Champions League regular phase continues with second day of action on Matchday 1
Olympiacos vs. Pafos
Olympiacos are no strangers when it comes to competing in the UEFA Champions League. They are participating in this competition for the 36th season.
However, it has to be mentioned that this is their first appearance after missing out on this competition for four seasons.
Pafos were crowned Cypriot champions for the first time in club history in the previous season. That achievement alone was more than enough to earn them a spot in this year's UEFA Champions League.
No Cyprus team has managed to reach the UEFA Champions League proper since APOEL in the 2017-18 season, meaning Juan Carlos Carcedo's men have shattered the curse. Can the debutants impress in this competition or disappoint? See our Olympiacos vs Pafos prediction for game insights
Another thing is that one cannot overlook that they are the third team from Cyprus, alongside APOEL and Anorthosis Famagusta, to be participating in this competition.
Slavia Prague vs. Bodo/Glimt
Slavia Prague was crowned as the Czech First League champions in the previous season. This saw them earn their place in the UEFA Champions League proper, a long-awaited return after six seasons away. Our Sportytrader betting experts are vouching for them in this one against an injury-riddled Bodo/Glimt to start the tournament on a positive note. For more on game insights on this match, head on over to our Slavia Prague vs Bodo/Glimt prediction.
Bodo/Glimt is the headline act in Norwegian football. The Norwegian side had no trouble brushing aside the threat of Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League play-offs by winning 6-2 on aggregate. This marks their fourth campaign in this competition.
That was all they needed to reach the UEFA Champions League proper for the first time in club history. This made them the third Norwegian team to do so after Rosenborg and Molde.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid
Liverpool has a long-standing pedigree in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds' participation in this competition marks their 17th campaign.
In the current campaign, Arne Slot's men are determined to reach new heights in the Champions League after being ousted in the Round of 16 against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the previous season.
Atletico Madrid also has an illustrious history in the UEFA Champions League. The Spanish club has been a regular in this tournament for over a decade now and is making its 16th appearance in the Champions League proper.
Despite that, the Colchoneros have yet to lift the prestigious trophy. They will hope to change all that and hit the ground running. Their sights are set on a victory against Liverpool in matchday one. They are unfazed, considering they have won eight of their last 15 Champions League opening matches and will be hoping for a win here. The question is, will this be possible? See our Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid prediction.
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
Bayern Munich might not boast a lot of UEFA Champions League trophies like Real Madrid, but the German giants have been a force of nature in this competition. This season marks their 29th appearance in the Champions League proper.
The Bavarians also boast an impregnable fortress in this competition. Their last home defeat in the Champions League group stage/league phase came in 2013. Since then, they have maintained a 34-match unbeaten run (W32, D2).
Chelsea are back in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 season. This is also their 20th campaign in this tournament.
The Blues' performance against German clubs has been impressive. So far, the West London outfit has won seven of their last 11 group stage/league phase matches (D2, L2). Can they avoid defeat against the German giant Bayern Munich? Let's find out in our Bayern Munich vs Chelsea prediction.
PSG vs. Atalanta
The defending UEFA Champions League champions, PSG, begin their title defense with a match against Atalanta on matchday one. Our SportyTrader betting experts are vouching for their win in this clash. See our PSG vs Atalanta prediction.
The Parisians have been impressive against Italian opposition in this competition, winning five of their last six matches (L1).
Another important thing that has to be pointed out is that they have won each of their opening Champions League matches in three successive seasons.
Meanwhile, Atalanta have suffered just one defeat in their last five UEFA club competition matches against French opposition. Surprisingly, that sole defeat came at the hands of PSG.
La Dea are making their second consecutive appearance in the Champions League after two seasons away. The Bergamo club is also taking part in this tournament for the fifth time.
Ajax vs. Inter Milan
Ajax are making their 19th appearance in the UEFA Champions League proper. It has to be pointed out that this is also the first time since 2022-23 that they are stepping foot in this tournament.
The Amsterdammers will hope to start the current campaign on a positive note. That might actually be the case, considering they've lost just one of their last five opening matches in the UEFA Champions League (W4).
Inter Milan is participating in the UEFA Champions League for the eighth consecutive time. This also marks their 19th appearance in this tournament.
In the previous edition, they reached the final but suffered an embarrassing defeat against PSG, losing 5-0. That outcome was marked down on paper as the biggest defeat in Europe's top club tournament history.
