A new season of the UEFA Champions League has officially begun, with Matchday 1 promising an entertaining start to what is hopefully an exciting season ahead. Arsenal handled their match easily, Real Madrid pulled off a comeback against Marseille, and two lesser teams secured their first Champions League wins. Notably, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus had a thrilling 4-4 draw after an explosive second half.

Matchday 1 unfolds over three days, showcasing the top European teams as they embark on the journey towards the May 30 final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena. This week’s pinnacle matchup features Chelsea visiting Bayern Munich, marking the Blues’ return to the tournament after a two-year hiatus and setting the stage for a duel between English stars Cole Palmer and Harry Kane.

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This week serves as a barometer for many of Europe’s elite teams, particularly those under new management or implementing new tactics. Xabi Alonso navigated his first Champions League match with Real Madrid introducing some stability but faced scrutiny for leaving out Vinicius Jr. from his lineup. Meanwhile, Liverpool aims to showcase their revamped, aggressive style against Atletico Madrid.

Wednesday

Matchup	Prediction 1	Prediction 2	Prediction 3	Prediction 4	Prediction 5
Olympiacos vs. Pafos	3-1	2-1	2-0	1-1	3-0
Slavia Prague vs. Bodo/Glimt	1-0	1-1	0-1	0-2	1-1
Bayern vs. Chelsea	2-1	2-2	2-1	2-1	2-1
PSG vs. Atalanta	3-1	3-1	3-0	2-0	5-0
Ajax vs. Inter	1-2	1-1	0-2	1-3	0-2
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid	2-0	2-0	2-1	3-2	3-0

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Game of the Day: Bayern vs. Chelsea

Player to Watch: Michael Olise, Bayern Munich: Having recorded three goals and an assist in his first three Bundesliga matches, Olise is stepping up from a highly regarded prospect to a recognized star, especially after his standout performance against RB Leipzig. It seems fitting that he will seek to shine against Chelsea, a club he departed at 14. – James Benge

Man of the Match: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich: The English striker is unstoppable. He has five goals and three assists in his first three Bundesliga games, as well as two goals in the domestic cup’s opening match and one from the German Supercup, totaling eight goals in five outings this season. Expect to see him on the scoresheet during the Champions League clash with Chelsea. – Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Bayern Munich 2, Chelsea 1: Chelsea displays potential, evident from their recent UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup victories, yet inconsistency has often characterized coach Enzo Maresca’s tenure. There has been some lackluster attacking performance this season, with more work needed even when they earn points. The return of Cole Palmer from injury may boost their offense, but expect Bayern Munich to show better composure and possibly prevail thanks to their star, Harry Kane. – Pardeep Cattry

Best Bet: Bayern Munich to win and both teams to score (+168): Chelsea has bolstered their squad but they will face a formidable challenge from Bayern’s attack, led by Kane and Olise. Expect both teams to score despite Bayern’s final victory at home. – Charles Booth