The wait is over as the UEFA Champions League returns for another campaign, with the continent's leading clubs beginning their latest quest for European glory.

The 2026/27 edition gets underway on Tuesday, September 8, under the expanded 36-team league-phase format, which has seen PSG crowned in the first two editions, with every side facing eight different opponents before the knockout rounds. 

The opening round immediately offers several heavyweight contests. Real Madrid welcome Inter Milan to the Santiago Bernabéu, Manchester City travel to Porto, while Borussia Dortmund host Villarreal.

In the days that follow, equally attractive meetings will come up, including Liverpool against Atlético Madrid and Napoli's home clash with last season's beaten finalists and Premier League champions, Arsenal. 

Thursday completes the first round with Bayern Munich hosting Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, PSV facing Shakhtar Donetsk, Como welcoming RB Leipzig and other intriguing ties. It will also see the return of Manchester United and Roma in the competition. 

With teams still settling into the new season, recent domestic form, squad availability and European experience could prove decisive as clubs attempt to make an immediate statement. We preview and predict 10 games to watch this week.

10 Matchday One Fixtures to Watch and Predictions

Real Madrid vs Inter

Real Madrid begin another European campaign at home against Inter in one of the round's biggest fixtures. José Mourinho's Madrid have enormous Champions League pedigree, but their preparations have suffered a setback after a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis, their first loss of the season.

Kylian Mbappé missed a late penalty in that game. At the same time, Madrid also have doubts over Aurélien Tchouaméni and other midfield options, and the trio of Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Bernardo Silva are suspended.

Inter arrive as Serie A champions and possess considerable experience in European competition, against the coach who won their last title in the competition just over 16 years ago. The Nerazzurri are fresh from a 3-2 comeback win over Napoli to keep their perfect start going.

Real Madrid nevertheless have the stronger historical record, winning seven of the previous 13 Champions League meetings to Inter's five, with one draw, and playing at home, the odds remain in their favour, but victory is not guaranteed.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 Inter.

Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal

Borussia Dortmund have started the domestic season positively and head into this fixture after wins over Hoffenheim and Hamburger SV, although a 2-2 draw with Roma and a defeat by Bayern show there are still defensive questions to answer.

Villarreal on the other hand have been less convincing, drawing with Atlético Madrid and Racing Santander while suffering defeats against Alavés and Deportivo La Coruña in the opening weeks of the LaLiga season, a run that has seen them drop 17th on the standings.

It's a difficult test for the Spanish team as Dortmund also have the psychological advantage of beating them 4-0 in their previous Champions League meeting last season, with Serhou Guirassy scoring twice and missing a penalty.

Injuries to Emre Can, Nico Schlottobeck, Giannis Konstantelias and Ramy Bensebaini are significant absences for the German side, but home advantage should count in their favour.

Prediction: Dortmund 3-1 Villarreal.

FC Porto vs Manchester City

Porto have made a near-perfect domestic start, winning their first five league matches while conceding just once, and they will hope that defensive solidity survives against City's attack led by the unstoppable Erling Haaland.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have shown signs of improvement under Enzo Maresca, beating Coventry City, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in the Premier League, although a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal underlined some lingering weaknesses.

The Premier League side are the overwhelming favourite due to their UEFA placement and pedigree in the competition, but FC Porto will take courage from their positive run and home advantage.

The Dragao has proven to be a tricky ground for visiting teams in the Champions League, with City themselves winning one and drawing the other in two meetings, while Porto are also unbeaten in their last seven European home games.

Jeremy Doku is unavailable with a calf problem for the visitors, while Porto will have to do without Samu Aghehowa, who is facing a lengthy absence, as well as other players.  

Prediction: Porto 1-3 Manchester City.

LOSC Lille vs Real Betis

Lille head into the game in encouraging form, unbeaten in their last five matches across competitions, including victories over Toulouse and Angers and draws against Paris Saint-Germain, which places them joint second in Ligue 1. 

Real Betis also arrive with confidence after ending Real Madrid's perfect start with a 1-0 victory on Friday evening, although a 5-2 defeat against Levante showed their defensive vulnerability, especially with Madrid also having quality chances to put them to sleep.

This is the first competitive meeting between the clubs, meaning there is no previous head-to-head advantage to consider. Lille's home record and recent consistency make them slight favourites, but Betis' ability to beat top opposition means this could be closer than expected.

Prediction: Lille 2-1 Real Betis.

Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid

Liverpool's meeting with Atlético Madrid promises another physical European battle, with the Reds having won three of the sides' last five encounters, including a 3-2 scoreline in their most recent meeting, continuing a rivalry that has produced several dramatic matches.

Atlético, however, are considered the more stable side in terms of recent underlying form and have been scoring regularly away from home, although that wasn't the case in their last game and their last trip to England to face Arsenal in May.

New manager Andoni Iraola secured his first Liverpool win on Friday away to Ipswich Town and will hope to build on that in his first Champions League game as manager by taking advantage of Atleti's inconsistency.

Liverpool will be at full strength even in the absence of Joe Gomez and Hugo Ekitike, while the visitors will be missing Alexander Sortloth and Arnau Ortiz, who will serve the suspension earned over two years ago while at Polish side Śląsk Wrocław.

Anfield should provide Liverpool with the necessary lift, but Atlético's defensive organisation could keep the scoreline tight. An interesting match awaits.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Atlético Madrid.

PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk

PSV and Shakhtar meet again after their remarkable 2024/25 Champions League encounter, when the Dutch side came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with two late goals and a stoppage-time winner.

After a shocking draw in their league opener, PSV have since produced strong domestic form, going unbeaten in their last four league matches, including impressive victories over Excelsior, Utrecht, Groningen and Ajax. 

Shakhtar have less momentum and face a difficult trip to Eindhoven after suffering their first defeat of the season at home to Polissya Zhytomyr before bouncing back with a comeback win over Karpaty. 

PSV's attacking quartet of Ricardo Pepi, Guus Til, Ivan Perisic and Ruben van Bommel, home advantage and familiarity with the Ukrainian side make them favourites, although injuries including Adamo Nagalo's absence could affect their defensive depth.

Prediction: PSV 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk.

Sporting CP vs Galatasaray

Sporting CP are one of the form teams entering Matchday One, having won four of their last five games and scoring freely, including a 4-0 away victory over Rio Ave and a 3-1 win against Alverca. 

Galatasaray have also enjoyed an attacking start, beating Başakşehir 3-2 and Erzurumspor 4-0, but they have conceded too often and are winless in four games against teams outside Turkiye in pre-season, losing to Monza, Venezia, and Villarreal. 

The fixture is historic because it is the first competitive meeting between the clubs. Galatasaray's injury concerns surrounding Victor Osimhen, Mario Lemina, and Wilfried Singo will weaken their chances.

Sporting's current momentum, adding to their home advantage, and Galatasaray's injury woes should make the difference. 

Prediction: Sporting CP 2-1 Galatasaray.

Napoli vs Arsenal

Napoli face a demanding opening assignment against an Arsenal side that reached last season's Champions League final and have started the new campaign strongly, winning their opening three Premier League matches.

Napoli's season started with a victory over Genoa, but defeats against Como and Inter have since followed. Massimiliano Allegri has made a difficult start to the season, and Arsenal will be very confident heading into this.

The historical record also favours the Gunners, who have won three of the four previous competitive meetings, including both legs of their 2019 Europa League quarter-final without conceding a goal.

William Saliba is out for Arsenal, with Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera in doubt, but Arteta still has significant defensive and attacking options, with Ezri Konsa impressive on his first start in a high-stakes match against Chelsea.

Napoli's home advantage and Kevin De Bruyne's record against the Premier League side should keep them competitive, yet Arsenal's overall balance gives them the edge.

Prediction: Napoli 0-2 Arsenal.

Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt

Bayern Munich have been handed one of the more unusual opening fixtures, hosting Norwegian giants slayers Bodø/Glimt in their first European match of the season.

The Bavarians possess a huge advantage of playing at home, Champions League experience, and attacking quality, while visiting Bodø/Glimt's greatest strength is their energetic, aggressive approach. 

Bayern's recent form is strong, with four wins from their last five matches, while Bodo Glimt are unbeaten in their last 20 games, drawing three, and produced a massive run in the competition last season by beating Inter home and away in the round of 16.

There is no meaningful previous Champions League head-to-head record between the sides, making this a fresh contest. Bodø/Glimt's achievement in reaching this stage deserves respect, but Bayern's superior quality makes them the favourite.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 4-1 Bodø/Glimt.

Como vs RB Leipzig

Ahead of their Champions League debut, Como have made an eye-catching start to the domestic season and arrive after beating Genoa 4-1 and Napoli 2-1, while also drawing with Udinese.

Their opponents, RB Leipzig, have been inconsistent, losing 3-1 to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga after earlier victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Trier in the DFB Pokal.  

The fixture is particularly intriguing because the clubs have never previously met competitively. Leipzig have more established Champions League experience, but Como's recent results suggest they will not be overawed by the occasion.

Injuries to several Leipzig players, including Castello Lukeba, Brajan Gruda, Christopher Baumgartner, Rocco Reitz and Assan Ouédraogo, could further weaken their options. 

Prediction: Como 2-1 RB Leipzig.