Champions League Showdown: Bold Predictions for Matchday 9's Epic Clashes

The 2025–26 Champions League league phase commenced on Tuesday evening—with the opening matchday's fixtures distributed across three nights rather than the customary two.

Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise, Qarabağ, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur all secured victories on day one while Juventus and Borussia Dortmund battled to an entertaining eight-goal stalemate. Now it's time for Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea to begin their campaigns, with all four clubs certainly anticipating progression to next year's knockout rounds.

Title holders Paris Saint-Germain are also taking the field on Wednesday evening, beginning their title defense with a challenging home encounter against former Europa League champions Atalanta.

Here's how Sports Illustrated forecasts these matches unfolding.

UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 9/17

Olympiacos vs. Pafos

Match time: 5.45 p.m. BST / 12.45 p.m ET / 9.45 a.m. PT

Pafos will provide one of the most fascinating storylines of the league phase, as the Champions League newcomers take on Greek powerhouse Olympiacos to open Wednesday's proceedings.

Olympiacos advanced to the Europa League round of 16 last campaign, building upon their memorable 2023–24 Conference League victory, and should possess sufficient experience, especially on home soil, to overcome a team that defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv to reach this stage.

Prediction: Olympiacos 3–1 Pafos

Slavia Prague vs. Bodø/Glimt

Match time: 5.45 p.m. BST / 12.45 p.m ET / 9.45 a.m. PT

Bodø/Glimt have risen to prominence in recent years and gained wider recognition, though they too are competition newcomers. The Norwegian outfit, who reached the Europa League semifinals last term, begin their journey in the Czech capital against Slavia Prague.

Slavia concluded last season's league phase in 30th position, which should provide considerable encouragement to their opponents, despite currently leading their domestic league with 20 points from eight fixtures.

However, Eliteserien champions Bodø impressively dispatched Sturm Graz during qualification and might secure an ideal opening result.

Prediction: Slavia Prague 0–2 Bodø/Glimt

Ajax vs. Inter

Match time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m ET / 12 p.m. PT

Total football's pinnacle perhaps came in the 1972 European Cup final when Ajax overcame Inter, one of the dominant teams of the 1960s, 2–0. Therefore, football purists will appreciate the rich history when these clubs meet in Amsterdam.

Inter reached last season's final before encountering a Luis Enrique-led Paris Saint-Germain powerhouse, and matches involving the Nerazzurri typically prove tight, tactical encounters, even though Simone Inzaghi has departed for new challenges at Al Hilal.

Prediction: Ajax 0–0 Inter

Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea

Match time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m ET / 12 p.m. PT

Several outstanding fixtures await under Wednesday evening's floodlights, with Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich welcoming Conference League winners Chelsea in a rematch of the 2012 final.

Among the summer's major transfer sagas was Nicolas Jackson's delayed switch to Germany, and he has the chance to prove himself against the club that willingly sent him away on a costly loan with purchase obligations—though whether that materializes remains uncertain given Uli Hoeneß's recent statements.

Jackson will likely feature as a substitute, with Harry Kane instead charged with defeating a team he struggled against during his Tottenham Hotspur days—eight goals in 22 appearances representing a disappointing tally by his exceptional standards.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3–1 Chelsea

Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid

Match time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m ET / 12 p.m. PT

Arne Slot's heavily-invested Liverpool squad has the opportunity to demonstrate their Champions League quality when hosting Atlético Madrid at Anfield for a premium encounter.

These teams have clashed six times before, with each claiming victory twice and drawing on two occasions, though no meetings have occurred since their 2008–09 group stage encounters.

Liverpool enter as many observers' favorites and we might witness British-record £125 million signing Alexander Isak don the red jersey for the first time following his controversial departure from Newcastle United.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–0 Atlético Madrid

Paris Saint-Germain. vs Atalanta

Match time: 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m ET / 12 p.m. PT

PSG rank among the world's elite—though Chelsea could stake that claim with their Club World Cup triumph—but they've endured numerous injuries at the campaign's outset. Consequently, they're launching their title defense without several key players, as Ivan Juric's Atalanta visits the Parc des Princes.

Enrique will appreciate facing a Juric-managed La Dea, following Gian Piero Gasperini's summer exit, and this could provide the remedy needed to launch PSG's Champions League defense successfully.

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Atalanta

Matchday 9/17 Predictions