The 2024/25 Champions League has had a real shake up, with 36 teams now in the competition and each side having to negotiate 8 games to progress to the knockout rounds.
Whilst the format change has made big waves, the key players in the hunt to win the Champions League very much remain the same and Real Madrid will be looking to defend a trophy they have made very much theirs in recent times.
Other recent winners such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool will all be in the hunt for European glory once more and with domestic leagues across the continent finding their feet this season, the Champions League looks set to blow things open once again.
Here are our picks for the first round of fixtures in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, and you can join the action with the best Australian betting sites!
Best New Betting Sites
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Best Betting Sites
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Champions League Matchday 1 Predictions
—
Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven
Juventus ($1.80)
PSV Eindhoven ($4.60)
Draw ($4.10)
This should be an absolute whopper in Turin, between a Juventus side that are hoping to make a splash in the Champions League and a PSV Eindhoven team that very rarely get beat. PSV will give this a good go, but Juve are good at home, and they should prevail here.
Betting tip: Juventus to win the match ($1.80)
Juventus to win 2-1
Young Boys vs Aston Villa
Young Boys ($5.00)
Aston Villa ($1.70)
Draw ($4.35)
Aston Villa make a return to Champions League action with a tricky looking trip to Switzerland to take on Young Boys. Villa impressed hugely in the Premier League, but the Champions League is often a step up and this is a stern test to open up, but Unai Emery’s side should come through it.
Betting tip: Aston Villa to win the match ($1.70)
Aston Villa to win 2-1
AC Milan vs Liverpool
AC Milan ($4.00)
Liverpool ($1.95)
Draw ($3.90)
Two European greats clash at the San Siro, as AC Milan take on Liverpool. Milan have huffed and puffed in the Champions League in recent seasons, but they can always raise their game when they need to. However, Liverpool have started the Premier League season well and they should come out on top here.
Betting tip: Liverpool to win the match ($1.95)
Liverpool to win 2-0
Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb
Bayern Munich ($1.17)
Dinamo Zagreb ($19.00)
Draw ($6.50)
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich will be chasing a fast start in the Champions League as they kick off their campaign against Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatia champions have pulled off some shock results in the Champions League in recent seasons, but Bayern should win comfortably here.
Betting tip: Bayern Munich to win the match ($1.17)
Bayern Munich to win 4-1
Real Madrid vs Stuttgart
Real Madrid ($1.30)
Stuttgart ($10.50)
Draw ($6.50)
Defending champions Real Madrid take on Stuttgart in an intriguing UCL opener. Madrid have been too good for the competition in two of the last 3 Champions League seasons and whilst Stuttgart will give it a good go, Carlo Ancelotti’s side should get off to a winning start here.
Betting tip: Real Madrid to win the match ($1.30)
Real Madrid to win 3-1
Sporting Lisbon vs Lille
Sporting Lisbon ($1.73)
Lille ($5.25)
Draw ($3.90)
Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon welcome Lille to town, in what should be a very closely fought tie. Sporting have become a very solid Champions League team in recent years and start as favourites here, but Lille are tough to beat, and this could end up being a draw.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.90)
1-1 Draw
Bologna vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Bologna ($1.91)
Shakhtar Donetsk ($4.50)
Draw ($3.70)
Bologna make a return to Champions League action here, as they take on Shakhtar Donetsk. Whilst there has been much chopping and changing in the Italian squad since last season, they should be ready to make an impact here and should just about overcome the experienced Ukrainians.
Betting tip: Bologna to win the match ($1.91)
Bologna to win 2-1
Sparta Prague vs RB Salzburg
Sparta Prague ($2.50)
RB Salzburg ($2.88)
Draw ($3.65)
Two sides hoping to squeeze through to the knockout rounds meet here, as Sparta Prague take on RB Salzburg. The Czech giants are ready to rock once again back in the Champions League, but Salzburg are a very accomplished side, and this could end up being a draw.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.65)
1-1 Draw
Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava
Celtic ($1.40)
Slovan Bratislava ($9.00)
Draw ($5.25)
Scottish giants Celtic will be looking to make a bit of a splash in the Champions League, and they start against Slovan Bratislava. The Slovakians do look to be a little overpriced here and they could end up pinching a draw at a raucous Celtic Park.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($5.25)
1-1 Draw
Club Brugge vs Borussia Dortmund
Club Brugge ($3.60)
Borussia Dortmund ($2.10)
Draw ($3.80)
2024 finalists Borussia Dortmund will be looking to go one better this year and they open against Club Brugge. The Belgians have developed well in this competition over the past few years, but Dortmund are a good side, and they should nick all three points here.
Betting tip: Borussia Dortmund to win the match ($2.10)
Borussia Dortmund to win 2-1
Manchester City vs Inter Milan
Manchester City ($1.55)
Inter Milan ($6.00)
Draw ($4.60)
A repeat of the 2023 Champions League final kicks off proceedings for Manchester City and Inter Milan this season, as they clash at the Etihad. City are still finding their feet this season and they will see this as one of their toughest assignments, making a draw likely.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($4.60)
1-1 Draw
PSG vs Girona
PSG ($1.44)
Girona ($7.50)
Draw ($5.25)
Spanish underdogs Girona make their Champions League bow at Paris Saint Germain, in what looks to be a tall order for Michel’s side. PSG are still awaiting their first Champions League title, and they should get off to a winning start here against Girona.
Betting tip: PSG to win the match ($1.44)
PSG to win 2-0
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica
Crvena Zvezda ($4.10)
Benfica ($1.91)
Draw ($3.80)
Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda will be chasing an opening day UCL win, as they take on Benfica. The Portuguese giants have been knocking on the door in Champions League football and they will be hoping to pick up a win here to get their campaign off to a fast start.
Betting tip: Benfica to win the match ($1.91)
Benfica to win 2-1
Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord ($4.20)
Bayer Leverkusen ($1.91)
Draw ($4.00)
German champions Bayer Leverkusen will be chasing Champions League glory this season and they open at Feyenoord. This should be an excellent game in Rotterdam, played in front of a fierce atmosphere and Leverkusen should manage to get over the line.
Betting tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win the match ($1.91)
Bayer Leverkusen to win 2-1
Atalanta vs Arsenal
Atalanta ($4.10)
Arsenal ($1.95)
Draw ($3.95)
Europa League winners Atalanta will be looking to test themselves against Arsenal here, in what should be a very good game in Bergamo. Calling this one is tough, as the Italians are so good in Europe, and this could end up being an entertaining draw in Lombardy.
Betting tip: The match to finish as a draw ($3.95)
1-1 Draw
Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig
Atletico Madrid ($1.87)
RB Leipzig ($4.20)
Draw ($4.00)
The Champions League is where Atletico Madrid are hoping to make their mark this season and they have a good chance to get off to a fast start against RB Leipzig. The Germans are always tough to beat but Atletico are good at home, and they will be aiming for three points here.
Betting tip: Atletico Madrid to win the match ($1.87)
Atletico Madrid to win 2-1
Brest vs Sturm Graz
Brest ($1.91)
Sturm Graz ($4.60)
Draw ($3.80)
French side Brest are breaking new ground in reaching the Champions League and they open against Austrian champions Sturm Graz. Calling this one is tough as there looks to be nothing between them on paper but home advantage could prove telling for Brest.
Betting tip: Brest to win the match ($1.91)
Brest to win 2-0
Monaco vs Barcelona
Monaco ($4.33)
Barcelona ($1.83)
Draw ($4.10)
Barcelona know they will be in for a tough opener, as they travel to Monaco. Both sides will be eager to kick on from this fixture and chase the knockout rounds, but Barcelona perhaps have the better squad and should prevail from this tricky first tie.
Betting tip: Barcelona to win the match ($1.83)
Barcelona to win 3-1
Champions League Match Day 1 multi bet
—
We’re backing four results this week as a multi with a betting stake of $50:
Monaco vs Barcelona – Barcelona
Real Madrid vs Stuttgart – Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig – Atletico Madrid
PSG vs Girona – PSG
A $50 wager would pay out $419.22 if successful – at the current odds.
[the_ad_group id=”2000243″]