The UEFA Champions League returns in full force on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 with six fixtures that span debutant dreamers and serial winners. Olympiacos welcome first-timers Pafos FC, Slavia Prague break new ground against Bodø/Glimt, Ajax rekindle European memories with Inter, Bayern duel Chelsea in Munich, Liverpool host Atlético in a modern classic, and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain start their title defence versus Atalanta.
For matched bettors, the midweek schedule is ripe with bookmaker boosts and bet-builder offers. Use AI Profit’s Oddsmatcher to compare prices across exchanges, lean on the matched betting calculator to fine-tune qualifying stakes, and keep an eye on our Boost Matcher for flash enhancements tied to the biggest fixtures.
| Kick-off (CET) | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 18:45 | Olympiacos vs Pafos FC | Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus |
| 18:45 | Slavia Prague vs Bodø/Glimt | Fortuna Arena, Prague |
| 21:00 | AFC Ajax vs Inter Milan | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam |
| 21:00 | Bayern Munich vs Chelsea | Allianz Arena, Munich |
| 21:00 | Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid | Anfield, Liverpool |
| 21:00 | Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta BC | Parc des Princes, Paris |
Kick-off: 18:45 CET | Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
Olympiacos return to the Champions League proper for the first time since 2021 and face Pafos FC, the Cypriot champions making their group-stage debut. The Greek giants have won 19 of their 26 competitive meetings with Cypriot clubs, but this is the first-ever clash between the sides—an enticing “David vs Goliath” story to start the evening.
Taremi’s movement and finishing give Olympiacos a clinical edge, while Podence’s return on loan adds direct dribbling from the flanks. Veteran centre-back David Luiz and winger Mislav Oršić supply European know-how for Pafos, with Brazilian forward Jaja providing the cutting edge after his qualifying heroics.
Prediction: Olympiacos 2-0 Pafos FC. The hosts’ experience and defensive resolve should be enough to tame fearless debutants.
Matched betting angle: this could be an ideal match to select in the Freeze Matcher
Kick-off: 18:45 CET | Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague
This fixture marks the first time a Czech and Norwegian club have met in the Champions League league phase. Slavia Prague return to the group stage for the first time since 2019-20, while Bodø/Glimt finally graduate after years of near misses and Europa League heroics.
Slavia’s midfield trio of Lukáš Provod, Christos Zafeiris, and Petr Ševčík dictate tempo and supply young forward Lukáš Vorlický. For Bodø/Glimt, winger Hauge reprises his European stage, while playmaker Hugo Vetlesen and forward Runar Espejord must find end product without their talismanic No.9.
Prediction: Slavia Prague 1-1 Bodø/Glimt. Slavia’s home strength may be countered by Bodø’s fearless attacking style, producing an entertaining stalemate.
Value play: consider a draw or both teams to score. Use the Oddsmatcher to compare BTTS prices before the market adjusts to the injury news.
Kick-off: 21:00 CET | Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Ajax and Inter share a storied history that includes the 1972 European Cup final. The Nerazzurri have not lost to Ajax since that night, and their last competitive meetings came in 2006-07. Both clubs start a new era: Ajax under John Heitinga and Inter under Cristian Chivu.
Ajax rely on the hot hand of Wout Weghorst (three Eredivisie goals) and teenager Mika Godts, who netted a brace in their last outing. Kenneth Taylor’s late runs from midfield add another goal threat. Inter look to captain Lautaro Martínez and strike partner Marcus Thuram for firepower, while Nicolò Barella and Davide Frattesi battle to control midfield. Manuel Akanji’s arrival should steady a defence that has looked leaky domestically.
Prediction: Ajax 2-2 Inter Milan. Expect attacking flair on both sides; goalscoring form suggests a high-tempo draw.
Exchange watch: BTTS and over 2.5 goals markets should be lively. For in‑play value with potential underdog comebacks, select Ajax in the Freeze Matcher; this is a prime scenario to win on both back and lay bets.
Kick-off: 21:00 CET | Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Two-time European champions Chelsea return to the competition after a two-year absence and immediately revisit the site of their 2012 triumph. Bayern, six-time winners, have dominated this rivalry since that famous night and enter under new boss Vincent Kompany with a perfect start to 2025-26.
Harry Kane already looks at home in Bavaria, supported by Leroy Sané and Luis Díaz on the wings. Joshua Kimmich anchors midfield, while Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano marshal the defence with Jamal Musiala sidelined. Chelsea’s young core features Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto, with João Félix or Armando Broja tasked with leading the line. Reece James and Wesley Fofana must withstand relentless pressure on the flanks.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea. The Allianz remains a fortress, and Bayern’s attacking rhythm should overpower an improving but still gelling Chelsea side.
Look for enhanced goal-scorer odds on Kane or Sané. Lock in value by pairing a price boost with the matched betting calculator to balance your lay stake efficiently.
Kick-off: 21:00 CET | Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Few Champions League rivalries have swung so dramatically in recent years. Atlético knocked Liverpool out in 2020, while the Reds swept the 2021 group meetings. Anfield under the lights, with Liverpool now managed by Arne Slot and Atlético still under Diego Simeone, promises another intense chapter.
Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s talisman, while marquee signing Alexander Isak is poised for his debut from the bench. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister set the midfield tempo, and Virgil van Dijk leads a back line that must be alert to Atlético counters. Antoine Griezmann shoulders the visitors’ creative burden with Julián Álvarez, Ángel Correa, and Memphis Depay nursing injuries. Koke, Saúl Ñíguez, and Rodrigo de Paul bring grit in midfield, with Jan Oblak behind a seasoned defence.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Atlético Madrid. Expect a cagey contest decided by a moment of quality, with Liverpool’s late-game resilience once again proving decisive.
If a bookmaker offers a late-goal insurance promo, Liverpool’s knack for dramatic finishes makes it a prime matched betting opportunity. Use our Boost Matcher to surface qualifying odds.
Kick-off: 21:00 CET | Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Reigning champions PSG begin their quest for back-to-back titles. Their emphatic 5-0 win over Inter in last season’s final set a new benchmark, and they open against an Atalanta side still adapting to life after Gian Piero Gasperini. The Italians will hope to avenge their dramatic 2020 quarter-final defeat to PSG.
With Kylian Mbappé now in Madrid and both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé sidelined, PSG lean on Bradley Barcola’s pace, Gonçalo Ramos up front, and Marco Asensio’s creativity. Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery partner in midfield, shielded by Marquinhos and Milan Škriniar. Atalanta lack Ademola Lookman and may be without Gianluca Scamacca, so Nikola Krstović partners Charles De Ketelaere, who bagged a brace at the weekend. Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners anchor midfield, while Giorgio Scalvini orchestrates the back line.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Atalanta. The champions should control proceedings, even if the visitors’ adventurous style makes this an entertaining watch.
For free‑bet offers on PSG win to nil, run the numbers through the matched betting calculator for simple back‑and‑lay coverage.
Matchday 1 always throws curveballs, but recent form points to strong starts for Olympiacos, Bayern, Liverpool, and PSG, with the Slavia–Bodø and Ajax–Inter fixtures offering the most intrigue for neutrals. Stay agile with your matched betting strategy: track starting line-ups, react quickly to in-play boosts, and log every offer so you can recycle value throughout the group stage.
Six fixtures headline Matchday 1 on Wednesday 17 September 2025: Olympiacos vs Pafos FC, Slavia Prague vs Bodø/Glimt, Ajax vs Inter Milan, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta.
The heavyweight tie between Bayern and Chelsea starts at 21:00 CET (20:00 UK) at the Allianz Arena.
Ajax vs Inter Milan features two forward-minded teams in strong scoring form, while Bayern vs Chelsea also sets up for a high-scoring contest given Bayern’s four-goal-per-game domestic average.
Monitor bookmaker boosts on big-name matches, compare prices with AI Profit’s Oddsmatcher, and use the matched betting calculator to balance back and lay stakes. Promotions tied to late goals or clean sheets are especially useful for fixtures like Liverpool vs Atlético or Olympiacos vs Pafos.
Explore our Champions League betting guide for tournament-wide strategies, plus team-specific previews such as Arsenal vs PSG and Inter vs Barcelona for additional insights.