Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Real Madrid vs. Inter battle on Matchday 1

Europe's biggest club competition is back, and the Champions League league phase kicks off Tuesday with a slate that instantly reminds you why this tournament sits above everything else in the sport. Real Madrid host Inter Milan in a Bernabeu rematch of last season's knockout drama, while Arsenal have an intriguing date against Napoli.

This first matchweek stretches across three days, Tuesday through Thursday, with six matches apiece as all 36 clubs in the expanded league phase begin their eight-game round robin toward the knockout playoffs. It's a format built for chaos and drama in equal measure, and Matchday 1 sets the tone.

Every match streams live on Paramount+, your home for every Champions League game all season long, plus replays, highlights and studio coverage breaking down the race for the top eight. If you haven't signed up yet, now's the time.

Tuesday's slate also features Club Brugge hosting Aston Villa and Lille taking on Real Betis, but all eyes will be on the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid look to open with a statement.

Here are our expert picks for this matchday:

Player to watch: Arda Guler, Real Madrid: If there has been a somewhat surprising early-season winner under Jose…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/