Champions League Matchday Forecast: Matchday 1 of the 2025/26 Season

Real Madrid vs. Olympique Marseille

Madrid kick off with Mbappé and Arda Güler in top form, adding to their homegrown power with Alexander-Arnold. With an ongoing winning streak in LaLiga and few injury concerns, the 15-time Champions League winners step onto the pitch with confidence, while Marseille must integrate numerous new signings such as Pavard, Højbjerg, and Greenwood. Aubameyang remains the key figure.

Tip: Real Madrid win + over 3.5 goals

Arsenal vs. Bilbao

Bilbao will have to make do without Nico Williams for now – the strong left winger is sidelined with a muscle injury until the end of September. On the positive side, Laporte returns to strengthen Bilbao’s defense. Arsenal, meanwhile, start with stars Zubimendi and Merino.
Tip: Arsenal win + under 3.5 goals

Juventus Turin vs. Borussia Dortmund

Juve have strengthened with Openda, on loan from RB Leipzig until summer 2026. Two consecutive competitive wins give cause for optimism. The team already faced Dortmund in August, winning 2–1 in a friendly. For the Black and Yellows, the Bundesliga start has been mixed despite an away win at Heidenheim. No major absences to report.
Tip: Predicted result: 2–2

Benfica Lisbon vs. Qarabağ Agdam

Benfica step onto the pitch full of confidence, having won six of their last eight matches. However, the 4–1 defeat to Chelsea last June still lingers. Their opponents from Azerbaijan arrive after a grueling qualification campaign and traditionally rely on compact defending and set pieces. They are unlikely to keep up with Benfica’s quality.
Tip: Benfica win + over 3.5 goals

PSV Eindhoven vs. Union Saint-Gilloise

PSV enter the Champions League with momentum – key players Joey Veerman and Ismael Saibari remained in the squad despite international interest. However, the long-term absence of technically gifted Frenchman Alassane Pléa weighs heavily. Union SG celebrate their Champions League debut, having recorded five wins in their last six matches. Still, it is likely to be a tough challenge against Eindhoven.

Tip: Draw

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal

After their historic Europa League triumph after 41 years, Tottenham under coach Thomas Frank present themselves as stable and confident. Summer signings Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus also contribute to this. Villarreal started off solidly but recently suffered a heavy setback against Atlético. Tottenham could push the Spanish side’s defense to its limits.

Tip: Both teams to score

Olympiakos Piräus vs. Pafos FC

Olympiacos are likely to step onto the pitch with plenty of confidence – their recent 5–0 victory underlines the Greeks’ home strength. However, the record champions are dealing with personnel issues and injuries, including striker Yaremchuk. Champions League debutants Pafos rely on a disciplined defense. The Cypriots’ compact style promises tension, although Olympiacos remain the favorites.

Tip: Olympiacos win + under 3.5 goals

Slavia Prag vs. FK Bodø/Glimt

Slavia Prague have gone 15 matches unbeaten, recently winning four of their last five. Goalkeeper Ondrej Kolář is fit and provides stability between the posts. Bodø/Glimt, however, bring plenty of attacking power against the Prague side, as their 7–1 win over Kristiansund clearly shows. All in all, much points to a fast, entertaining duel in which both teams have good chances to score.

Tip: Both teams to score

Bayern München vs. Chelsea

Bayern enter the clash as German champions and rely on new signing Nicolas Jackson, who recently arrived from Chelsea and brings valuable insider knowledge. The Londoners travel as Club World Cup winners and have shown a solid performance so far. Everything points to a tactically shaped, exciting game – with Bayern holding a slight edge as favorites.

Tip: Total goals: 4

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atalanta Bergamo

PSG begin their title defense full of confidence and attacking power, as shown by their recent 6–3 win over Toulouse. Their 5–0 victory over Milan in the final – the biggest win in Champions League final history – also adds to their self-belief. Atalanta are currently in mixed form, with only one win from their last six matches. Home advantage and individual quality clearly speak in PSG’s favor.

Tip: PSG win + under 3.5 goals

FC Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid

Liverpool are in strong form in the Premier League, versatile and dangerous in attack. Much hope rests on the signing of Alexander Isak for a hefty €144 million. Atlético, however, have already broken Liverpool hearts in the past. A tight, tactically shaped game is to be expected. Liverpool have the advantage of playing at home and currently more attacking power.

Tip: Liverpool win

Ajax Amsterdam vs. Inter Mailand

An exciting match awaits in Amsterdam. Ajax have recently impressed in the Eredivisie, while Milan managed to win only five of their last ten games. Kasper Dolberg returns to his boyhood club in the Dutch capital to fill the gap left by Brian Brobbey’s departure. Inter, on the other hand, have brought in Manuel Akanji on loan from Man City. The duel promises plenty of pace.

Tip: Draw

Club Brügge vs. AS Monaco

Bruges recently suffered an unlucky defeat in La Louvière but benefit from strong home form and promising new signings such as German U-national player Nicolo Tresoldi. Monaco, however, remain dangerous with attacking stars like Ansu Fati. The French side recently won away at Auxerre. An intense duel is likely.

Tip: Both teams to score: No

FC Kopenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Copenhagen are currently defending compactly and relying on quick counterattacks. Their successful run has also been fueled by young signing Youssoufa Moukoko, who joined from Dortmund. Leverkusen arrive with a full squad and promising additions such as 34-year-old defender Lucas Vázquez, who celebrated a solid Bundesliga debut and enters the Champions League with confidence. The head-to-head record favors Leverkusen.

Tip: Leverkusen win

Manchester City vs. SSC Neapel

City are considered top favorites, thanks in part to their deep squad and brilliant attacking players such as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. A fresh 3–0 derby win against United adds to their confidence. The reigning Italian champions, however, are no weak opponents and are enjoying a strong start to the season, with young Danish signing Højlund scoring right away.
Tip: Predicted result: 3–2

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray

Frankfurt’s return to the Champions League is electrifying, and goalkeeper Santos celebrates his comeback after a long injury break. However, the team will have to do without experienced full-back Rasmus Kristensen for now due to injury. Galatasaray have invested heavily, recorded five straight wins, and look offensively dangerous with Gündogan and Leroy Sané.
Tip: Both teams to score

Sporting Lissabon vs. Qairat Almaty

On September 18, the Kazakh side face a long trip to Portugal. The Portuguese champions under Rui Borges have shown mixed form recently but have just signed Greek striker Fotis Ioannidis. Qairat travel with a fit squad and enter the Champions League full of confidence after their upset against Celtic Glasgow.
Tip: Sporting win + over 4.5 goals

Newcastle United vs. FC Barcelona

Barcelona’s strong run has been crowned with a recent 6–0 win over Valencia. Lewandowski continues to score reliably, but goalkeeper ter Stegen is sidelined after back surgery. Newcastle, on the other hand, have just one win from five matches and are struggling in the Premier League. Barça remain the favorites, while Newcastle will be hoping for some St. James’ Park magic.

Tip: Barcelona win + over 3.5 goals