Premier League sides in the Champions League: Six things to look out for this week

The Champions League returns to our TV screens for the first time this season this week.

This season sees the Premier League being represented by a record-breaking six clubs, all hoping for an excellent start in this prestigious competition.

Whether it’s adding to the trophies already in the cabinet, or trying to get their hands on it for the first time, there is no doubt that these English clubs will be doing all they can to be crowned as Europe’s finest by May 2026.

Sports News Blitz writer Sarim Ahmed is here to talk about what viewers should be looking out for as these teams battle under the stars this week.

Athletic Club vs Arsenal

Arsenal will be hoping to reach the final for the first time since their 2006 heartbreak to earn the trophy that has seemed to evade them for so long.

Last season’s campaign seemed somewhat of a fairytale for the Gunners. Finishing third out of the 36 clubs in the group stage was just the tip of the iceberg.

From thrashing PSV at their own ground to Declan Rice’s delightful deadball double against Real Madrid - there were plenty of moments to write home about for Arsenal.

Eventually, they lost in the semi-final to eventual winners PSG, but that is nothing to be ashamed about.

This year, Mikel Arteta’s men will believe they can go all the way, especially after some excellent recruitment over the transfer window.

Arsenal finally have the depth all over to keep up with their jam packed schedule this season which reduces the chance of injuries to their players.

Stars such as Bukayo Saka finally have understudies - Noni Madueke is keen to impress on his Champions League debut after a great game against Nottingham Forest and scoring his first international goal for the Three Lions.

Eberechi Eze will be hungry to show the world what he has got during the biggest club competition and new number nine Victor Gyökeres is no stranger to the Champions League - managing to score six in just eight games for his previous club.

Viewers should look out for a statement performance from Arsenal and their new cohort of players.

Make no mistake, facing a physical team such as Bilbao is no easy feat and handling an in-form Nico Williams is a tough task (as fans will remember from the Euro 2024 final.

But if Arsenal want to be treated as one of the big boys, they have to act like it.

That means three points are a need, not a want.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal

The other club from North London have also managed to secure their place in the Champions League this year, despite a 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season.

This is because they ended their 17-year trophy doubt to win the 24/25 Europa League over English counterparts Manchester United.

Tottenham will be wanting to show teams that they are not just there to make up the numbers - they want to disrupt the competition.

Fans will be curious as to how Spurs will handle the pressure of the Champions League this year.

Their European success stemmed from former manager Ange Postecoglu, who guided the team to victory with a clear identity throughout the season.

And now, current manager Thomas Frank has never managed a Champions League team before.

However, if league form is anything to go by, Spurs can be confident. They boast three wins from four in the top flight of English football this season.

Additionally, they are unbeaten in their last 20 games at home in UEFA club competitions.

Look out for familiar faces that could frustrate the Lilywhites. Ex-Arsenal players Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey return to the ground of their former bitter rivals.

Whilst the former did not stand out throughout his time at Arsenal, he already has three goal contributions this season whilst the latter made his debut last weekend for the Spanish side.

Former Spurs man Juan Foyth is also playing an important role for Villarreal, starting all four games in La Liga so far.

This personal vendetta may be the extra push the visitors need to overcome Tottenham and claim the win.

New signing Xavi Simmons will be hoping to spoil the story line in exchange for his own success - the Dutchman will be hoping to mark his home debut with a headline performance.

So make sure to look out for players grinding hard to have a first great chapter for their story.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League news: Six things we learned from Gameweek four

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

Two titans. Both are European giants who are no strangers to each other.

Chelsea's first taste of Champions League success came against favourites Bayern Munich in their very own backyard.

Two seasons later, Bayern responded by defeating Chelsea to win the UEFA Super Cup.

Since then there has only been one match up between the clubs. Bayern thumped Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate to progress through the competition on a run which saw them eventually win the whole thing.

That match up was five years ago, however - a lot can change in that time.

Bayern Munich have been a constant presence in the Champions League throughout the 21st century, while Chelsea return to the competition after a two-year absence.

But their time away from Europe’s top table did not prevent them from making history.

By sweeping aside Real Betis in last season’s Conference League final, the Blues became the first club to win every UEFA competition, then followed by winning the first edition of the new Club World Cup format.

Club World Cup champions Chelsea will know their worth in this fixture but that does not mean Bayern will be easily beat.

The German giants have not lost a Champions League group game since 2013 and have not lost their opening Champions League fixture since 2002.

This, on top of the fact they have won five out of five games this season with 19 games, is reasonable means for Chelsea fans to be worried.

But one thing neutrals should learn to do is never count out Chelsea when they are the underdogs.

No one gave them a chance vs PSG in the Club World Cup final and yet the Blues managed to pick them apart as if they were the Champions League winners.

And if there’s ever an example to not downplay Chelsea, just ask a Bayern fan about what Didier Drogba got up to in 2012.

Make sure to look out for a dominant display from Bayern at the Allianz Arena but with specs of a freshly rotated Chelsea squad hitting them on the counter attack.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid

Another match-up between two strong sides.

Liverpool made a strong impression at the start of last season’s Champions League, topping the league phase before bowing out on penalties to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Under Arne Slot, the Reds have carried that momentum into this campaign and are the only Premier League side with a 100% record - four wins from four.

Each of those victories, however, has relied on late drama, with decisive goals coming in the final 10 minutes.

Their opponents, however, arrive in contrasting form.

After failing to win any of their first three La Liga fixtures, they finally found relief with a weekend victory over Villarreal.

That win came at a cost, though, as several players limped off - including former Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez, who netted 29 times last season.

Liverpool, meanwhile, boast 14 straight home wins in UEFA group or league matches.

Alexander Isak could be in line to make his debut for the Reds, after missing out in their victory over Burnley last weekend.

A creative and tricky player like him may be what it takes to break down an Atletico Madrid defence who are notoriously known for their tough challenges and insistent pressing.

If he plays, look out for how Isak fits into this Liverpool squad and how Diego Simeone plans to neutralise the Swede.

Also be aware of Slot’s management over his squad - this continental fixture is the first of five games in 13 days for his men.

How heavily will he prioritise an opening game during a hectic schedule like his?

READ MORE: Sponsorship news: Sports News Blitz-sponsored duo shine in Ventus FC’s four-star display

Manchester City vs Napoli

Almost as if it was destiny, Manchester City play host to Serie A champions Napoli, who recently signed Citizens legend Kevin De Bruyne this summer.

Pep Guardiola will hope that City’s derby victory can ignite an upturn in form after an underwhelming start to the campaign.

Whilst a crucial trip to title rivals Arsenal looms this weekend, City’s immediate focus is on their 15th straight season in the Champions League.

After being winners of the competition in 2023, City are determined to make a sharper start this time around.

Last season’s league phase proved disappointing, as they managed just three wins in eight matches and finished a lowly 22nd in the 36-team table, before bowing out to Champions League powerhouse, Real Madrid, in the knockout playoff round.

Napoli have made a flawless start to their title defence this season, winning all three of their opening Serie A matches against Cagliari, Sassuolo, and Fiorentina.

Newly signed Rasmus Højlund, fresh from his move from City rivals Manchester United, marked his debut for the Partenopei with a goal in last weekend’s victory over Fiorentina after De Bruyne netted for the second time of the season in the same game.

With last year's Serie A MVP Scott McTominay also coming from Manchester, it will be a game that will not feel strange to many important players on the pitch.

Fans should look out for a ruthless display from Napoli - Conte continually urges his team to never take their foot off the gas and if I were his player, I would not want to get on the wrong side of the eccentric Italian.

You can never count out a Guardiola side, though. This is even more apparent when star striker Erling Haaland is in red hot form, with five goals in four Premier League games.

Pure quality all over the pitch,homecoming stories and critically approved managers - this is not a game to miss.

Newcastle vs Barcelona

Newcastle’s last foray into the Champions League came in 2023/24, when they faced a daunting group featuring Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

Progress was always going to be difficult, but the club’s return under the expanded league-phase format promises a more favorable opportunity.

Their campaign begins against one of Europe’s toughest sides: Barcelona.

The Spanish giants have scored 13 goals in their opening four La Liga matches and sit unbeaten in second place.

They warmed up for Thursday’s clash with a resounding 6‑0 victory over Valencia on Sunday, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin López all netting twice.

The win came despite the absence of young star Lamine Yamal, who remains a doubt with a back problem although giving loanee Marcus Rashford a chance to feature back in his home nation.

Up front, Nick Woltemade is expected to lead Newcastle’s attack again after scoring the decisive goal on his debut against Wolverhampton at the weekend.

If anything, make sure to look out for an absolutely rocking atmosphere at St James park this Thursday.

If previous European nights are anything to go by, the Geordies definitely have what it takes to create a hostile environment for whoever's visiting, no matter what European pedigree they may have.

And despite a poor start to the season, a big night like this may just be what the doctor ordered to get Newcastle up and running for the season.

READ NEXT: Manchester derby: Man City honour Ricky Hatton as Erling Haaland punishes Man Utd