Sports Illustrated Boldly Forecasts Every Champions League Matchday 1 Result

The Champions League league phase officially got underway on Tuesday as record European champions Real Madrid took center stage, welcoming Inter Milan to their home ground.

Now attention turns to their Clásico rivals Barcelona as they launch their European campaign, alongside Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool, who face challenging fixtures. Back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain also begin their title defense.

Wednesday's six-game slate features some mouth-watering matchups that promise an abundance of goals, with the aforementioned quartet of European powerhouses all looking to get off to a winning start.

Will they succeed? Here's how Sports Illustrated sees the matches unfolding.

Barcelona vs. Feyenoord Prediction

Prediction: Barcelona 3–0 Feyenoord

It has been 11 years since Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy. There have been near misses and lengthy runs since then, and there is genuine belief in Catalonia that Hansi Flick's current squad can break the drought this term.

Judging by their domestic form, European success is very much within reach. Barça have won all four of their La Liga outings so far, netting 17 goals while conceding just twice. Spain's champions have been characteristically clinical, even without a top-class center forward.

Flick, who guided Bayern Munich to Champions League glory in 2020, will expect a commanding display from his team against 1970 European Cup holders Feyenoord, who make the trip to Camp Nou needing a flawless performance and a generous slice of luck to leave Barcelona with anything to show for it.

The Dutch side are unbeaten through their first five Eredivisie fixtures, winning all three away matches despite dropping points in both home games, but their league form counts for little when faced with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Rodri and company.

Stuttgart vs. Viking Prediction

Prediction: Stuttgart 4–1 Viking

Following in the footsteps of fellow Norwegians Bodø/Glimt last season, Viking become the country's second-consecutive Champions League debutants. Unlike Bodø, who spent years developing through the Conference League and Europa League, Viking have dived straight into the deep end.

The Scandinavians have not featured in the group stage or league phase of a European competition since the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, meaning this is very unfamiliar ground for them.

A visit to Stuttgart is far from an easy opening assignment for the Dark Blues, with their German opponents having gained invaluable European experience over the past two campaigns.

Stuttgart were far more competitive than the 5–1 scoreline indicated in their Bundesliga opener against Bayern, and they bounced back by hammering Köln 4–1 last Friday. Sebastian Hoeneß could see a similar result from the home dugout as he unleashes his high-tempo, attack-minded football on the competition newcomers.

Liverpool vs. Atlético Madrid Prediction

Prediction: Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid

For the second consecutive season, Liverpool welcome Atlético Madrid on Matchday 1 of the league phase. A thrilling encounter ended 3–2 in the Reds' favor last September, and an equally frantic contest is anticipated for Andoni Iraola's managerial bow in the Champions League.

Liverpool claimed their first competitive victory under the Spaniard last Friday as a rapid Alexander Isak double saw off Ipswich Town, but while their attacking play has shown promise in the opening weeks, the Merseysiders continue to struggle defensively.

The same applies to Diego Simeone's Atléti, who conceded three unanswered goals to Athletic Club at the weekend. They have let in six goals across their last three matches and no longer resemble the disciplined, defensively-sound unit they were under the Argentine manager.

Simeone was dismissed in this fixture last season following confrontations with the home supporters. He and his players will be hungry for revenge, but Liverpool may just prevail in the chaos on another electric Anfield night under the floodlights.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Slovan Bratislava Prediction

Prediction: PSG 3–0 Slovan Bratislava

When PSG raised their second-successive Champions League trophy in May, few could have predicted their dismal start to the 2026–27 campaign. Since claiming the UEFA Super Cup last month, they have failed to win any of their four domestic fixtures.

A loss to ten-man Lens in the Trophées des Champions was followed by consecutive 2–2 draws in Ligue 1, both requiring late comebacks to salvage a point. To compound their misery, they fell to Monaco last Friday, leaving them sitting 13th and seven points adrift of the principality club at the top.

Fortunately for Luis Enrique and his squad, the schedule has been favorable to PSG at the start of their league phase campaign. A home tie against Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava should be straightforward, and they may use it as an opportunity to rebuild confidence with a high-scoring win at Parc des Princes.

Slovan, who lost all eight of their Champions League matches in 2024–25, will need something extraordinary to leave with their dignity intact from what is Yaya Touré's managerial debut in the competition's league phase—also a historic first for an African manager.

Sporting CP vs. Galatasaray Prediction

Prediction: Sporting 2–1 Galatasaray

Galatasaray may have advanced to last season's round of 16, but their away form was dreadful. Aside from their 3–0 victory over Ajax, the Turkish club lost every away fixture across the continent, and the new European campaign could begin in much the same fashion.

Sporting, who reached the quarterfinals last season and were only narrowly eliminated by Arsenal, have opened their domestic season with a draw and four convincing wins. Rui Borges will draw confidence from his side's impressive home record at the Estádio José Alvalade—just three defeats across all competitions over the past year.

Galatasaray possess their share of star quality, but key striker Victor Osimhen is sidelined through injury, which could prove costly. Sporting, meanwhile, can count on prolific forward Luis Suárez, who has found the net four times in his last three appearances.

Napoli vs. Arsenal Prediction

Prediction: Napoli 0–2 Arsenal

On paper, Arsenal's trip to Napoli appears to be a stern examination of their quality. However, given Napoli's current struggles and Arsenal's outstanding form, many anticipate a comfortable victory for the away side on Matchday 1.

Arsenal demonstrated their attacking and defensive quality in a 2–1 weekend victory over Chelsea, keeping their perfect start to the season intact. Mikel Arteta's side have conceded just 0.9 expected goals in the Premier League so far, and another clean sheet looks probable against a Napoli team in poor form.

The 2024–25 Serie A champions are experiencing early difficulties under Massimiliano Allegri. A home defeat to Como was followed by a dramatic collapse at San Siro at the weekend, where Napoli squandered a two-goal advantage in a 3–2 defeat to Inter.

The Italians have lacked the defensive organization typically associated with Allegri's teams and have also been surprisingly underwhelming in attack. A home fixture against Arsenal looks almost certain to end in another loss.

Champions League Predictions: Sept. 9