UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Predictions Including Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Tuesday sees the resumption of the biggest club football competition in the world, the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League returns with the league phase, matchday 1. As always, we offer previews and predictions for every matchup on star filled European nights. Tuesday’s clashes include Real Madrid hosting Inter Milan and FC Porto hosting Manchester City.
Aston Villa at Club Brugge
2025-26 Europa League winners Aston Villa start their Champions League campaign away in Belgium against a Club Brugge side that consistently punches above their weight in Europe. Unai Emery’s men have only managed a point in the early returns from the Premier League this season, but will stick back their squad against Brugge, as both these teams have seen significant squad turnover from the previous season.
Club Brugge has an experienced international goalkeeper in Yann Sommer, the Swiss international, he provides stability, as does captain Hans Vanaken in the midfield. Nicolo Tresoldi is the main attacking threat for Brugge, while they will miss defender Joel Ordonez, an Ecuador international.
Aston Villa will start rising Japan international Zion Sukuzi in goal, Nicolas Jackson may be the main man up top at the striker position. Leon Goretzka is also in frame to possibly debut for Villa.
Playing away from home, Villa likely won’t be able to dominate this match, it feels like a cagey start is on deck for both teams, but I don’t expect this clash to be dull.
LASK at AEK Athens
LASK stunned Celtic to reach the Champions League for the first time, while AEK Athens also made it through the playoff path but have more of a European pedigree, as they host the Austrian side on matchday 1. AEK Athens are a defensively sound side, while LASK have shown they know how to find the back of the net, setting up a style clash. AEK can call upon Barnabas Varga and Luka Jovic, while Christoph Lang is LASK’s top goal scoring threat.
Neither squad is loaded with famous names, but playing in Greece is an advantage for AEK and likely enough to get them off to a winning start.
Inter Milan at Real Madrid
Two of the most famous teams in Europe will clash in Madrid, as Jose Mourinho faces an early form test at the helm of the team that has won this competition more than any other. Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan is now behind the steering wheel of the Ferrari that is Real Madrid. Real Madrid finally suffered defeat in La Liga this season, losing to Real Betis late. Inter Milan had a comeback win inspired by Lautaro Martinez against a quality Napoli side on the weekend, and are perfect in Serie A’s early returns.
Real Madrid will not be full strength for this clash, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Guler remain suspended, Aurelien Tchouameni isn’t fit, and they also have to worry about Rodrygo and Eder Militao. Inter Milan will be able to bring a near-best choice XI.
While Lautaro Martinez is the talisman for Inter Milan, he’s paired with Marcus Thuram the France international. Real Madrid is of course the show of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, as Mourinho is the latest manager to try to get the trident of elite attackers into a flow state. I don’t expect a clean sheet, but this is still Real Madrid at home, and Inter Milan are likely to be cautious.
Villarreal at Borussia Dortmund
Two wins on the trot has Borussia Dortmund dreaming of success in both the Bundesliga and in Europe this season, while Villarreal remains winless in La Liga after four games. Traveling to Germany won’t be easy for a Villarreal side that struggled in the Champions League last season and lost to Dortmund 4-0 in 2025.
Villareal will be without Juan Foyth at CB, but is otherwise relatively fit with players like Nicolas Pepe and Canadian international Tajon Buchanan in the starting XI. Dortmund has a star in Serhou Guirassy at striker, with Gregor Kobel still at GK, and Jobe Bellingham set to start in the midfield. Dortmund will be missing Nico Schlotterbeck and Ramy Bensebaini here, weakening their defence, but they still look capable of scoring freely and getting the win here.
Manchester City at FC Porto
Champions of Portugal in 2025-26 and off to a perfect start this season, FC Porto have the best squad in the Liga Portugal. Manchester City has seen significant squad turnover, but are still competitive for a Premier League title after three wins from three, and a second place finish in the table last season.
Playing at home may help Porto be competitive, but the gap between the Premier League and the rest of Europe continues to grow. Enzo Maresca will start his Champions League campaign for City with Erling Haaland once again the focal point. Francesco Farioli is one of Europe’s best managers, and leads FC Porto.
The new man Enzo Fernandez could start for Manchester City in this one, while Belgian international Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly are likely not fit to go. Porto will miss key defender Jan Bednarek, part of their Polish wall in the back with Jakub Kiwior. Porto’s Victor Froholdt will also miss due to concussion, as does the promising striker Samu.
20-year-old Brazilian William Gomes is a name to watch on the wing for Porto, while the Manchester city attack is well-known, the high scoring Haaland with Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo, and Rayan Cherki.
Even away, Manchester United’s firepower should prove too much.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1
Real Betis at Lille
Real Betis remain one of the most entertaining sides in Europe, and will travel to Lille to play their opening Champions League clash. Betis were brave and upset Real Madrid on Friday, making it 3-0-1 to start the year in La Liga. Lille managed a draw with PSG on August 28th, and have seven points to begin Ligue 1’s season.
Betis have surprisingly not played in the Champions League in two decades, they will be without defender Diego Llorente in the clash, but the key players are all ready to go including new signing Troy Parrott, Isco, and Antony. Lille counters with a 19-year-old Ethan Mbappe, and Olivier Giroud, now 39 and still scoring in Ligue 1. This will be a competitive clash, but at home, Lille can take all three points.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
