The Champions League is back and it continues with the new “League Phase” format introduced recently: 36 clubs, all in one overarching league table, rather than the old eight groups of four. Each team plays 8 matches: four home, four away, vs eight different opponents.
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After those 8 matches, the top 8 teams go directly into the Round of 16. Teams placed 9th-24th enter a two-legged playoff round to fight for the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16. Teams 25th and below are eliminated.
Athletic Bilbao vs Arsenal: 1-3
The Gunners are expected to beat the Spaniards at the Saint Mammes, the Bilbao based side lost 0-1 at the weekend to Alaves at home, they also lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Emirates Cup last month, nothing different is expected in this tie, Arteta’s men would be too good for Ernesto Valverde’s charges
PSV Vs Union SG: 2-1
PSV bounced back from a shocking 2-0 loss at home to Telstar with a 5-3 away win in the league, Union are in good form in the league with 4 wins and a draw, The Dutch side got the better of the Belgian team recently 1-0 in preseason and the outcome would not be too far from last month
Benfica Vs Qarabag: 3-0
Benfica commenced the season winning 4 and drawing just 1 of their first 5 games without conceding any goal, they have conceded 2 since then, but that doesn’t take away the form that would see them get a comprehensive victory over the team from Azerbaijan
Juventus Vs Dortmund: 4-2
Fresh from the 4-3 Derby Italia victor over Inter Milan, the Old Lady is gradually showing the sort of dominance that has been elusive in recent years winning their first three games in Serie A this season, Dortmund on the other hand, Guirassy upfront would pose a threat, but I expect the fire power of Yildiz and Vlahovic to be superior, a similar outcome to the 2-1 win in a recent preseason friendly is expected
Real Madrid Vs Marseille: 3-0
Xabi Alonso’s team would deliver the goods against a Roberto Di Zerbi side whose growth has been stagnated by internal squabbles
Kylian Mbappe and co are expected to be too hot for Marseille
Tottenham Vs Villarreal: 2-2
Spurs are back in the Champions League, their opening day against less fancied Villarreal would be a testament of their readiness for a campaign which they only qualified for through the narrow window of the Europa League
Good wins in the league gives hope that Thomas Frank and his men would step up to the plate, but expect the Yellow Submarines to attack without fear and get a result away in England
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