AC Milan vs. Newcastle (Tuesday, 5.45pm)
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Dining at Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle United's 2023-24 Champions League baptism sees the Magpies meet seven-time winners AC Milan at San Siro in Tuesday's Group F battle.
While the Magpies snapped a three-game losing run to defeat Brentford in their most recent Premier League affair, the Rossoneri were humiliated by old foes Inter Milan.
We say: AC Milan 2-1 Newcastle United
Milan may have only scraped into the group stage of the Champions League owing to Juventus' 10-point deduction, but the Rossoneri are our slight favourites to open their European campaign with a maximum and spoil Newcastle's San Siro party.
Blessed with much more continental nous than their English foes, Pioli's side - who will welcome Tomori back to the first XI with open arms - ought to find their way past a Newcastle backline susceptible to defensive mishaps, although Howe's men should still give a good account of themselves in Milan.
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> How Newcastle could line up against AC Milan
> How AC Milan could line up against Newcastle
Young Boys vs. RB Leipzig (Tuesday, 5.45pm)
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The Champions League group stage begins on Tuesday, with Young Boys welcoming RB Leipzig to Stadion Wankdorf in the Group G encounter.
The Swiss champions defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-0 on aggregate in the playoff round, while the visitors made it into this year's competition via a third-place finish in last season's Bundesliga.
We say: Young Boys 1-3 RB Leipzig
Young Boys may have claimed stunning victories over Juventus (2018-19) and Manchester United (2021-22) in previous years, but Leipzig's form and firepower should be pivotal to the Bundesliga outfit running out victors on Tuesday.
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Feyenoord vs. Celtic (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Dutch champions Feyenoord host Scottish Premiership winners Celtic on Tuesday evening, as both teams kick off their Champions League campaign at De Kuip.
With Group E also featuring Atletico Madrid and Lazio, neither side can afford to drop points on the opening day, on which the home side make their return to Europe's top club competition after six years away.
We say: Feyenoord 2-1 Celtic
The absence of top marksman Santiago Gimenez could disrupt Feyenoord's impressive rhythm, so the Dutch champions may not be at their potent best this week. Nonetheless, the hosts have more than enough firepower to find a way past Celtic, who have not looked convincing so far this season.
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Lazio vs. Atletico (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Kicking off Champions League Group E with a high-profile clash in Rome, Lazio and Atletico Madrid meet at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening.
While the hosts are back among Europe's elite for the first time since 2021, Atleti are mainstays in the continent's top club competition - but they were eliminated in the group stage last season.
We say: Lazio 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Both teams have suffered tough defeats following the international period, so confidence will not be sky-high in either camp. Lazio's sluggish start to the new season has come as something of a surprise, but their defensive instability could see Atletico sneak a valuable first-day away win.
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PSG vs. Dortmund (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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The bright lights of the Parc des Princes will shine down on one of Tuesday's headline Champions League openers, as Paris Saint-Germain welcome German giants Borussia Dortmund to the French capital in Group F.
The two continental behemoths were drawn against one another in this year's group of death, where Newcastle United and seven-time winners AC Milan are also vying for the top two spots.
We say: Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
The Parc des Princes may have lost its fear factor in 2023, but PSG have still managed at least two goals in each of their last three contests, and a fired-up Mbappe can always be relied on to terrorise opposing defences.
The anticipated returns of Ugarte and Marquinhos will also add a layer of steel to the Parisiens' XI, but Dortmund's in-form attackers should still have a glint in their eyes and can claim a point for their side in what promises to be a captivating clash.
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Man City vs. Red Star (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Champions League holders Manchester City begin the defence of their continental crown when they welcome Red Star Belgrade to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola's troops defeated West Ham United 3-1 on Saturday to maintain their 100% league start to the season, while Red Star were beaten 2-1 by Cukaricki in the Serbian SuperLiga.
We say: Manchester City 4-0 Red Star Belgrade
It is hard to see anything other than a straightforward victory for Guardiola's men at the Etihad as they seek to start their Champions League defence with maximum points.
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> How Man City could line up against Red Star
> Man City injury, suspension list vs. Red Star Belgrade
Barcelona vs. Antwerp (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Barcelona will be looking to make a winning start to their Champions League Group H campaign when they welcome Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp to Camp Nou on Tuesday night.
The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 5-0 victory over Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday, while Antwerp recorded a 3-0 win over Westerlo in Belgium's top flight on Friday.
We say: Barcelona 3-0 Royal Antwerp
Barcelona were excellent on Saturday, and it is very difficult to imagine Antwerp picking up a positive result in this match. Whether the Belgian side are able to make an impression in the group will not depend on Tuesday's game, which is their hardest in the section on paper, and we are expecting them to lose comfortably here.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Barcelona could line up against Royal Antwerp
> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Royal Antwerp
Shakhtar vs. Porto (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Both Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2023-24 Champions League group-stage campaigns when they lock horns in Hamburg on Tuesday night.
Both teams are top of their domestic divisions this season, with Shakhtar leading the Ukrainian top flight on 17 points, while Porto sit at the head of the Primeira Liga table on 13 points.
We say: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Porto
This is a really difficult match to call, especially as both sides have been in strong form this season. A draw would not be the worst result in the world for either team, and we are backing the points to be shared in Tuesday's Group H clash.
