Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claps and smiles with Man City manager Enzo Maresca
Champions League football returns this weekImago

Champions League returns: Kick-off time, TV channel and Supercomputer predictions for Premier League clubs

Evan Lloyd

Correspondent AUTHORITY NCTJ-qualified football journalist with experience at VAVEL, Hayters TV, SPORTbible, and Centredevils. FOCUS Premier League analysis, tactical deep-dives, and original opinion content across Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Celtic. THE INSIGHT Evan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides specialist tactical and analytical content to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and understand the full picture.

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The Champions League returns this week, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa in action.

The Villans will be first to take to the pitch on Tuesday, with Unai Emery's men facing a trip to Club Brugge.

Man City are also away at FC Porto, while Arsenal travel to Napoli and Liverpool host Atletico Madrid.

Man United will feature on the Thursday, with Old Trafford set to welcome Azerbaijani side Sabah FK.

All five will hope to kick off their Champions League campaigns in style, with Arsenal making it clear last season how important a strong group stage is.

The eventual finalists topped the table and subsequently played Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP and Atletico Madrid on route to the final, playing each and every second leg at Emirates Stadium.

Kick-off time and how to watch

Having been a finalist last season and a semi-finalist the season before, Arsenal are among the favourites to win the Champions League.

The four other Premier League sides will be confident about their chances, too, however, and will hope to get off to a great start this week.

Unlike the others, Villa's trip to Club Brugge will kick off at 17:45 BST, and will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 on Tuesday.

Man City against Porto will kick off two hours and 15 minutes later, at 20:00 BST, and will be live on Amazon Prime Video.

Liverpool and Arsenal will kick off their campaigns on Wednesday, with the Reds' clash with Atleti at 20:00 BST and on TNT Sports 1.

Arsenal kick off at the same time and will be available to watch against Napoli on TNT Sports 2.

Man United have been handed the unusual Thursday kick-off, with their clash against Sabah to kick off at 20:00 on TNT Sports 1.

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Supercomputer predicts opening games

Every Premier League side will go into their opening game with the tag of favourites, according to Opta's supercomputer.

Villa just narrowly, with Emery's side given a 38.9 per cent chance of winning compared to Club Brugge's 35.5 per cent.

Man City, on the other hand, have been given 54.1 per cent, and Arsenal, 52 per cent.

Liverpool arguably have the most difficult opening game of the five, and have been handed a 53 per cent chance of beating Atleti at Anfield.

Man United will be hoping to avoid one of the biggest Champions League upsets ever when they play Sabah, with a 78 per cent chance of victory.

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