{"id":659637,"date":"2025-09-15T23:25:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T03:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=659637"},"modified":"2026-01-30T15:46:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T20:46:36","slug":"uefa-champions-league-matchday-1-predictions-real-madrid-vs-marseille","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2025\/09\/15\/uefa-champions-league-matchday-1-predictions-real-madrid-vs-marseille\/","title":{"rendered":"UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Predictions Including Real Madrid vs Marseille"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League<\/a> begins on Tuesday, and all of the European club football will kick off this week with the first matchday of eight for the initial league stage. Highlighting the Tuesday action are North London sides Tottenham and Arsenal<\/a> playing La Liga opposition, while Italian giants Juventus take on Dortmund, and Real Madrid has an intriguing clash with Ligue 1’s Marseille. Here is your look at all of Tuesday’s action.<\/p>\n

Olympique Marseille at Real Madrid<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the biggest club in world football, every Real Madrid Champions League match is a test of their pedigree. Their fans demand a home victory, while the opponent is looking for a memorable upset. This time, it’s Marseille, a storied French club that have been well behind French champions PSG in recent years, but have returned to the Champions League, who are stepping into the ring to face Real. Last year, the Real Madrid attacking trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe simply did not work<\/a>, Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi are inconsistent, sometimes frustrating, and full of talented but controversial players like Mason Greenwood. Another name to watch for Marseille, the veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is always a competitor on a European night. Benjamin Pavard is also in this makeshift Marseille side.<\/p>\n

Real Madrid will likely start Arda Guler paired with Vini Jr. and Mbappe in the attack, new Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono will be making his debut on European nights in the midfield. Marseille are likely not good enough to compete with Real Madrid. While Real are still trying to organize a Champions League title push, winning at home against Ligue 1’s second or third best side doesn’t look as difficult. Prediction: Real Madrid<\/strong> 3 Marseille 1<\/p>\n

PSV at Union Saint-Gilloise<\/h3>\n

PSV had a successful 2024-25 campaign, winning the Dutch Eredivisie and defeating Juventus in the knockout phase of the Champions League. This is a side with a smaller budget, and realistically, they have punched above their weight in Dutch football for a while now. Taking on Belgian upstarts Union Saint-Gilloise, both clubs have a chance at a valuable three points before they face stiffer competition in later matchdays.<\/p>\n

The champions of Belgium for the first time in their history<\/a>, USG is finally in the Champions League and will be relishing every moment. Ecuadorian striker Kevin Rodriguez is a man to watch for USG, along with Norwegian midfielder Mathias Rasmusen. The Dutch champions will play through veteran Croatian leader Ivan Perisic, with American striker Ricardo Pepi up front. PSV are a sound and disciplined side, at home, they should come away winners to start the campaign. Prediction: PSV<\/strong> 2 USG 0<\/p>\n

Arsenal at Athletic Club Bilbao<\/h3>\n
\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n