The Champions League makes its eagerly anticipated return this week when 36 clubs begin the league phase of the 2026/27 edition.
Five of the opening 18 fixtures involve Premier League clubs, spread across all three nights – and every one of them carries a Champions League stat, record, or milestone worth keeping an eye on.
Here’s a look at the best Champions League stats and records to look out for in those five matches featuring English clubs.
Champions League stats you might see in Gameweek 1
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa (Tuesday, 5.45pm)
- Zion Suzuki can become the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the European Cup/Champions League.
Aston Villa return to the Champions League after Unai Emery’s side were crowned Europa League winners last season.
Villa’s summer rebuild has seen plenty of change, including Zion Suzuki, who has replaced Emi Martinez between the sticks. Suzuki has started both of Villa’s last two games and kept a clean sheet over the weekend against Hull.
The 24-year-old can now enter the history books against Club Brugge on Tuesday by becoming the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the European Cup/Champions League.
Porto vs Manchester City (Tuesday, 8pm)
- Erling Haaland (57 goals) could reach 60 Champions League goals faster than any other player in history.
Erling Haaland has already smashed an assortment of records in various competitions. The Manchester City man now has the opportunity to make his mark once again.
Haaland has scored an eye-popping 57 goals in 58 Champions League games, which is already joint-seventh on the all-time list alongside Thomas Muller. He holds the record for the fewest appearances to 30, 40 and 50 goals in the competition. Now, a hat-trick against Porto on Tuesday would see him hit 60 goals after just 59 games, miles ahead of Lionel Messi’s 80-game mark.
Meanwhile, Haaland (34) is currently chasing Sergio Aguero’s Man City record of 36 Champions League goals.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (Wednesday, 8pm)
- Alexander Isak is on the hunt for his first ever Champions League goal for Liverpool.
Alexander Isak has enjoyed a great start to the season, scoring three goals in the Premier league for Liverpool. In fact, he’s already matched his league tally from last season.
The Swede will now be looking to transfer that goalscoring form over to the Champions League. Isak has so far played seven Champions League games for Liverpool without scoring, taking nine shots and hitting the target six times.
His only Champions League goal remains the one he scored for Newcastle against PSG in 2023/24.
Napoli vs Arsenal (Wednesday, 8pm)
- Arsenal are looking to go unbeaten in gameweek 1 for a tenth successive European season.
Arsenal came within touching distance of winning the Champions League last season. They held holders PSG to a 1-1 draw through normal and extra-time, but then lost on penalties.
The Gunners return to the European arena on Wednesday with a tricky test away to Napoli. They can, however, draw on an impressive unbeaten record in the opening game of each of their last nine European campaigns. During this run they have won seven times and drawn twice.
Manchester United vs Sabah (Thursday, 8pm)
- Manchester United will become the first English club to play 300 matches in the Champions League/European Cup.
Manchester United return to the Champions League after two seasons away.
The Red Devils will look to claim the win against Sabah in what will be a historic night for both clubs. United are set to play their 300th match in the Champions League/European Cup, becoming only the sixth club to reach this milestone, and the first from England.
It will also mark the club’s 26th appearance in the Champions League proper, more than any other English club.
As for Sabah, the Azerbaijani side will compete in the league phase for the first time in their history after they progressed through four qualifying rounds.
