Once again, the best clubs from the old continents will clash on the world stage for one of the most coveted trophies, the UEFA Champions League. Again this season, UEFA will use a “league phase” where 36 teams will be playing eight matches against clubs drawn from four seeding pots, each with nine teams. The phase runs from 16 September 2025 to 28 January 2026, with the final set for 30 May 2026 at Puskas Arena in Budapest. Paris Saint-Germain arrives as defending champions.
With Matchday 1 already behind us, the championship is already heating up, and expert betting picks and predictions for UEFA Europa League games are being greatly discussed. We can already catch a glimpse of how each team will look later in the competition.
Here are some of the key clashes to have already taken place, which offer us the best insights into the top clubs' chances this season.
Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
For the first half of the match, the game was tight. Both teams fought for possession of the ball and were pretty equal. However, Arsenal woke up towards the end, scoring two goals: Martinelli in 72’, and Trossard in 87’. Gabriel Martinelli entered as a substitute and scored only 36 seconds after coming on. Leandro Trossard added a second goal, deflecting a shot with help from Martinelli’s assist. Athletic Club tried, but couldn’t find a way through.
In this match, super subs were real. Martinelli and Trossard changed the game. Arsenal showed patience early but pushed harder in the second half. Athletic defended well early, but couldn’t match Arsenal’s finish.
Real Madrid 2-1 Marseille
Real Madrid came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 at the Bernabéu. Timothy Weah opened the field for Marseille with a goal early in the match after a defensive mistake by Madrid. Later, Real Madrid were awarded two penalties, both taken by Kylian Mbappé, one in each half, and he converted them both. The second penalty came very late in the game (87th minute). Madrid also had a red card: Dani Carvajal was sent off late for an altercation with Marseille’s keeper Gerónimo Rulli. Meanwhile, Madrid also lost Trent Alexander-Arnold early through injury.
Madrid showed off why they’re one of the teams to be afraid of at the championship. Down a goal, losing a player, and even playing with 10 men, they kept their belief and found a way to win. Mbappé is becoming more consistent in big moments. The red card to Carvajal and the injury to Alexander Arnold cast some doubt on the defensive line, but the team managed to come through. Marseille, promising at times, but made costly mistakes. The second penalty late in the game changed the result.
Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atalanta
The match looked more like a training session for PSG with absolute dominance on the field, which is the reason why Paris is at the top of the list on every UEFA Europa League Sportsbook. Within the first three minutes, Paris was in the lead with a goal from Marquinhos. Then Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got another. After that, PSG continued to push and added goals from Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos, who came on as substitutes. Atalanta had its chance when PSG missed the penalty at the end of the first half. However, that was a missed chance, and from then on, PSG dominated the game every minute of the play.
PSG lived up to the expectations. They looked like defending champions, which they are, and the victory was on the horizon the whole match. An early goal (by Marquinhos) gave them control. The missed penalty did not slow them significantly. The fact that they could bring on Ramos and still score late shows strength. Atalanta were outmatched, unable to respond. This sends a message that PSG intends to defend hard. However, some injuries are creeping up, with Joao Neves limping off, and some players are already being sidelined.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
By the end of the first half, the result was already clear, indicating who would walk away as the winner. Bayern 2-1 Chelsea. The English made a mistake when Trevoh Chalobah scored an own goal in the 20th minute, giving Bayern a 1-0 lead. Bayern then got a penalty in the 27th minute, which Harry Kane took and scored. Chelsea responded just two minutes later, in the 29th, when Cole Palmer scored.
The second half was much calmer. Kane scored another goal for Bayern, and Chelsea tried to push for another score, but failed. Bayern were sharp early. Getting the lead from their own goal and then doubling up with the penalty set them up. Chelsea answered fast, but Bayern’s second half was more in control.
Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Liverpool, topping the odds at Stake, started strong when Andy Robertson scored the first goal in the fourth minute of the match. It was an announcement of what was about to happen. Mohamed Salah added a second goal at about 6 minutes. Atletico fought back: Marcos Llorente scored just before half-time (in stoppage time of the first half) to make it 2-1. In the second half, Atletico equalised in the 80-81 minute (Llorente again) to make it 2-2. Just when many thought the game would end in a draw, Virgil van Dijk scored a header in stoppage time (about 90+2 mins) from a corner to win it for Liverpool.
Atletico’s coach, Diego Simeone, was sent off in the final moments. Even though Liverpool is clearly the stronger team, Atletico never gave up. They came back twice, but the third goal in extra time broke their spirits. Atletico’s red card for the coach and late errors in the game made the difference in the end.
The Frontrunners
The season has taken off, and some teams are already standing out as the front-runners. Even though there’s a lot left to play, we can see the competition taking form.
Real Madrid
Madrid beat Marseille 2-1 to open their league phase. Their path includes Juventus, Monaco, and a blockbuster January date with Manchester City. The league phase suits their habit of building momentum across months, and historically, they’ve never failed to exit the initial phase. The schedule gives them tests against pressing sides and deep block teams alike, which is perfect for Carlo Ancelotti’s flexible approach. We can expect Madrid to go far beyond the group phase, finishing in the top eight teams.
Manchester City
City began their campaign with a 2-0 home win over Scudetto holders Napoli, in a game full of narrative as club legend Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola also brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma. City’s autumn also features Leverkusen, Dortmund, Monaco, and Galatasaray, plus a late January visit from Real Madrid.
City’s summer business included Donnarumma, James Trafford, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Sverre Nypan; De Bruyne departed, and Ederson moved to Fenerbahce. On paper, they still have the highest passing ceiling in Europe. As far as the title, the hopes are still very much alive.
Paris Saint-Germain
PSG announced their arrival in the championship with a 4-0 win over Atalanta. They’ll face key fixtures in Bayern on Matchday 4 and Spurs on Matchday 5, and close with a high-profile meeting against Newcastle. If they manage to keep the game at the same level of pressure, they’re an automatic top-eight material. As defending champions, anything less than the semi-finals would be below par.
Bayern Munich
Bayern beat Chelsea 3-1 to start and will see Sporting CP, Club Brugge, PSV and PSG across the phase. The tactical identity is familiar: high line, wide overloads, and relentless pressure around the box. Jamal Musiala is the creative engine, backing up the attacker Harry Kane. From the play we’ve seen so far, Bayern should have no problems clearing the group phase and moving deep into the championship.
Liverpool
One of the teams that everyone’s watching this season. Even though PSG won last year, this time around, Liverpool seems to be one of the main contenders for the title. They beat Atletico in their opening fixture to start strongly.
Liverpool will meet Frankfurt, Galatasaray, PSV, Real Madrid, and Qarabag in the coming months. Their stats are impressive, and the team has enough options to switch between a 4-3-3 and a box midfield when the game demands it. The rematch with Madrid in November will say a lot about their chances, but based on energy and set-piece threat alone, they’re genuine contenders.
Barcelona
Barcelona’s slate includes PSG in October and Chelsea in November, with away days at Copenhagen and a late match against Leverkusen. The opening weeks will test the build-up under pressure and the team’s defensive transitions. There’s enough attacking power here to score on anyone, but to reach the final, they need a cleaner defence than last year’s European outings. The schedule is brutal, but it could forge form.
Arsenal
A controlled 2-0 win away at Athletic Club is the right opening note for Arsenal. They will see Olympiacos, Atlético, Slavia Praha, Bayern, Club Brugge, Inter, and Kairat. That mix touches all styles, which helps them prepare for the knockouts. Arsenal’s stats are amazing, with a great percentage of ball possession. However, they consistently fail at bringing in the attack closer to the net. Turning this ball control into more box touches will be crucial for their advancement. The top eight is a fair baseline; higher is still on the table.
Inter Milan
Inter beat Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam and will later host Arsenal, face Kairat, Dortmund, Union SG, and more. Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 remains a problem for Europe because it blends a safe defence structure with quick midfield combinations. They can suffocate games, and they’re nasty from set plays. If they continue converting chances into goals, they could be considered for the top eight. The title, maybe next year, since they are going to be up against much stronger teams.
Juventus
Another Serie A team found its place at the UEFA championships. Juve split eight goals with Dortmund in a 4-4 thriller, which is both encouraging and alarming. The calendar brings Sporting CP, Villarreal, Pafos, Benfica, and a glamour match with Real Madrid. The priority is to keep the defensive box compact while letting the front line attack early. If the midfield protects the back line better than in the opener, they’ll be in the top half in the phase.
Borussia Dortmund
That 4-4 in Turin against Juve shows the volatility we’ve come to expect. The team was thrilling in transition, but vulnerable when stretched. Coming matches include Athletic Club, Copenhagen, Inter, and City. Dortmund’s knockout hopes rest on tightening the first and second press lines, while the attack stays as powerful as it is right now. If they survive autumn, they might strike harder in spring.
Atletico Madrid
A 3-2 loss at Anfield isn’t going to change much, but Atletico’s schedule doesn’t leave much margin. They face Frankfurt, Arsenal, Galatasaray, and Inter, a tough schedule. Efficiency from their forwards could turn the tables. If chance quality stays high, they’ll climb the table. If not, they could sit in the messy middle.
The Dark Horses
Then there are the clubs which won't be favourites to lift the trophy but do stand outside a chance of causing a surprise.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen drew 2-2 away at Copenhagen on opening day and will meet PSG, Club Brugge, and Newcastle later in the league phase. The question is whether they can control games they lead, because this format rewards risk management. On talent and speed alone, they can crack the top twelve in the table.
Newcastle United
Newcastle’s league phase run kicked off with a 2-1 loss at home to Barcelona. They will also face Union SG, Benfica, PSV, Athletic Club, and PSG. The team has grown more comfortable in pressing and attacking from the sides. Their chances depend on away results against stronger teams. If they break the ceiling in the group phase, many can see them going far.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs returned to Europe with the Europa League title in May and arrived here under Thomas Frank. Big summer storylines include Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons stepping into major creative roles. They opened with a 1-0 win over Villarreal. Frank’s Spurs will mix quick central combos and wing overloads. If their injury list clears, they’re a real problem.
Napoli
Napoli’s opener was away to Manchester City. The subplot is Kevin De Bruyne’s switch to Naples was the main talking point, but in the end, the Belgian couldn't affect the game, and his new side lost 2-0 in a routine City win. Napoli’s shape under Conte prioritises a firm back line and rapid wide progressions. This is one of the most intriguing “experiments” of the Autumn.
Chelsea
Chelsea began with a 3-1 away loss to Bayern Munich, and their league phase includes Atalanta, Ajax, Qarabag, Barcelona, Pafos, and more. The opener at Bayern highlighted the flaws in their shape that need to be addressed. The schedule offers enough winnable games to stay in the mix, but consistency is the key.
Benfica
Benfica’s 3-2 home loss to Qarabag on Matchday 1 was the shock of the week, but the calendar immediately offers a reset with Chelsea, Leverkusen, Juventus, and Napoli later. They remain tactically simple and dangerous in transitional moments. If they regain control, the table might look different.
