 and shipping just three, with Gasperini's side unbeaten in ten. But Italian clubs haven't won in Turkey in five straight Champions League visits, and Fenerbahçe have scored in 13 consecutive matches themselves. Playing at home gives them a huge advantage and having defeated Lyon in qualifiers they have proven they have what it takes to compete. Paulo Dybala's return to the competition after three years away adds theatre, 12 goal involvements across his last 16 CL starts. Expect chances at both ends: BTTS and a draw both appeal.
PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk (17:45)
PSV to Win
PSV have lost their opening Champions League match in five straight campaigns, a trend they'll want to break against a Shakhtar side low on recent European travel success, just two wins in their last 15 away days in the competition. Ricardo Pepi has a goal contribution every 49 minutes in Europe for PSV, arguably the sharpest ratio on the pitch. Expect an open, entertaining contest - PSV to nick it, both teams to find the net.
Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt (20:00)
Bayern Munich Win
Bayern have won the opening match of 23 straight major European campaigns and are unbeaten in 38 consecutive home Champions League games - numbers that make them close to unbackable at the Allianz. Harry Kane has scored in seven straight Champions League appearances and has 33 goals for the club in the competition. Bodø/Glimt reached last season's last 16 with Jens Petter Hauge a real threat, but this looks a home banker - Bayern big, over 3.5 goals.
Como vs RB Leipzig (20:00)
Como Win
Como make their Champions League bow riding an eight-match unbeaten run, plus Cesc Fàbregas's own managerial European debut. Leipzig, back after missing out entirely last season, have conceded in 18 consecutive Champions League matches, and their fixtures at this level average a startling 3.4 goals per game, the highest of any side with 50+ appearances. Como have picked up where they left off last season with two wins and a draw, including a 2-1 win over Napoli away from home. RB Leipzig have scored 12 in just three games and sit 8th in the Bundesliga. I think Como edge this but expect goals from both ends on Como's landmark night - over 2.5 and BTTS both look strong plays.
Slavia Prague vs Lens (20:00)
Draw
Slavia make a habit of testing visitors at a raucous Fortuna Arena, and as Czech champions they'll fancy setting an early marker in their league-phase campaign. Lens arrive as one of France's more disciplined, well-organised outfits, capable of frustrating flashier opposition on the road. They finished second in Ligue 1 last season but summer departures and the loss of their manager seems to have unsettled them. Two losses in three so far spells trouble. Neither side is the type to open up recklessly at this stage of the competition. Expect a cagey opener rather than a shootout - a narrow home edge, with goals hard to come by.
Manchester United vs Sabah FK (20:00)
Man United Win
United return to Europe's top table against history-makers Sabah FK, the second Azerbaijani club ever to reach the league phase after a stunning 5-2 extra-time comeback in qualifying. English sides remain unbeaten in 11 previous meetings with Azerbaijani opposition, winning 10, but United are winless in their last four opening European fixtures and have managed just one win in nine Champions League games. Bruno Fernandes is the creative fulcrum. United were on the brink of a second win this season before a Maitland-Niles wonder goal stopped them on the weekend. Nonetheless they should be too good here. Home win, but under 3.5 covers the stutter.
