The 2025/26 Champions League season will begin on Tuesday evening with a big battle between Arsenal and Athletic Club, and all you have to do is look across the Matchday 1 League Phase schedule to see that the new format has indeed brought many more marquee matchups to the fore for fans to sink their teeth into.
We have multiple battles between historic European sides, including two rematches of former Champions League Finals in Juventus vs. Dortmund and, much more recently, Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich.
Here are score predictions for the 10 biggest games that will take place from Tuesday to Thursday evening across European football.
Athletic Club vs. Arsenal
Athletic Club are a dangerous side, but Arsenal have shown that they can win without superstar right winger Bukayo Saka, as the young Noni Madueke was tremendous over the weekend in a Man of the Match caliber performance against Nottingham Forest with the Gunners grabbing a huge 3-0 victory.
Look for Arsenal to scrape by Athletic Club on Tuesday evening, courtesy of more heroics from Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. Call it a 1-2 win for the visitors, with Oihan Saincet and Alex Berenguer combining on a cross to pull one back for the Lions.
Tottenham vs. Villarreal
Villarreal were dreadful over the weekend against Atletico Madrid, but they look a dangerous side with a resurgent Nicolas Pepe. Still, Tottenham have been mightily impressive – excursion against Bournemouth aside – and you wouldn’t bet against them winning a 3-2 instant classic against the Yellow Submarine.
Juventus vs. Dortmund
Juventus and Dortmund are two European powers who have met in Champions League Finals before, but they are now trying to get back to a point where they are legitimate contenders in European football.
Well, Dortmund did make it to the 2023/24 Champions League Final against Real Madrid, but they are such a flaw side and so reliant on Serhou Guirassy to bail them out. Meanwhile, Juve are quietly building a complete squad, and their smart summer business came to the fore with an incredible 4-3 Derby d’Italia victory over the weekend.
Juve, the home side, will win this one ugly 1-0, reminding fans around European football that with players like Gleison Bremer and the underrated Michele Di Gregorio in goal, the Bianconeri are back to having one of the continent’s nastiest defenses.
Real Madrid vs. Marseille
Underrated Marseille at your own risk, but it’s hard to envision them stealing a win away from a resurgent Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso – and at the Santiago Bernabeu, no less. Look for Real to win this 3-1 with Kylian Mbappe haunting his old Le Clasique rivals with two more goals to his impressive Real Madrid tally.
Ajax vs. Inter Milan
There are probably some fans who won’t see Ajax and Inter Milan as a big game, but I think most fans acknowledge that these are two of European football’s most historic sides.
While Inter made the Champions League Final for the second time in three years last season, Ajax haven’t been a factor in the tournament since their fairytale run in the 2018/19 season.
The Dutch giants have yet to lose this season, and while veterans Steve Berghuis and Wout Weghorst could cause the Nerazzurri some problems, there’s a clear gulf in class between the sides. Inter just outlast Ajax on the road 2-1, with Marcus Thuram bagging a late winner.
PSG vs. Atalanta
Mired in a bit of turmoil after failing to sell disgruntled forward Ademola Lookman, Atalanta still made a statement this weekend that they can score goals with Charles De Ketelaere and potential breakout star Nicola Zalewski fueling a 4-1 win over Lecce.
But this is defending champions PSG we are talking about here, and they have won five straight games since Chelsea pulled their pants down in the Club World Cup Final. Atalanta will go heavy metal, but PSG will take this one 5-2.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid
Liverpool look as good as advertised, and they cannot stop winning tough games. The clear Premier League champions last season, Liverpool only got better this summer with new fullbacks, two top strikers, and Florian Wirtz to the good.
It will take more time before Arne Slot unleashes new gem Alexander Isak, but, as we have seen, Liverpool don’t need Isak to score. Atletico Madrid got back on track with a big win over Villarreal, but their squad is too flawed to give the Reds real trouble at Anfield. Give me Liverpool 3-1.
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
A rematch of the 2012 Champions League Final, Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea looks like the biggest game of the week, and it’s honestly too close to call between these sides.
Both Bayern and Chelsea are legitimate Champions League title contenders and can play exciting football. While Bayern may have more star power with Harry Kane at striker and Joshua Kimmich in the midfield, Chelsea’s more underrated Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro have been just as good.
Predicting a 2-2 draw seems fair, with Estevao Willian and Michael Olise going blow for blow on their respective right wings to give fans around the world a classic.
Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Newcastle are back in the Champions League, but with Alexander Isak, it’s fair to wonder how much they will threaten the elite title contenders like Barcelona, who are loaded up on superstars like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Barca are out to win it all this season after a heartbreaking semifinals defeat to Inter Milan. They will make a statement in England, winning 2-1 without top star Lamine Yamal as Raphinha scores twice against his old Premier League foes to remind fans that he’s a Ballon d’Or candidate, too.
Manchester City vs. Napoli
Manchester City almost didn’t make it to the Champions League this season, and while Napoli have the aura of an underdog, they were the Serie A champions last season under Antonio Conte.
Romelu Lukaku’s injury hasn’t stopped the Partenopei from winning or scoring goals. They just put three past one of Italy’s better teams in Fiorentina and have won three in three.
Look for Napoli to win 3-2, as Kevin De Bruyne haunts his old side in a game that ends up being arguably the best of Matchday 1.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.