Red Star vs. Benfica (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Portuguese giants Benfica begin their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a trip to Serbia where they will face Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night.
The two teams meet for the first time in 40 years when Benfica won a thrilling European Cup first-round tie 4-3 on aggregate back in 1984.
We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica
Red Star will be regarded as the underdogs for Thursday's contest, but they cannot be underestimated by Benfica on home soil. Having said that, we still expect the Portuguese outfit to get the job done and pick up maximum points on matchday one.
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Feyenoord vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 5.45pm)
![Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates in the Super Cup final against Stuttgart on August 17, 2024 [on August 21, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/granit-xhaka.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates in the Super Cup final against Stuttgart on August 17, 2024 [on August 21, 2024]")
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Aiming to make a major impact on the Champions League after last season's record-breaking feats, Bayer Leverkusen will meet Feyenoord on Thursday evening.
The German champions convene with last term's Eredivisie runners-up in their league-phase opener, with a typically electric atmosphere expected at De Kuip.
We say: Feyenoord 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Both teams have accrued plenty of recent experience at various levels of UEFA's competition pyramid, so they will be ready to put on an absorbing spectacle on the Champions League's opening matchday.
As Leverkusen have a tactical maestro in the dugout and can call upon far more strength-in-depth from the bench, they will return home with maximum points, leaving Feyenoord empty-handed.
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Atalanta vs. Arsenal (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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After making it all the way to the quarter-finals in last term's comeback campaign, Arsenal return to the Champions League on Thursday, as they meet Atalanta BC in Bergamo.
While the Gunners reached the last eight of Europe's top club competition, La Dea lifted the Europa League trophy in Dublin, toppling unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.
We say: Atalanta BC 1-2 Arsenal
Atalanta's 23 Champions League matches to date have brought an average of 3.6 goals per game, and the hosts' commitment to attacking football can see them come unstuck on some occasions.
Although Arsenal will be hampered by injuries, they are incredibly tough to score against and can take plenty of routes to goal themselves.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Lookman leads La Dea against Gunners: Predicted Atalanta BC lineup vs. Arsenal
> Sterling and Saka to join forces? Predicted Arsenal lineup vs. Atalanta BC
> Odegaard, Saka latest: Arsenal injury list for Atalanta BC clash
Atletico vs. RB Leipzig (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Diego Simeone will begin his 12th Champions League campaign in charge of Atletico Madrid, when they welcome RB Leipzig to the Spanish capital on Thursday.
It has been an excellent start for the two teams in their domestic leagues, with both managers being backed handsomely by their clubs over the summer.
We say: Atletico Madrid 3-1 RB Leipzig
Atletico have not lost at home to a German club in the 21st century, and enter the fixture high on confidence after another big win at the weekend over Valencia.
Both sides are very strong in attack, with Antoine Griezmann and Alvarez facing up against Xavi Simons, Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko, but home advantage and the Simeone effect could give Atletico the edge.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Brest vs. Sturm Graz (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Champions League debutants Brest welcome Sturm Graz to the Stade du Roudourou for their first fixture of the 2024-25 competition on Thursday night.
This contest represents the 11th meeting between a French team and an Austrian team in the European Cup/Champions League and all 10 previous encounters have been won by the home side, with French teams winning by an aggregate score of 16-1.
We say: Brest 2-1 Sturm Graz
Taking into account the fact that Sturm Graz have not played a competitive match for over two weeks and will be lacking match sharpness, it is difficult to back the visitors claiming a positive result against a Brest outfit who will be as motivated as ever to mark their Champions League debut with a victory in front of their own fans.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Monaco vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Two teams that have made unbeaten starts to the season meet at the Stade Louis II in the Champions League on Thursday, when Monaco host Barcelona.
Both clubs finished as runners-up in their respective leagues last season, but have made promising starts in the view of going one better.
We say: Monaco 0-2 Barcelona
While an all-time unwanted home losing record awaits Monaco if they suffer defeat here, the form of Barcelona does look concerning for them despite their injury concerns.
With five wins from five, Flick's Barca have looked imperious, and if Yamal continues his sensational start, another win looks on the cards.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Could Balogun lead the line? Monaco predicted lineup vs. Barcelona
> Olmo setback gives Flick midfield headache: Barcelona predicted XI vs. Monaco
> Gavi, Fati latest: Barcelona injury news for Monaco Champions League clash
