Four Teams to Follow as the Champions League Begins

The biggest club football competition in the world is back, arriving at a time when US fans are eager for more international action after the World Cup. The Champions League offers plenty of excitement, drama, and captivating storylines that keep viewers hooked.

This season brings not just the usual top clubs but also some intriguing narratives shaping the tournament. For those interested in betting, a review of the BetMGM sportsbook shows a variety of wagering opportunities throughout the Champions League.

To explain briefly, 36 teams compete in a single league phase before the best advance to the knockout rounds, resembling a months-long version of March Madness.

The Three-Peat Quest: Paris Saint-Germain

PSG aim for a rare feat in modern football. Having won the last two Champions League titles, including a penalty shootout victory over Arsenal in the final, they seek a third consecutive crown—a milestone only Real Madrid has reached in recent times. Their deep squad and financial muscle place them as favorites on paper.

Early home matches against Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray, and Slovan Bratislava appear manageable. But the road trips to Manchester City, Aston Villa, Villarreal, and Como will truly reveal if PSG can sustain their dominance and make history.

The Redemption Story: Arsenal

No storyline carries more emotion than a team trying to overcome last season's heartbreak. Arsenal came so close to their first Champions League trophy, losing only on penalties to PSG. That kind of defeat either fuels a team’s fire or weighs heavily on it, and this campaign will tell which path the Gunners take.

Their schedule is tough from the start, facing 15-time champions Real Madrid and German giants Borussia Dortmund within their opening eight games. They host Madrid, Dortmund, Lille, and Sabah while traveling to Real Betis, Napoli, and Slavia Prague. Their solid defense could give them a chance to go one step further.

The Reunion: Real Madrid

This season holds a personal angle for Real Madrid. Manager Jose Mourinho returned to the club and will face his former team Inter Milan during the group stage—the very squad he led to Champions League glory in 2010 before joining Madrid. Few coaches carry such history into a single matchup.

Madrid remain the competition's most successful club, boasting a record 15 titles. They host Inter, PSV, RB Leipzig, and LASK, while traveling to Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, and AEK Athens. This schedule will test Mourinho’s tactical skills and rekindle old rivalries.

The Transfer Drama: Barcelona

Every season features a player facing his former club, and this year it’s Rodri, who left Manchester City for Barcelona in a £65 million transfer. This sets up an exciting reunion when City visits Spain during the group matches.

Aside from that, Barcelona boast one of the competition’s most thrilling attacks. They host City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, and Como, traveling to PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray, and Sabah. How their defense performs away from home will likely decide their fate.

The league phase runs from September 8 to January 27. The top eight teams move directly to the Round of 16. The final takes place on June 5 at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

• League Phase Dates: September 8 – January 27
• Top Teams Advancing: Top 8 teams to Round of 16
• Final Date: June 5
• Final Venue: Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid