Bologna vs. Shakhtar (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
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Back at Europe's elite level after a six-decade wait, Bologna welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Stadio Dall'Ara on Wednesday, when they get their Champions League campaign under way.
Still winless this season, the Serie A side meet experienced Shakhtar in their first league-phase fixture, with the Ukrainian champions keen to improve their sub-par record in Italy.
We say: Bologna 2-2 Shakhtar Donetsk
While Shakhtar's experience should count in their favour, the Ukrainian champions do not tend to travel well and could come unstuck in Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna's early displays under Vincenzo Italiano have not been convincing, but they can grit their teeth and gain a point before heading to Anfield next month.
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Sparta Prague vs. Salzburg (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
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Sparta Prague welcome Red Bull Salzburg to the Czech capital on matchday one of the new league phase in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Neither side were in league action over the weekend, as floods across Central and Eastern Europe saw numerous top-flight games postponed.
We say: Sparta Prague 2-2 Red Bull Salzburg
In front of what will be a rapturous atmosphere in Prague, a lack of match sharpness should cause no problems despite neither side having played in almost three weeks.
Haraslin will be crucial for the hosts, but Salzburg's conveyor belt of young talent will keep on producing and could treat onlookers to an entertaining game here.
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Celtic vs. Slovan Bratislava (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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The bottom-ranked side from pot three faces the top-ranked club from pot four on matchday one of the Champions League on Wednesday, when Celtic host Slovan Bratislava.
This will be the first meeting between the sides in over six decades, and Celtic will look for a repeat of their two 1-0 wins over Slovan in the Cup Winners' Cup back in the 1960s.
We say: Celtic 2-2 Slovan Bratislava
Both sides have players in offensive areas capable of winning them the game in what could be an open, entertaining encounter.
Celtic have been perfect domestically so far, but their European adventures have often exposed their shortcoming quite brutally, and this will not be an easy match despite their opponent's inexperience at this level.
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Brugge vs. Dortmund (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Runners-up last season, Borussia Dortmund begin their latest quest to reclaim the Champions League trophy on Wednesday, when they visit Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium.
While BVB came agonisingly close to European glory last term, Brugge missed out on qualification and now eagerly anticipate the competition's new-look league phase.
We say: Club Brugge 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund kept the most clean sheets in last season's Champions League (six), but Club Brugge have scored freely this term and have a potent front line with which to test their visitors.
The hosts should score, though Dortmund may still leave Belgium with maximum points, having looked pretty solid since Nuri Sahin took over.
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Man City vs. Inter Milan (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Manchester City kick-start their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with an enticing showdown against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
The two teams butt heads for the first time since the 2023 Champions League final - their only previous European encounter - when Rodri scored the decisive goal in a narrow 1-0 victory in Istanbul to help the Citizens complete a historic treble.
We say: Manchester City 2-1 Inter Milan
A closely-fought contest between two genuine challengers for Champions League glory is set to take place at the Etihad, but Man City's exceptional home form makes them the favourites to come out on top.
The Citizens have been conceding goals in recent weeks which bodes well for Inter, but Guardiola's men have had Haaland to thank for banging in the goals and if his red-hot form in the final third continues on Wednesday, the hosts should ultimately fine a way to prevail.
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> Ake, Savinho latest: Man City injury news and return dates for Inter clash
PSG vs. Girona (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
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Paris Saint-Germain begin their 2024-25 Champions League campaign against tournament debutants Girona at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
While PSG have won sixth Ligue 1 title in the last seven seasons, their Spanish counterparts surprised many by finishing third in La Liga in the previous campaign.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Girona
Four French teams have already tried and failed to get the better of a goal-hungry PSG outfit, who have made a strong start to the new season and will be regarded as firm favourites to claim maximum points on Wednesday.
Both sides enter this contest on the back of contrasting domestic results, and with that in mind - along with the attacking quality that PSG possess - we are backing the hosts to outscore their opponents en route to a comfortable victory.
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Oliver Thomas
