On Wednesday, the cream rose to the top with Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool and PSG all winning to get their league phase season off to the right start.
This first matchweek stretches across three days, Tuesday through Thursday, with six matches apiece as all 36 clubs in the expanded league phase begin their eight-game round robin toward the knockout playoffs. It's a format built for chaos and drama in equal measure, and Matchday 1 sets the tone.
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Game of the day: Manchester United vs. Sabah FK
Man of the match: Bryan Mbuemo, Manchester United: After scoring three goals in the opening games of the season, Mbuemo is now called to make his Champions League debut with Manchester United against Sabah, a must-win game for the Red Devils. He definitely has to deliver a Champions League-level performance and Michael Carrick will count on him alongside Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Sesko in the attacking line. -- Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Manchester United 3, Sabah 0: The jury's still out on Manchester United's overall abilities this season but they will be heavily favored against Azerbaijan's surprise champions, who may be in for a brutal Champions League debut at Old Trafford. Count on the hosts to enjoy a routine return to the Champions League days before the Manchester derby serves as a new stressor. -- Pardeep Cattry
Best bet: Manchester United to score over 1.5 goals in the first half (+118): Look out for lineups because it's hard to know how Manchester United will line up for this one. It's their Champions League return, and it'll take place at Old Trafford, which does give Michael Carrick incentive to start his best attackers, but there is also a Manchester derby looming for the weekend; there may be shifts. No matter what, United will want to start the match off quickly, which is why I feel as if it's better to back their first-half team total over a steep full-game total of 3.5. -- Charles Booth
