The Champions League returns, presenting one of the most formidable tasks of the year: predicting the outcomes of every league phase match-up, amounting to 144 fixtures of intense soccer action. Here’s a preview of the initial matches before the excitement kicks off on Tuesday.

Matchweek 1 Predictions

• Athletic Club 1, Arsenal 2
• PSV Eindhoven 1, Union St. Gilloise 2
• Real Madrid 3, Marseille 0
• Juventus 2, Borussia Dortmund 1
• Benfica 4, Qarabag 0
• Tottenham 2, Villarreal 2
• Slavia Prague 1, Bodo/Glimt 0
• Olympiacos 3, Pafos 1
• Bayern Munich 2, Chelsea 1
• Ajax 1, Inter 2
• Liverpool 2, Atletico Madrid 0
• Paris Saint-Germain 3, Atalanta 1
• Copenhagen 1, Bayer Leverkusen 0
• Club Brugge 0, Monaco 0
• Newcastle 1, Barcelona 3
• Manchester City 2, Napoli 0
• Eintracht Frankfurt 1, Galatasaray 0
• Sporting 2, Kairat 0

The opening round primarily sees favored teams securing victories, notably Liverpool’s convincing 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid. The results raise questions regarding Diego Simeone’s side’s potential struggles moving forward.