This Tuesday marked the official return of the Champions League with Real Madrid's clash against Inter. On Wednesday, September 9, other European giants like Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool, and current trophy holders PSG join the action.
Sports Illustrated has released detailed predictions for all six matches taking place on this thrilling matchday.
Barcelona vs Feyenoord (Prediction: 3-0)
Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona.
Kick-off time: 19:45 Moscow time (17:45 BST).
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany).
It’s been eleven long years since Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy, but optimism reigns in Catalonia. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, the team looks poised to finally end their drought. They've started strongly in La Liga, winning all four matches with an impressive total of 17 goals scored and just 2 conceded.
While Feyenoord remains unbeaten in their opening five matches of the Dutch league, they will need a miracle to weather the storm of Barcelona's stellar attack, led by rising stars Lamine Yamal and Rafinha.
Stuttgart vs Viking (Prediction: 4-1)
Stadium: MHP Arena, Stuttgart.
Kick-off time: 19:45 Moscow time (17:45 BST).
Referee: Nenad Milinkovic (Serbia).
Viking becomes the second consecutive Norwegian debutant in the group stages of the Champions League after Bodo/Glimt's breakthrough last year. The pressure will be immense, especially considering it’s been since the 2005/06 season that a Scandinavian club played at this level.
Stuttgart, spearheaded by Sebastian Hoeness, bounced back from an opening-day defeat to Bayern by smashing Köln 4-1. Their recent European experience is set to pose a daunting challenge for the newcomers, particularly given Stuttgart's explosive attacking style.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (Prediction: 3-2)
Stadium: Anfield, Liverpool.
Kick-off time: 22:00 Moscow time (20:00 BST).
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy).
For the second consecutive season, these two teams meet at Anfield in the opening round, with the previous encounter ending in a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Merseyside club. Both sides are expected to deliver another intense spectacle, especially with Andoni Iraola making his Champions League debut.
Liverpool's front line, featuring the formidable duo of Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, looks fearsome, but their defence remains shaky. Atletico, meanwhile, has shown vulnerabilities, conceding six goals in their last three outings, including a heavy 3-0 loss to Atletico. Anfield could prove pivotal for the hosts.
PSG vs Slovan Bratislava (Prediction: 3-0)
Stadium: Parc des Princes, Paris.
Kick-off time: 22:00 Moscow time (20:00 BST).
Referee: Nikolai Balakin (Ukraine).
Despite winning the last two editions of the Champions League, PSG have had a dismal start to the domestic season, failing to win any of their first four matches and sitting a lowly 13th in Ligue 1. However, the visit of modest Slovakian side Slovan offers a chance for them to recapture their confidence. Notably, their coach Yaya Toure will become the first African manager to lead a team in the tournament's group stage history.
Sporting vs Galatasaray (Prediction: 2-1)
Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon.
Kick-off time: 22:00 Moscow time (20:00 BST).
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway).
Last season, Galatasaray reached the Round of 16 but have consistently struggled on the road in Europe, losing nearly all their matches away from home. The absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen only complicates matters for the Turkish giants.
Conversely, Sporting, under the management of Rui Borges, has made a strong start to the season, winning their first four league matches convincingly. They’ve only lost three times at home throughout the previous year, and with Luis Suarez finding his scoring touch, they will be a tough nut to crack.
Napoli vs Arsenal (Prediction: 0-2)
Stadium: Diego Armando Maradona, Naples.
Kick-off time: 22:00 Moscow time (20:00 BST).
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden).
Away games in Naples are usually daunting, but Arsenal are clear favourites given their excellent start to the season, which includes a commanding victory over Chelsea and a mere 0.9 xG against them thus far.
Napoli is on a quest for balance under Massimiliano Allegri, suffering a shocking home defeat to Como and squandering a lead against Inter recently, revealing significant defensive frailties. Handling the pressure from the Londoners will be a monumental challenge for the hosts.
