Champions League

Liverpool and AC Milan have met in two previous Champions League finals, winning one apiece, and do battle in a tough Group B this season. With Atletico Madrid and Porto also present in this pool, picking up maximum points on home turf could prove crucial for the Reds.

Manchester City set out on the latest bid to end their Champions League hoodoo by hosting an out-of-sorts RB Leipzig side in Group A. The Blues made it all the way to the final last season and have regularly been clinically efficient during the pool stage in recent years.

Inter Milan and Real Madrid are familiar foes after being placed in the same Champions League group for the second successive season. Inter claimed the Serie A title last term but it was a very different story in Europe as they finished bottom of Group B with just one win.

Ajax failed to get out of their Champions League group last season so will be keen to make a fast start when they head to Portugal. They have been priced up as the slight favourites but this looks a tough one to call in an open group which also contains Borussia Dortmund and Besiktas.

Chelsea begin the defence of their Champions League title with what looks a straightforward test when entertaining Zenit. The Russian side have every incentive to do well, as they will host the final in St Petersburg, but look up against it on all known form.

Bayern Munich won’t fear facing Barcelona, having thrashed them 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals two seasons ago. However, a cagier approach to this Group E opener could be on the cards, especially after a tricky Bundesliga trip to RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Man Utd paid the price for two away defeats when failing to qualify from last season’s Champions League pool so will be fully focused for this trip. The good news is that the Red Devils enjoyed a 3-0 win over Young Boys in Berne three years ago, when Paul Pogba hit a double.

PSV have work to do after losing 2-1 away to Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier but did impress in Lisbon. Roger Schmidt’s side showed great resolve to recover from a shaky start and could easily have returned to Holland on level terms.

PSV continued their impressive start to the new season when crushing Midtjylland 3-0 in Holland in the first leg of this Champions League qualifier. Roger Schmidt’s side are playing with great confidence, so they look worth sticking with in the return fixture in Denmark.

Rangers have given themselves work to do when entertaining Malmo in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier after losing 2-1 in Sweden. However, they have a formidable home record in Europe since Steven Gerrard took charge.

Celtic face a tough trip to Denmark as they look to progress to the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw by Midtjylland in the first leg at Parkhead last Tuesday night and were thrashed 6-2 by West Ham in Saturday’s friendly.