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Our Champions League predictions cover selected games from the 2026-27 league phase, and each one names our pick for the game. The four published so far, all for games on 8 September, were written by Mario Vega, and each went up three days before its game date.
One matchday of the league phase has been played. Paris Saint-Germain, who won the final in May, sit first, and matchday 2 is on 13 and 14 October.
Latest Champions League predictions
Newest first. All four pages have since been updated as recaps.
- Internazionale at Real Madrid, 8 September 2026
- Real Betis at Lille, 8 September 2026
- Villarreal at Borussia Dortmund, 8 September 2026
- Aston Villa at Club Brugge, 8 September 2026
Champions League right now
The league phase has 36 clubs in one table. On ESPN’s standings, places 1 to 8 go straight to the round of 16, places 9 to 24 go to the knockout playoffs, and 25 to 36 are out. Matchday 1 ran from 8 to 10 September: 18 games and 69 goals, with Paris Saint-Germain’s 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava the highest-scoring of them.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Barcelona | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Como | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Sporting CP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | VfB Stuttgart | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | Manchester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
The top eight, ESPN standings, read 23 September 2026.
Matchday 2 has 18 games (ESPN schedule, read 23 September 2026):
- 13 October: Sporting CP at Lens, Slavia Prague at Sabah FK, Lille at Arsenal, Manchester United at Atlético Madrid, Barcelona at Galatasaray, Club Brugge at Internazionale, PSV Eindhoven at RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich at Viking FK, Napoli at Villarreal
- 14 October: Como at Feyenoord Rotterdam, Liverpool at LASK Linz, Real Madrid at AS Roma, Fenerbahce at Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund at Bodo/Glimt, Paris Saint-Germain at Manchester City, FC Porto at Real Betis, AEK Athens at Shakhtar Donetsk, VfB Stuttgart at Slovan Bratislava
ESPN’s calendar runs the league phase to 27 January 2027.
Last season
Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal drew 1-1 in the 2025-26 final at the Puskás Aréna on 30 May 2026. Paris Saint-Germain won the shootout 4-3.
Both finalists won their first game of the new league phase: Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 against Slovan Bratislava, and Arsenal 1-0 at Napoli.
How Champions League betting works here
The three-way moneyline is home win, draw or away win, settled on the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, so a bet on either club loses when the game is level. Two of the 18 games on matchday 1 were draws, both 1-1.
The Asian handicap takes the draw away. At -1.5 the favorite must win by two or more; at -1 a one-goal win refunds your stake. The total is the number of goals both clubs score: over 2.5 needs three or more, and matchday 1 averaged 3.8 a game.
The knockout rounds, which ESPN’s calendar starts on 15 February 2027, add a second question. A “to qualify” bet is on which club goes through the tie, counting extra time and penalties. A 90-minute bet on the same game settles on the score at full time only, so it can lose while your club goes through.
Champions League clubs with a team page
By domestic league, with its prediction hub where we have one:
- Premier League: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United
- La Liga: Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis, Real Madrid, Villarreal
- Serie A: AS Roma, Como, Internazionale, Napoli
- Bundesliga: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfB Stuttgart
- Ligue 1: Lens, Lille, Paris Saint-Germain
- Belgian Pro League: Club Brugge
The soccer predictions hub leads to the rest of our soccer coverage, including the Europa League. If you are choosing a paid picks service, read our handicapper site reviews first.
Champions League prediction FAQ
Do you publish a prediction for every Champions League game? No. We publish predictions for selected games; four from matchday 1 are up.
When is the next Champions League matchday? Matchday 2 is on 13 and 14 October 2026, with 18 games. Matchday 3 follows on 20 and 21 October.
How many clubs reach the round of 16 from the league phase? Eight go straight through, according to ESPN’s standings. The clubs placed 9 to 24 go into the knockout playoffs first.
Does a “to qualify” bet include extra time? Yes. It settles on which club goes through, however the tie is decided. A three-way moneyline bet on the same game settles on 90 minutes.
