Glory Awaits: Your UCL Matchday 1 Preview

 

Athletic Club vs Arsenal

 

This is a fascinating clash as two teams with strong domestic form square off against each other. Arsenal, fresh off a semi-final run last season, will face a motivated Athletic Club side making its return to the competition after a decade.

Head-to-Head: This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs. Their only recent encounter was a pre-season friendly, where Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.¹ However, this is a different game entirely, with a place in the league stage at stake.

 

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• Athletic Club: Expect Ernesto Valverde’s side to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.² They are known for their fast-paced, pressing style and will look to be direct and incisive in attack, especially down the flanks. With key players like Nico Williams (adductor injury) and Yeray Alvarez (ban) out, their defense will be tested.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Jauregizar; Iñaki Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Sannadi.³

     

• Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s side is likely to deploy their familiar 4-3-3.⁴ They’ll aim to dominate possession and play through the thirds. With injuries to several key players, including Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, the squad depth will be put to the test. New signings like Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke will be crucial for their attacking threat.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli.

Score Prediction: This is a tight one. Arsenal’s attacking power, despite injuries, remains formidable, but Athletic Club’s home advantage and defensive solidity will make it a challenging match. We predict a narrow victory for the Gunners in what could be a cagey affair.

• Athletic Club 1-2 Arsenal

 

PSV vs Union Saint-Gilloise

 

PSV, a regular on the European stage, will host UCL debutants Union Saint-Gilloise.⁵ The Dutch side is known for its attacking flair, while the Belgian champions have been a dominant force domestically.

 

Head-to-Head: The two teams have not met in a competitive setting before.

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• PSV: Peter Bosz’s teams are known for their relentless attacking philosophy.⁶ They’ve been scoring goals for fun in their domestic league and will look to take the game to USG. The concern for PSV lies in their defense, which has looked vulnerable at times. They’ll likely line up in a 4-2-3-1.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kovar; Sildillia, Flamingo, Gasiorowski, Dest; Schouten, Veerman; Man, Til, Van Bommel; Perišić.
• Union Saint-Gilloise: USG has been a well-rounded force in Belgium, with a strong offensive and defensive record.⁷ They will likely adopt a 3-4-3 formation to counter PSV’s attacking threat and capitalize on any defensive lapses.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (3-4-3): Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Rasmussen, Zorgane, Niang, Khalaili; Rodriguez, Ait El Hadj, Florucz.

Score Prediction: This match promises goals. PSV’s attacking prowess, combined with their defensive vulnerabilities, points to a high-scoring game. Union Saint-Gilloise will also be eager to make its mark on the biggest stage.

• PSV 3-2 Union Saint-Gilloise

 

Benfica vs Qarabağ

 

Benfica, with its rich European history, will be expected to get its campaign off to a winning start against Qarabağ.

Head-to-Head: This is the first-ever meeting between Benfica and Qarabağ.

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• Benfica: Unbeaten in their last nine competitive games, Benfica’s success is built on a solid defensive foundation.⁸ Expect them to control possession and patiently break down the Azerbaijani side. They will likely set up in a 4-4-2.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Rios, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Ivanović, Pavlidis.
• Qarabağ: Qarabağ has shown they can be dangerous, especially on the counter-attack, as seen in their qualifying run. They will need to be defensively disciplined and take their chances when they get them. A 4-2-3-1 is their likely formation.
  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarguliyev; Bicalho, Janković; Andrade, Kady, Zoubir; Akhundzade.

Score Prediction: Benfica’s experience and home advantage should be the deciding factors. While Qarabağ will put up a fight, Benfica’s solid defense is likely to keep them at bay.

• Benfica 2-0 Qarabağ

 

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

 

A classic European clash! Both sides come into this match in good domestic form, setting the stage for a compelling encounter in Turin.

Head-to-Head: This is a rivalry steeped in history, with memorable matches including the 1997 Champions League final. While their competitive history is in favor of Juventus, the last competitive match was a Juventus win in 2015.

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• Juventus: The Bianconeri showed their attacking prowess with a comeback win over Inter Milan.⁹ They’ll look to dominate possession and exploit any weaknesses in the Dortmund defense. Their backline, however, has shown some vulnerabilities. They are expected to play with a three-man defense in a 3-5-2.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Danilo, Locatelli, Thuram, Rabiot, Cambiaso; David, Yildiz.
• Borussia Dortmund: Dortmund will rely on quick attacks and the speed of their wingers. High-pressing football is their style, and they will look to win the ball back high up the pitch. The form of their star striker, Serhou Guirassy, will be key. They are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1.
  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Süle, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Nmecha; Sancho, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Guirassy.

Score Prediction: This has all the makings of an end-to-end game with goals. Juventus’ attacking flair against Dortmund’s counter-attacking threat. A draw seems a likely outcome.

• Juventus 2-2 Borussia Dortmund

 

Real Madrid vs Olympique Marseille

 

The 15-time champions begin their quest for number 16 against a familiar foe in Olympique Marseille.

Head-to-Head: Real Madrid has an impeccable record against Olympique Marseille, winning all four of their previous competitive encounters.

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• Real Madrid: With Kylian Mbappé on fire and key players like Jude Bellingham returning from injury, Real Madrid’s attack is a force to be reckoned with.¹⁰ They will aim to dominate possession and exploit the flanks with their pacy attackers. Expect a 4-3-3 formation.

   

  • Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Kroos, Valverde; Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo.
• Olympique Marseille: Under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille is a confident side, bolstered by new signings and a recent 4-0 league victory. They will look to defend in a compact shape and hit Real Madrid on the counter-attack, with the pace of their forward line. A 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 is likely.
  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Rulli; Clauss, Pavard, Aguerd, Medina; Kondogbia, Veretout; Greenwood, Murillo, Aubameyang; Harit.

Score Prediction: Real Madrid is the heavy favorite. Their quality and home advantage should prove too much for Marseille. While the French side will try to make it difficult, a clean sheet for the hosts is a strong possibility.

• Real Madrid 3-1 Olympique Marseille

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal

 

Tottenham, fresh off a Europa League triumph last season, returns to the UCL to face a Villarreal side with a mixed start to their domestic season.¹¹

 

Head-to-Head: Villarreal has a historically poor record against English clubs in the Champions League, with no wins in 14 attempts.¹² Tottenham, however, has a less-than-stellar record against Spanish teams.¹³

 

Tactics & Possible Lineups:

• Tottenham Hotspur: Under new management, Spurs have been enjoying a strong start to the season. They are expected to dominate possession and press high, with goals coming from multiple players. Injuries and ineligibility will test their squad depth. A 4-2-3-1 is the expected formation.
  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Højbjerg; Simons, Kulusevski, Son; Richarlison.
• Villarreal: The Yellow Submarine will be looking to get its season on track. With key players out with injuries, their attack will rely on the likes of Nicolas Pépé. They will likely sit deep and look to hit the Spurs on the counter. A 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 is likely.
  • Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Reina; Foyth, Albiol, Mandi, Pedraza; Coquelin, Parejo; Chukwueze, Moreno, Pino; Pépé.

Score Prediction: Tottenham’s home form and recent momentum should give them the edge. They are a potent attacking side, and while Villarreal will be a tricky opponent, Spurs’ quality should shine through.

• Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Villarreal