The UEFA Champions League gets underway this week, and the competition sees four teams from the Bundesliga in the mix. We take a look at the opening round of group fixtures and how the German teams match up against their continental opponents, including past meetings.

The opening week could be a tough one for the Bundesliga teams. Three of them are starting their campaign away from home.

FC Bayern München v SL Benfica (A)

Grouped together with Benfica, Ajax Amsterdam and AEK Athens, the reigning Bundesliga champions and 2017/18 semi-finalists kick off their Champions League campaign against Portuguese side SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.

Niko Kovač's men have started the season in good form, but this will be their hardest task. In fact, it will probably be their hardest tie of the group. The Bavarians overcame the Lisbon side in the quarter-finals of the 2015/16 competition, winning 1:0 at the Allianz Arena before drawing the return leg 2:2.

Bayern are yet to lose against last season's Portuguese runners-up. They have played eight times in European competition, winning five and drawing the other three.

Head to Head Record: P8 W5 D3 L0 F19 A6

FC Schalke 04 v FC Porto (H)

Last season's Bundesliga runners-up are up against FC Porto, Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow - on paper, a very winnable group. Like Bayern, they start against Portuguese opposition in the form of last season's Primeira Liga champions Porto.

Domenico Tedesco's side have had a horrific start to the season, and will be looking to get things going in Europe. They have the advantage of paying at home, but two-time Champions Porto have been consistent performers over the years.

Schalke have met Porto four times in European competition, and have the upper hand with two wins, one draw and one defeat. Their last meeting was in the Last 16 of the Champions League in 2007/08, when the Royal Blues triumphed on penalties after both sides had scored 1:0 wins at home.

Head to Head Record: P4 W2 D1 L1 F6 A 5

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v Shakhtar Donetsk (A)

Hoffenheim narrowly missed out on the Champions League group stage last year, but have made it for the first time this season. Their group contains English champions Manchester City, but they will fancy their chances against Olympic Lyonnais and FC Shakhtar Donetsk, where they start their campaign.

After last season's excellent third-place in the Bundesliga, coach Julian Nagelsmann will be looking to but his team's scratchy start behind them. 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar are always among the dark horses, and will be tough to beat.

This will be the first meeting between Hoffenheim and the Ukrainian champions.

Borussia Dortmund v Club Brugge KV (A)

After last season's group stage elimination, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to make a far better impression in this year's competition. Like local rivals Schalke, they are in a very workable group that includes Atlético de Madrid, AS Monaco and opening night opponents Club Brugge KV.

Lucien Favre's side have made a solid but not spectacular start to the season, but should have too much firepower for the 15-time Belgian champions, even away from home. But then, we have said this before in previous seasons.

Dortmund and Brugge have met four times in European Competition, the last time in the Champions League qualification round in 2003/04. The overall record is dead level: four games played, with two wins each.

Head to Head Record: P4 W2 D0 L2 F6 A8