Arsenal and Barcelona join the party

With the opening round of games well underway from the new-look league phase of the 2024/25 tournament, Friday morning will see title contenders Arsenal and Barcelona join the party.

The Gunners are currently the 9.00 third favourites to lift the UEFA Champions League Trophy this season, while the Blaugrana are available at 11.00 to be crowned champions of Europe once again.

Here’s a closer look at the opening games for both Arsenal and Barcelona, along with Atletico Madrid’s game against RB Leipzig in the Spanish capital.

Gunners face tricky Atalanta test

. What: Atalanta v Arsenal
. Where: Stadio di Bergamo, Bergamo
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Friday 20th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Atalanta 4.00, Draw 3.80, Arsenal 1.85

Arsenal will look to build on their impressive start in the Premier League when they make the trip to Atalanta for Friday morning’s showdown in Bergamo.

The Gunners go into this game on the back of a 1-0 win over Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur in the first North London Derby of the season.

Arsenal have conceded just one goal, when down to 10 men against Brighton, in their first four league outings this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side to win to nil against Atalanta, who have had a mixed start to the season, is available at 3.40.

Barca hope to dazzle in Monaco

. What: Monaco v Barcelona
. Where: Stade Luis II, Monaco
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Friday 20th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Monaco 4.20, Draw 4.00, Barcelona 1.75

Winning all of their first five games of the La Liga season, new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has been earning rave reviews with the Catalonian giants.

Now the Blaugrana will look to take that positive form into Friday’s trip to the Stade Luis II to face Monaco.

Barca have been scoring at a frightening rate, with 19 goals scored in their five La Liga games so far.

With that in mind, a Barcelona win and over 3.5 total goals in the game is available at 3.60.

Atlet’s new boys can shine against Leipzig

. What: Atletico Madrid v RB Leipzig
. Where: Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Friday 20th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Atletico Madrid 1.72, Draw 3.90, RB Leipzig 4.50

Summer signings Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez will both be hoping for starting roles for Atletico Madrid when they host RB Leipzig.

Both players scored at the weekend for their new club, with Alvarez coming off the bench to find the back of the net in a 3-0 home win over Valencia.

Unbeaten in La Liga this season and currently second on the ladder behind frontrunners Barcelona, Atleti are 1.72 to make a winning start to their UEFA Champions League campaign.