Arsenal Kicks Off Champions League Tuesday | OneFootball

It’s back! Champions League returns on Tuesday, September 16 as the group stage kicks off. Hooligan will be providing some thoughts on the upcoming fixtures, a few score predictions and which ones are worth watching.

Must See

UEFA Champions League Today

The CBS pre/post-game is mandatory viewing for U.S. viewers following on Paramount+. The CBS crew is informed yet irreverent, offering some of the choicest insights along with gut-busting comedy.

My predictions:  Micah Richards will be so over-excited he’ll pop a blazer button; Theirry Henry will hide behind his papers no less than five times in the opening show; Jamie Carragher will do his best not to offend anyone, and fail; and hostess Kate Scott will be thinking how her husband could kick all three of these bloke’s arses while she conducts interviews in four different languages.

Athletic Club vs. Arsenal

Kickoff: 12:45 PM ET San Mamés, Bilbao, SpainStreaming on Paramount+

This is a rip-roaring start to the 2025-26 Champions League. Arsenal were semi-finalists last season, and are arguably a stronger side this year due to some smart, yet expensive, summer transfer business. Athletic Club made only two additions to their side for a $14.5M price tag (a mere 4% of Arsenal’s total). Although the Gunners tend to overthink these sorts of matches, I believe it will be a comfortable win for Arteta’s men, even without the injured Martin Ødegaard and Bakayo Saka.

Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund

Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET Allianz Stadium, Torino, ItalyStreaming on Paramount+

Back before UEFA fiddled with the group stage, a match featuring these two would have been a knockout round fixture. With only three games played so far, it’s too early in the Bundesliga or Serie A schedule to tell if either team’s strong start is an anomaly; this game might be a better indicator. All I can say is: this is a marquee matchup that should be worth your eyeballs.

The Other Fixtures

PSV Eindhoven vs. Union St.-Gilloise

Kickoff: 12:45 PM ET Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, NetherlandsStreaming on Paramount+

As Benelux clubs go, PSV Eindhoven are among the biggest. But at least Champions League debutantes Union St.-Gilloise won’t be debuting in some of the tougher venues like Bernabéu or Parc des Princes. Both teams have started their league runs strongly. PSV have 4W, 1L with 17 goals scored. Union St.-Gilloise are undefeated in seven matches (5W, 2D) and should enter Philips Stadion with a swagger befitting the current Belgian champions.

Benfica vs. FK Qarabağ

Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, PortugalStreaming on Paramount+

Though they are perennial fixtures in the qualifying stages of the Champions League, this is only Qarabağ’s second trip to the group stage. Back in 2017-18 they earned two draws (both 0 – 0 to Atlético Madrid) and four losses under the old format. Their objective in this campaign is to win a game; any game. Benfica should be able to dispatch the Azerbaijani club, but should not be complacent.

Real Madrid vs. Marseille

Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, SpainStreaming on Paramount+

There really is no way to sugar coat it: Marseille should get their ass whooped. I recognize that Xavi Alonso might rest some of his stars, but I don’t think it will make much of a difference. Marseille have already dropped two games in Ligue 1; Real Madrid are a perfect 4 – 0. Which is ironic, because that’s what I think the score will be.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal

Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, SpainStreaming on Paramount+

In my heart of hearts I want to rail against Tottenham and write portends of doom about them. But I’m enough of a pragmatist to recognize that Spurs appear to have shaken off most of last year’s demons. Worry not, dear reader, as I am sure “Spursiness” shall reawaken, but it won’t be tonight in their Champions League opener. Villareal are a solid enough side to give them a good reckoning, but that vibrant home crowd should power Spurs to victory.