By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Champions League 2025/26 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 1

Predicted starting XIs for all teams in the Champions League 2025/26 Matchday 1 fixtures.
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Four German clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt – feature as the 2025/26 Champions League kicks off this week.

Below you’ll find predicted lineups for all 18 opening fixtures, covering all 36 teams.

Champions League 2025/26 – Matchday 1 Predicted Lineups

Tuesday, 16th September

Athletic Club vs Arsenal predicted lineups

PSV vs Union Saint-Gilloise predicted lineups

Benfica vs Qarabag predicted lineups

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups

Real Madrid vs Olympique Marseille predicted lineups

Tottenham vs Villarreal predicted lineups

Wednesday, 17th September

Olympiakos vs Pafos predicted lineups

Slavia Prague vs Bodø/Glimt predicted lineups

Ajax vs Inter predicted lineups

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea predicted lineups

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid predicted lineups

PSG vs Atalanta predicted lineups

Thursday, 18th September

Club Brugge vs Monaco predicted lineups

Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineups

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray predicted lineups

Manchester City vs Napoli predicted lineups

Newcastle vs Barcelona predicted lineups

Sporting CP vs Kairat predicted lineups

Bundesliga news

RB LeipzigWatch: RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner reflects on clash with "top team" Eintracht Frankfurt
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga Saturday Konferenz preview
Rumor Borussia DortmundSchlotterbeck remains hesitant on Dortmund extension amid interest from Bayern and Real Madrid
FC Bayern"2026 can be his year" – Jamal Musiala closing in on long-awaited injury return
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 13
Preview Borussia Dortmund & TSG HoffenheimBorussia Dortmund vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: The race for Europe heats up
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga Friday Preview
Rumor RB LeipzigEurope's top clubs keeping tabs on Leipzig winger Nusa
Preview VfB Stuttgart & FC BayernVfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich preview: Hosts look to cause upset in Südderby
Rumor RB LeipzigRB Leipzig consider letting Timo Werner leave for free amid Inter Miami talks
Bundesliga & 2. BundesligaDFL vote to display exact added time in stadiums as of January 2026
2. Bundesliga Schalke 04Schalke's El-Faouzi unfussed by rumours: "I would put all of that on hold for now"
Eintracht FrankfurtUzun and Larsson could feature in Leipzig as Frankfurt await Burkardt update

Table

Kickfieber

Match days

RB LeipzigWatch: RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner reflects on clash with "top team" Eintracht Frankfurt
Preview Borussia Dortmund & TSG HoffenheimBorussia Dortmund vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: The race for Europe heats up
Preview VfB Stuttgart & FC BayernVfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich preview: Hosts look to cause upset in Südderby
Preview 1. FSV Mainz 05 & Borussia Mönchengladbach Mainz 05 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Can a coaching change spark a Mainz revival?
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 13
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week – Matchday 12
Post-match reaction VfL WolfsburgDaniel Bauer: “It was an exciting Bundesliga game”
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtDino Toppmöller: “We're missing Burkardt and Uzun”
Post-match reaction HSVMerlin Polzin: “It’s a special football afternoon”
Freiburg, MainzConfirmed Lineups: SC Freiburg vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05
Match report HSV, StuttgartTen-man HSV stun Stuttgart with injury-time winner
Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Wolfsburg Confirmed Lineups: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. VfL Wolfsburg
HSV & StuttgartConfirmed lineups: Hamburger SV vs Stuttgart
Preview HSV & StuttgartHamburger SV vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: Champions League-chasing visitors head to struggling HSV
Preview SC Freiburg & MainzFreiburg vs. Mainz 05 preview: Freiburg look to steady the ship against struggling Nullfünfer
Match report RB Leipzig, GladbachVAR rescues Leipzig in goalless draw with Gladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach, RB LeipzigConfirmed Lineups: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. RB Leipzig
Preview Hoffenheim & AugsburgHoffenheim vs. Augsburg preview: European push meets survival fight
Borussia DortmundDortmund to make late decision on Beier's availability for Leverkusen clash
FC BayernKompany offers team news as Bayern aim to bounce back from Arsenal defeat against St. Pauli
Preview Borussia Dortmund & Bayer LeverkusenBayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Can BVB hold their BayArena hot-streak?
Preview Borussia Mönchengladbach & RB Leipzig Borussia Mönchengladbach vs RB Leipzig preview: Foals eye fourth straight league win
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 12
RB LeipzigRômulo ruled out of RB Leipzig's trip to Mönchengladbach
Fantasy Football FantasySurprising Bundesliga Fantasy performances on Matchday 11

Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 13
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 13
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 13
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 12
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 12
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 12
Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2025/26 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 5
Fantasy Football FantasySurprising Bundesliga Fantasy performances on Matchday 11
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 11
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 11
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 11
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 10
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 10
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 10
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 9
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 9
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 8
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 8
Fantasy Football BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 8
Fantasy Football Champions LeagueChampions League 2025/26 predicted lineups: Projected starting XIs for Matchday 3
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 7
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 7
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Best picks for Matchday 6's key fixtures
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 6
Fantasy Football FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 6

German Teams in Europe

Post-match reaction VfB Stuttgart"Completely disproportionate" - Stuttgart boss Wehrle on police intervention
Match report VfB StuttgartSizzling Stuttgart pick up first European away win
Match report 1. FSV Mainz 05 Mainz’s unbeaten European record comes to a halt in Romania
Match report SC FreiburgFreiburg play out stalemate in Plzen - but extend unbeaten run
VfB Stuttgart Confirmed lineups: Go Ahead Eagles vs. Stuttgart
SC FreiburgConfirmed lineups: Viktoria Plzen vs. Freiburg
Mainz 05Henriksen rules Mwene out of Conference League duty in Romania
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtKoch: "We destroyed our own game in five minutes" after Frankfurt collapse
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtKrösche rues "not good enough" Eintracht display after Atalanta collapse
Post-match reaction FC Bayern"Details decided this match" - FCB coach Kompany after the 1-3 loss against Arsenal
Post-match reaction FC BayernSerge Gnabry: "Arsenal deserved that win"
FC BayernFC Bayern Munich player ratings vs. Arsenal
Match report FC BayernArsenal end Bayern’s unbeaten run in style
Match report Eintracht FrankfurtAtalanta run riot to take three points in Frankfurt
Champions LeagueConfirmed lineups: Arsenal vs. FC Bayern Munich
Eintracht FrankfurtConfirmed lineups: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Atalanta BC
Preview 1. FSV Mainz 05 Universitatea Craiova vs. Mainz 05 Conference League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Borussia DortmundWatch: Niko Kovac praises "world-class" Adeyemi after Dortmund's win over Villarreal
FC BayernHarry Kane backs 17-year-old Lennart Karl to shine against Arsenal: "He's ready for a game like this"
FC BayernVincent Kompany shares team news and discusses Bayern's "difficult task" against Arsenal
Preview VfB StuttgartGo Ahead Eagles vs. VfB Stuttgart Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview SC FreiburgViktoria Plzen vs. Freiburg Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernWatch: Harry Kane on facing Arsenal and how Bayern can beat them
Preview FC BayernWho runs Europe? – Arsenal vs. FC Bayern preview, team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction Bayer LeverkusenHjulmand reflects on "a night to remember" for Leverkusen in Manchester

DFB-Pokal

Union Berlin & FC Bayern Union Berlin 2–3 Bayern Munich – DFB-Pokal Highlights
Dortmund & LeverkusenBorussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen – DFB-Pokal Highlights
Post-match reaction VfL Bochum & VfB StuttgartHoeneß, Undav and Rösler react to cup tie
Match report VfL Bochum & VfB StuttgartPokal holders Stuttgart book quarter-final spot with professional performance
Match report SC Freiburg & SV DarmstadtDarmstadt fail to land a punch as Freiburg book Pokal passage
VfL Bochum & VfB StuttgartConfirmed lineups: VfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart
Freiburg & DarmstadtConfirmed lineups: SC Freiburg vs. SV Darmstadt
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSchlotterbeck admits Dortmund "lacked a bit of punch" against Leverkusen
RB Leipzig & 1.FC MagdeburgLeipzig offer condolences to Magdeburg fan who tragically passed away during Pokal fixture
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigWerner critical of "unaggressive" first-half display despite Leipzig's last-16 triumph
Post-match reaction Borussia MonchengladbachNicolas and Polanski "very disappointed" by Gladbach's Pokal exit
Match report Borussia Dortmund & Bayer LeverkusenMaza strike ensures Leverkusen dump Dortmund out of DFB-Pokal
Match report RB Leipzig, MagdeburgBaumgartner's brace books quarter-final spot for Leipzig
RB Leipzig & 1.FC MagdeburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs. 1.FC Magdeburg
Borussia Dortmund & Bayer LeverkusenConfirmed lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Match report Borussia Monchengladbach & St.PauliOppie's late strike guides St.Pauli past Gladbach in last-16 encounter
Match report Hertha BSC & 1.FC KaiserslauternSix-goal Hertha BSC crush Kaiserslautern to reach Pokal quarter finals
Preview SC Freiburg & SV Darmstadt 98Freiburg vs. Darmstadt DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Borussia Monchengladbach & St.PauliConfirmed lineups: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. St. Pauli
Hertha BSC & 1.FC KaiserslauternConfirmed lineups: Hertha BSC vs. 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Preview Hamburger SV & Holstein KielHamburger SV vs. Holstein Kiel DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview UNION BERLIN & BAYERN MUNICHUnion Berlin vs. Bayern Munich DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview VfL Bochum & VfB StuttgartVfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups
RB LeipzigWatch: RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner reveals new injury concerns ahead of Magdeburg clash
Borussia DortmundWatch: Kovac says Dortmund need "the right balance" to beat Leverkusen again

German National Team

German national teamGermany to face United States ahead of 2026 World Cup
Match report Germany WUEFA Women's Nations League Final: Spain 3-0 Germany
Germany WConfirmed UEFA Women’s Nations League Final Lineups: Spain vs. Germany
Preview Germany WUEFA Women’s Nations League Final Preview: Spain vs. Germany
Match report Germany WUEFA Women's Nations League Final First-Leg: Germany 0-0 Spain
Germany WConfirmed UEFA Women's Nations League Lineups: Germany vs. Spain
Predicted lineups Germany WomenUEFA Women's Nations League final preview: Germany vs. Spain
FC BayernBayern boss backs Neuer return to German national team for World Cup
German National TeamEddie Howe praises Woltemade's form with Germany: “Confidence is absolutely essential for a center forward"
German National TeamGermany climb one spot into ninth place in FIFA world rankings
Match report Germany U21Karl on target as Germany U21 end the year with victory in Georgia
Germany WGermany announce squad for UEFA Women’s Nations League final
Germany U21Confirmed Lineups: Georgia U21 vs. Germany U21
Post-match reaction German national team"Kai had a minor relapse" – Nagelsmann gives injury update on Havertz and Musiala
Post-match reaction Germany & FC BayernAleksandar Pavlovic gives injury update after half-time substitute against Slovakia
Post-match reaction Germany"Leroy is physically stronger than any other player I know" – Kimmich full of praise for Sané
German national team"Naive and stupid" – Germany director Rudi Völler criticises Adeyemi over illegal weapons case
Post-match reaction German national team"We can beat any opponent" – Schlotterbeck eyes German World Cup glory after Slovakia thrashing
German national teamAssan Ouedraogo becomes Germany's second-youngest debut goalscorer
Post-match reaction GermanyNagelsmann left proud after dominant German display
Post-match reaction Germany"Everyone knew what was at stake": Kimmich and Woltemade react to huge qualifying win
Post-match reaction GermanyGermany player ratings vs. Slovakia
Other GermanyConfirmed lineups: Germany vs. Slovakia
Match report Germany U20Germany U20 5-0 Italy U20: Brunner and Moerstedt star in another Elite League win
Preview Germany U21Georgia U21 vs. Germany U21 preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary FC AugsburgFC Augsburg: Awakening meets mounting pressure - Where things stand after 10 games
Analysis/Commentary FC BayernFC Bayern: The Unbeatables - Where things stand after 10 games
Analysis/Commentary 1.FC Köln1.FC Köln: Where things stand for Effzeh at the break
Analysis/Commentary 1. FSV Mainz 05 1. FSV Mainz 05: In dire need of a spark
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenAre Werder Bremen doing well?
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia Mönchengladbach: Where things stand for the Foals at the break
Analysis/Commentary Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund: Where things stand for BVB at the break
Analysis/Commentary Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund player ratings vs FC Copenhagen
Analysis/Commentary BonifaceWhy Werder Bremen must give Victor Boniface a chance
Editor's pick FC BayernBayern's strategy to keep Harry Kane beyond the summer revealed
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen's season really starts this weekend
Analysis/Commentary VfB StuttgartStuttgart's response shows Hoeneß still has players' trust - but consistency is the real test
Analysis/Commentary Mainz 05 Life after Burkardt: Can Mainz’s new-look attack fill the void?
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen's summer signings deliver
Analysis/Commentary Borussia DortmundAnalysis: Sabitzer set for midfield renaissance at Dortmund?
Analysis/Commentary VFL WOLFSBURG80 years of VfL Wolfsburg: The history of Die Wölfe, chronicled
Analysis/Commentary GermanyGermany player ratings vs. Northern Ireland
Analysis/Commentary German national teamGermany player ratings vs Slovakia
Analysis/Commentary Andre SilvaThe André Silva gamble: Why Werder might bet on him again
2. Bundesliga 2. Bundesliga2. Bundesliga 2025/26 guide: In-depth team previews ahead of the new season
Analysis/Commentary FC HeidenheimHow can FC Heidenheim stave off another fight for survival?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaTop young Bundesliga players to watch in 2025/26
Editor's pick VfB StuttgartWhy Ermedin Demirovic has fallen down Stuttgart pecking order - despite 17 goal return
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings vs France: UEFA Nations League third-place match
Editor's pick SC FreiburgWho is Yuito Suzuki? A closer look at SC Freiburg’s €10 million man

Exclusive interviews

Exclusive interview Borussia DortmundDortmund boss Kehl praises Jobe Bellingham for bouncing back after Bayern error
Exclusive interview Bayer 04 LeverkusenRolfes critical of Leverkusen’s first-half display in Copenhagen draw
Exclusive interview Bayer 04 LeverkusenTapsoba "happy" with one point in Copenhagen after early setback: “Everybody was sleeping”
Exclusive interview VfL WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Mads Roerslev opens up on injury struggles, Wolfsburg loan so far, future and more
Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News

Bundesliga - Mainz 05 - GladbachBundesliga - Stuttgart - FC Bayern