The Champions League is back!
Boasting four of the strongest squads in the competition, the English clubs will fancy their chances of going all the way to the final in St Petersburg in May.
Before anyone can dream about the final, however, they must all come through the group stage, with matchday 1 boasting some tasty fixtures.
Tuesday
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich (Group E)
Barcelona and Bayern Munich renew their rivalry at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
The Catalan giants, playing a European campaign without Lionel Messi for the first time since 2003, have started the season well, picking up 7 points from their first three games.
Bayern, meanwhile, sit second in the Bundesliga under new boss Julien Nagelsmann after collecting 10 points from their opening four games, including a 4-1 hammering of last year’s runners-up RB Leipzig at the weekend.
It might not be a repeat of the last time these two met, in which Bayern won 8-2, but it won’t be far off.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-4
Young Boys vs Manchester United (Group F)
Manchester United begin their Champions League campaign away to Swiss side Young Boys.
After scoring two goals on his second debut against Newcastle at the weekend, it will be interesting to see whether Cristiano Ronaldo starts or whether he is rested for the weekend.
If he does feature, it will be his first game for United in the Champions League since the 2009 final defeat to Barcelona.
Whether or not he plays, though, it should be a comfortable night for Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s men.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-3
Villareal vs Atalanta (Group F)
The Europa League champions meet the third-place team from last year’s Serie A in what should be an exciting game.
The other two sides in Manchester United’s group, Atalanta will try and play attacking football, while Villareal will probably look to soak up the pressure and hit the Italian side on the counter.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg (Group H)
Chelsea begin the defence of their European title at home to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.
With the quality the Blues possess, they will be among the favourites to retain their crown.
Expect a third consecutive 3-0 home win, then, against an inferior Zenit side.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-0
Malmo vs Juventus (Group H)
What has happened to Juventus?
Despite the return of Massimo Allegri, their struggles from last season have continued, picking up just one point from their opening three games.
Even with the Italian giants losing a player of Cristiano Ronaldo’s calibre, they still have an abundance of quality in their ranks.
Perhaps that quality will shine through in the Champions League and get their season up and running.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2
Wednesday
Club Bruges vs PSG (Group A)
This has to be PSG’s year.
With a front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, they are certainly among the favourites.
The French club have also started this season in brilliant form, beginning with 5 wins from 5 to sit top of Ligue 1.
That form should continue against Bruges in Belgium.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
Manchester City vs RB Leipzig (Group A)
Runners-up last year, Manchester City will be looking to go one better this season as they begin their campaign at home to RB Leipzig.
Without a striker, however, they may fall short, although Jack Grealish will shine in his first season on the biggest stage of them all.
City should also have more than enough to see off Leipzig, the German club having won just one of their opening four games in the Bundesliga.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1
Atletico Madrid vs FC Porto (Group B)
Atletico Madrid could be dark horses this year.
The La Liga champions, they have a forward line to compete with any of the top European clubs, especially after re-signing Antoine Griezmann.
They will have to navigate a difficult group, but they will be confident of beating last season’s quarter-finalists on Matchday 1.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
Liverpool vs AC Milan (Group B)
Anfield is going to be bouncing for its first Champions League game at full capacity since March 2020.
A repeat of the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals, AC Milan aren’t quite the team they used to be.
Back in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since the 2013-14 season, however, they are slowly getting there, also evidenced by their perfect start in Serie A.
Still, Liverpool should have more than enough to see off the seven-time winners.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1
Besiktas vs Borussia Dortmund (Group C)
Like Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund could be a good bet as dark horses for the competition.
Boasting the talent of Erling Haaland, the youngest and fastest player to reach 20 Champions League goals, they will have a chance against any team they play.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Inter Milan vs Real Madrid (Group D)
These two European giants are meeting in the Champions League group stages for the second consecutive year.
Both have started this season well, Inter taking 7 points from their first three games and Madrid 10 from four as they set the early pace at the top of La Liga.
Having sold key players and lost manager Antonio Conte in the summer, however, it will be a tough ask for the Italian club against the 13-time winners.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
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Featured image by Rafael Henrique Serra – Own work, CC BY 3.0; no changes made.
