The Champions League action for Matchday 1 comes to a close on Thursday, September 18, 2025 with six fixtures slated.
Manchester City will open their campaign when they host Italy’s Napoli, whilst Newcastle United will mark their UCL return with a blockbuster clash against Barcelona at St. James’ Park.
Keep reading for all of our free soccer betting tips for every UCL game on Thursday.
Club Brugge vs AS Monaco
Thursday, September 18 – 6:45pm CEST – Jan Breydelstadion, Brugge, Belgium
Monaco arrive in Belgium with strong attacking rhythm under Adi Hütter: a 3–2 Ligue 1 win over Strasbourg and a late 2–1 at Auxerre last weekend show they’ll keep pushing for a second and third. Club Brugge’s recent qualification tie against Rangers produced four and six goals respectively, and their wide play and set pieces tend to produce flurries of chances. In a league-phase opener where neither side benefits from shutting the game down, the pace should stay high.
Over 3.5 goals
F.C. København vs Bayer Leverkusen
Thursday, September 18 – 6:45pm CEST – Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
New Bayer Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand delivered an instant bounce with a 3–1 Bundesliga win over Eintracht Frankfurt—secured despite finishing with nine men—highlighting resilience and set-piece threat through Alejandro Grimaldo and a Patrik Schick penalty. FC København, meanwhile, enter off a 2–1 derby loss at Brøndby, so momentum tilts to the visitors.
Bayer Leverkusen to win
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
Thursday, September 18 – 8pm CEST – Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
Goals look likely at Deutsche Bank Park. Eintracht Frankfurt’s first three Bundesliga games finished 4–1, 3–1 and 1–3, so they’re averaging over four total goals per match, with a 4–1 home win over Werder Bremen highlighting their front-foot approach. Galatasaray arrive unbeaten and attacking under Okan Buruk; they won 2–0 at Eyüpspor on Saturday and are top of the Süper Lig, with Mauro Icardi back scoring and İlkay Gündoğan slotting straight in.
Over 3.5 goals
Manchester City vs Napoli
Thursday, September 18 – 8pm BST – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Phil Foden looks a smart “score or assist” play against Napoli. He just opened the scoring in City’s 3–0 Premier League derby win over Manchester United, underlining sharp form and strong usage in advanced zones. Last season in the Champions League he produced three goals and one assist in nine appearances, a steady end-product profile that travels well to Europe. With City at home on Thursday and Foden increasingly trusted in central pockets to link with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, his involvement rate stays high from open play and set pieces.
Phil Foden to score or assist
Newcastle United v Barcelona
Thursday, September 18 – 8pm BST – St. James’ Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
Barcelona just dismantled Valencia 6–0 in La Liga and sit on 10 points from four league games, so confidence and chance creation are high. Frenkie de Jong has been passed fit for the trip, and even with Lamine Yamal sidelined, Barça retain ample attacking depth through Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran Torres. Newcastle have started slowly despite a 1–0 win over Wolves on Saturday (five points from four), and their open-play threat remains inconsistent. Barcelona’s control and finishing make them the value to win with top sports betting sites.
Barcelona to win
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty
Thursday, September 18 – 8pm CEST – Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Sporting CP at Estádio José Alvalade are a goals machine: their league home matches are averaging 4.5 total goals with 100% over 2.5 and 50% over 3.5, and they’re scoring 3.0 per game overall this season—ideal conditions for a high-total, one-sided result. Kairat Almaty arrive as first-time UCL leaguers after edging Celtic on penalties following two 0–0 legs, and their qualifying profile shows just 35.5% possession—signs they’ll sit deep and concede territory in Lisbon.
