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Why are Manchester United playing on a Thursday? The key UEFA Champions League fixtures analysed By Ben Southby React to this story The UEFA Champions League league-phase fixtures are set for the 2026/27 season, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max, and we have looked into all the key games, from Matchday 1 to the hectic Matchday 8 finale. Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool are the Premier League teams involved in Europe's elite competition this campaign. Paris Saint-Germain scraped past The Gunners on penalties in Budapest last season to go back-to-back, but can they make it three titles? Man Utd are in the competition for the first time since 2024 and will take part in the rejuvenated version of the tournament for the first time, while Aston Villa also return after a triumphant year in the UEFA Europa League. Man City will hope to progress beyond the round of 16 for the first time since the 2023/24 campaign, and Liverpool set their sights on a seventh European title. The draw for the league phase was made earlier this week, but now that the fixtures are confirmed, let us dive into the details. MD1: Tough start for Arsenal Fixtures to be played between Tuesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 10 Selected fixtures: - Napoli v Arsenal - Liverpool v Atletico - Real Madrid v Inter Mikel Arteta's side were arguably dealt the toughest set of fixtures, and begin their quest for a maiden crown against 2024/25 Italian champions Napoli away from home, but it likely will not be their biggest challenge. After reaching the quarter-finals, semi-finals and then the final in recent seasons, could this be the time The Gunners finally get over the line? Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals last season, and they are likely to be Liverpool's trickiest league-phase test as The Reds open against Diego Simeone's side. Elsewhere among the opening group of fixtures, Real Madrid begin their quest for a record-extending 16th title against Internazionale. Plus, we have Manchester United in action on a Thursday. No, you're not reading that wrong, Man Utd fans - you're not in the Europa League, but UEFA does like to have the Champions League get its own week in MD1 for extra attention, hence some games on a Thursday. - 'They will have to explain it' - Iraola 'angry' at fourth official over Forest goal - Ally vs Fletch: 'Alarm bells ringing' for Villa as Arsenal tipped to 'trounce' them - 'I played so s***' - Cherki's blunt admission despite masterclass MD2: Big night in Manchester Fixtures to be played Tuesday, October 13 and Wednesday, October 14 Selected fixtures: - Atletico v Man Utd - Man City v PSG - Aston Villa v Fenerbahce Defending champions PSG travel to Manchester to face Enzo Maresca's City, who are without Pep Guardiola for the first time since 2016. City have had a tough time in the Champions League since winning the tournament in 2023, having exited at the quarter-final stage, the knockout round play-offs and the round of 16 since then. With City at home, rivals Man Utd travel to face Atletico - who also have a tough start after opening against Liverpool - at the Metropolitano Stadium, while Villa host Turkish giants Fenerbahce. MD3: Familiar fixture Fixtures to be played Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21 Selected fixtures: - Bayern v Arsenal - PSG v Barcelona You can expect Arsenal to feature a fair amount in this list, considering they have been drawn against a handful of European heavyweights. One of those is Bayern Munich, as they travel to Allianz Arena on Matchday 3 in a replay of their 5-1 defeat (and 10-2 on aggregate) back in 2017. Since then, they have come up against each other twice. Bayern claimed their quarter-final tie with a 3-2 aggregate win in 2024, while Arsenal beat them at home in the league phase last season. Matchday 3 will also see another tricky fixture for PSG, who meet Hansi Flick's Barcelona side, tipped to challenge for their sixth Champions League title. MD4: Villa back among the elite Fixtures to be played Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4 Selected fixtures: - Barcelona v Aston Villa - Man Utd v Roma - Atletico v Bayern If Barca are to go all the way, one of the teams they will have to navigate past in the league phase is Unai Emery's Aston Villa. The Villans are competing as Europa League champions and have been handed a tough round of fixtures, including a trip to the Camp Nou to face the Spanish champions. The fourth round of fixtures will also see Atletico come up against Bayern in Madrid, while Old Trafford will host a potential classic between Man Utd and Italian giants Roma. MD5: Take your pick Fixtures to be played Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25 Selected fixtures: - Man City v Napoli - Galatasaray v Aston Villa - Arsenal v Dortmund - Sporting v Man Utd There are a few tasty fixtures pencilled in for this week, including Man City hosting Napoli and Villa making a trip to the intimidating Galatasaray. Arsenal have another tricky fixture as they entertain Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium, having already faced Napoli, Lille, Bayern and Slavia Prague. During this round of fixtures, we will see a 'Cristiano Ronaldo derby' as two of his former clubs, Sporting CP and Man Utd, reunite in Lisbon. MD6: PSG, Barca and Madrid await Fixtures to be played Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9 - Aston Villa v PSG - Arsenal v Real Madrid - Barcelona v Man City This will be a tough round of matches for English sides, as three of the contenders for the crown await Villa, Man City and Arsenal. The former will host PSG in a game which is sure to serve up an electric night at Villa Park, and Emery's side know a thing or two about hosting the Spaniard's former side. Arsenal will face another test against Madrid, who they have never lost to in European competition and defeated 5-1 on aggregate during their run to the semi-finals in 2024/25. MD7: Re-run of a classic Fixtures to be played Tuesday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 20 Selected fixtures: - Aston Villa v Dortmund - Inter v Liverpool - Man Utd v Bayern One of the standout fixtures of the entire league phase is Bayern v Man Utd at Allianz Arena. There is plenty more to sink your teeth into on Matchday 7, as Liverpool travel to Inter and Villa host Dortmund in another big - and testing - night at Villa Park. MD8: Let battle commence Fixtures to be played on Wednesday, January 27 Selected fixtures: - Villarreal v Man Utd - Man City v Sporting - Atletico v Fenerbahce Who knows where we will be by Matchday 8? Which teams will be safe? Which teams will be out? And which elite European sides could be in danger? City could once again be fighting for survival and take on Sporting, this time at home, after being beaten 4-1 the last time they met in Lisbon. Man Utd could also be in a must-win scenario and will face tricky Spanish opponents Villarreal on the road, while we are set for a fiery clash between Atletico and Galatasaray. Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this. Watch and stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live with TNT Sports on HBO Max. Related Topics