The 2026/27 Champions League phase begins on Tuesday, 8 September, with six fixtures across the opening round.
The early games are AEK Athens vs LASK and Club Brugge vs Aston Villa, before four matches begin at 8pm UK time.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Real Madrid host Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu in the biggest fixture of the opening night.
José Mourinho starts his second spell at Madrid with a demanding European test after the side’s 1-0 defeat by Real Betis. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior give Madrid pace on both flanks, while Jude Bellingham can carry the ball through midfield.
Inter’s main threat comes from Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram. Their movement can pull Madrid’s centre-backs away from their preferred positions and create space around the penalty area.
Madrid’s midfield absences, including Arda Güler and Eduardo Camavinga, could make the contest more difficult.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
Porto vs Manchester City
Manchester City begin their European campaign away to Porto following Enzo Maresca’s appointment as manager.
Maresca has introduced a different tactical approach after succeeding Pep Guardiola, making City’s structure without the ball one of the key areas to watch.
Porto can test that structure with quick transitions and direct runs behind the defence. City will rely heavily on Erling Haaland’s movement in the final third, particularly when Porto defend with a high line.
Prediction: Porto 1-2 Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
Dortmund face Villarreal with both sides possessing enough pace to make transitions important.
Serhou Guirassy provides Dortmund with a focal point in the penalty area, while Jobe Bellingham and Ethan Nwaneri can carry the ball into advanced positions.
Dortmund will also have to manage defensive absences, with Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini suspended. Villarreal can exploit those gaps if they move the ball quickly between the Dortmund full-backs and centre-backs.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Villarreal
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
Club Brugge and Aston Villa meet in the first round of fixtures.
Brugge’s Hans Vanaken offers a creative outlet between midfield and attack, while Simon Mignolet provides experience behind the defence.
Villa must handle Brugge’s movement around the penalty area and avoid allowing Vanaken time to deliver passes into the forwards. Emiliano Buendía can provide Villa with a route through the Belgian side’s midfield when Villa regain possession.
Prediction: Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villa
Lille vs Real Betis
Lille face Real Betis in a game that could hinge on the battle between Lille’s defensive organisation and Betis’ creativity.
Betis have players such as Isco and Antony who can receive the ball between the lines and create chances from central areas.
Lille will need to close those spaces quickly while using their own forwards to test Betis’ defensive line.
Prediction: Lille 2-1 Real Betis
AEK Athens vs LASK
AEK Athens open against LASK in the other early kick-off.
Luka Jović gives AEK a recognised target in the penalty area, while LASK must maintain a compact defensive shape to prevent him receiving crosses and passes close to goal.
LASK can threaten through quick counter-attacks, but AEK should create the greater number of opportunities over 90 minutes.
Prediction: AEK Athens 2-0 LASK
