Real begin title defence

The new-look UEFA Champions League enters the ‘league phase’ this week, with Matchday 1 getting underway in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST).

There are six games to look forward to, with current holders Real Madrid getting their title defence underway.

Real can be backed at 4.50 to win the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Final and will be out to get the campaign off to a solid start.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool, AC Milan and Juventus are also in action in what looks sure to be an exciting night.

Reals hot fancies to beat Stuttgart

. What: Real Madrid v VfB Stuttgart
. Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Wednesday 18th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Real Madrid 1.28, Draw 6.00, VfB Stuttgart 9.50

Real Madrid will face VfB Stuttgart for the very first time in the UEFA Champions League and are the hot fancies to get the job done with ease.

They also have a great record against German sides in the competition, losing just once in 21 matches, against RB Leipzig in 2022.

Los Blancos will be looking to begin their campaign in style with a convincing win, and over 2.5 goals in the game can be backed at 1.36.

It goes without saying that Real have goalscorers all over the pitch, but new signing Kylian Mbappe will be out to make an instant impact.

The French ace can be backed at 3.75 to score first or 1.66 to score at anytime.

Old rivals clash again

. What: AC Milan v Liverpool
. Where: San Siro, Milan
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Wednesday 18th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: AC Milan 3.80, Draw 3.80, Liverpool 1.90

These two sides have plenty of history in this competition with some epic battles throughout the years, including 2005 and 2007.

Liverpool beat Milan in the 2005 final, before the Italians gained revenge two years later.

The Reds have a great record at the San Siro, winning all three games there. Two against Inter and one against Milan.

There is the potential for a tight, low-scoring game, and under 2.5 goals can be backed at 2.37.

Mohamed Salah has started the season in good form and is 5.50 to score the first goal of the game or 2.40 to score at anytime.

Bayern entertain Dinamo

. What: Bayern Munich v Dinamo Zagreb
. Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Wednesday 18th September
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Bayern Munich 1.14, Draw 9.50, Dinamo Zagreb 15.00

Bayern Munich beat Dinamo Zagreb home and away the last time they met in the UEFA Champions League back in 2015/16.

And anything other than a convincing Bayern win would be a big surprise almost 10 years later.

Over 2.5 goals in the game is available at 1.33, while under 2.5 is 3.40.

Harry Kane can be backed at 3.20 to score the first goal of the game.

Other fixtures

In the three other fixtures Juventus are the hot fancies to beat PSV and can be backed at 1.72 to start their campaign with a win.

Sporting are also 1.66 to beat Lille, with the French side available at 5.00 to cause a shock.

Aston Villa travel to take on Young Boys and are 1.66 to pick up the win.