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The UEFA Champions League returns to our screens in midweek as 36 teams aim to hit the ground running, collecting all three points in round one. PSG enter as the defending champions, following an emphatic win over Milan in last season's final. Will the giants of French football open with a victory at home to Atalanta on Wednesday?
You can make predictions and gamble on your fancies from matchday one, with the UK's leading sportsbooks offering pre-match and live betting odds. Pick the match-winner or play one of the many exciting specials, including both teams to score, handicap, total goals, first scorer and more. Bet smart and you could celebrate the 71st season of Europe's best-loved club competition with a healthy profit.
Which teams are expected to win, and which bookies have the most generous odds? Flashscore's experienced sports gambling writer Frank Monkhouse walks you through his Champions League round 1 predictions, best bets and odds.
Athletic Club v Arsenal, Tuesday, 17:45 BST
Spanish La Liga fourth-place finishers Athletic Club welcome English Premier League runners-up Arsenal to Estadio San Mames for this late afternoon kick-off. The locals began their domestic season strongly, building a winning streak that saw them open with an entertaining 3-2 over Sevilla at this venue. The Lions also edged Vallecano 1-0, ensuring they enter with confidence.
Arsenal suffered the pain of another near-miss last season, finishing as the best of the rest behind runaway leaders and champions Liverpool in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side bagged a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, and delivered a statement of intent when smashing Leeds 5-0 less than a week later.
Here, we have a meeting of two teams with confidence in their ranks and momentum in their work. That should translate into an entertaining game, and I'm picking both teams to score. With this approach, the winning team isn't important. As long as Athletic and Arsenal find the net at least once each, you'll land the profits.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 3/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If both Athletic Club and Arsenal find the net, you'll secure a profit.
Juventus v Borussia Dortmund, Tuesday, 20:00 BST
One of the standout fixtures from the opening day of play comes from Italy, where Serie A giants Juventus face Bundesliga big guns Borussia Dortmund. The home team boast an impressive record in this competition. The Old Lady haven't been anywhere near their best in recent seasons, but the most successful team in Serie A are something of a sleeping giant. They beat Parma 2-0 at this stadium last month, and ended August with a 1-0 away win over Genoa.
Borussia Dortmund finished fourth in the Bundesliga last time, securing a return to Europe's premier club competition. BVB opened this campaign with a six-goal draw at St Pauli and then got off the mark with a 3-0 home win over Union Berlin. Their recent results show the visitors aren't lacking in attacking flair, but must improve in defence if they are to challenge for silverware in Germany and on the continent.
The eventual winner of the Champions League could come from this fixture, but there's a long way to go. I predict a tight match and a competitive 90 minutes. With that in mind, we're backing over 2.5 goals as our main play.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need this match to produce three or more goals from both teams combined.
Tottenham vs Villarreal, Tuesday, 20:00 BST
England plays Spain in a mouth-watering match from London as Tottenham Hotspur entertain Villarreal. The locals have started life well under new manager Thomas Frank, scoring two goals against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup, three at this venue when Burnley came calling, and another couple at the Etihad Stadium.
Villarreal snuck into the Champions League with a fifth-place finish in La Liga last term. They caused an upset when booking a place at Europe's top table, but will Villarreal prove out of their depth when rubbing shoulders with the big boys? I believe so, and am happy to oppose here.
Tottenham are growing in confidence under Frank, enjoy the home advantage, and offer plenty in attack. Backed by a huge support at the stadium and feeding off an incredible atmosphere, I'm picking Spurs to put on a show, making headlines with a comfortable home win.
Tip: Tottenham win @ 8/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Tottenham beats Villarreal, your bet wins.
Ajax vs Inter Milan, Wednesday, 20:00 BST
Moving to Wednesday, and what a game we have in Amsterdam. Ajax were runners-up in the Dutch top tier last term, but suffered a mixed bag in the opening weeks of this season. They began with a comfortable two-goal home win over Telstar, but drew with Go Ahead Eagles and Volendam. John Heitinga's side are stronger at home, but face a huge step up in class.
Inter Milan travel to the Netherlands as another team that's been less than convincing so far. They began their quest for Serie A domination with an eye-catching 5-0 home win over Torino. Milan then suffered their first defeat of the campaign, slipping to a 2-1 home loss against Udinese. After visiting Juventus at the weekend, I expect a few tired legs in the away camp.
A match involving two big-name clubs yet to find their feet this season, lacking match-sharpness, confidence, and momentum. That encourages me to sit on the fence and back the draw. If this match follows the form, a level finish looks value.
Bet explanation: The scoreline isn't important here. All you need is the match to end in a draw.
PSG vs Atalanta, Wednesday, 20:00 BST
The current rulers of European football begin their defence with a home match against Italy's Atalanta. The Parisians take heart from a narrow win over Tottenham to claim the Super Cup, and followed that with success against Nantes in Ligue 1. PSG won their first two games by a 1-0 scoreline, and would gladly accept more of the same at this early stage.
Atalanta's start to Serie A doesn't inspire confidence among bettors. The visitors drew 1-1 with Pisa on matchday one and added a second two-goal draw when taking a point from Parma on the road. That's not ideal preparation for a trip to the European champions and Club World Cup runners-up.
PSG play at home, and many bookmakers expect them to open with a solid win. I agree with the traders, picking the all-out attack of Luis Enrique's team to smother Ivan Juric's visitors.
Tip: PSG -1 handicap @ 20/21 (bet365)
Bet explanation: PSG must beat Atalanta by at least two goals.
Newcastle vs Barcelona, Thursday, 20:00 BST
Good things come to those who wait, as Champions League football is back at St James' Park. The Magpies prepare for a glamour tie with the Spanish La Liga favourites, Barcelona. Will the locals cause a huge upset by securing all three points? Their army of fans hope so.
The head-to-head stats show that Barca have beaten Newcastle three times out of four attempts, with the Brits securing the win on the other occasion. The most recent meeting came in 2003 in this competition and at this venue, with Barcelona winning 2-0. The scene is set for a tantalising renewal before a global audience.
There's no doubt Barcelona is the better team here, and if they play to the best of their abilities, they'll get the points. But Newcastle are no pushovers on their patch, as shown when pushing EPL champions Liverpool hard in a five-goal thriller last month. Add both teams to score to your midweek accumulators and hope these teams deliver a spectacle.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Newcastle and Barcelona must score at least one goal each.
Man City vs Napoli, Thursday, 20:00 BST
The Etihad Stadium provides the backdrop as Manchester City host Napoli. Pep Guardiola's side are former winners of this trophy, and fans would love to see the team silence their critics by going all the way once again. The home team is littered with quality and big-match experience, but City face mounting off-field problems.
Napoli jet into the United Kingdom looking to pile more misery on their hosts. Napoli and its fans believe there has never been a better time to face Man City, but will they catch their opponents cold on matchday one? There's every chance.
Thursday's game involves two attacking teams who play without fear. The head-to-head stats at Flashscore show City and Napoli have crossed paths four times previously. A bet on both teams to score would've landed you a profit in all four games, and I predict another goal-fest.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 3/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation. Both Man City and Napoli must find the net at least once.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.