Champions League predictions: Group stage matchday 1

That's right, the UEFA Champions League is back and football fans around the world are already struggling to get the iconic anthem out of their heads.

Manchester City are the defending champions in 2023/24 after completing their historic treble with victory in the final over Inter in Istanbul. Pep Guardiola's side are among the favourites again this year, though European giants Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona will hope their summer transfer business can power them to glory this season.

But before anyone starts dreaming of next year's final at Wembley, the group stage must first be navigated. Here are predictions for the first matchday of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.

Three Premier League sides are returning to the Champions League this week after various periods of absence but it's Newcastle who have been given arguably the biggest billing of the English teams.

The Magpies open their first UCL group stage campaign since 2002/03 in the iconic surroundings of San Siro as they take on an AC Milan side that was just battered 5-1 by Inter in the Derby della Madonna. It's one of two games kicking off at 17:45 on Tuesday alongside Youngs Boys vs RB Leipzig.

Paris Saint-Germain continue their perennial quest to win a first Champions League with an enticing encounter with Borussia Dortmund. There was drama of a niggly nature when they met in the last 16 in 2019/20 as PSG completed a comeback and mocked Erling Haaland's meditation celebration.

Kick-off Time (BST)

Fixture

Group

Prediction

17:45

Young Boys vs RB Leipzig

G

0-2

17:45

AC Milan vs Newcastle United

F

1-0

20:00

Paris Saint-Germain vs Borussia Dortmund

F

3-2

20:00

Manchester City vs Crvena Zvezda

G

4-0

20:00

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid

E

1-2

20:00

Feyenoord vs Celtic

E

3-0

20:00

Barcelona vs