The UEFA Champions League returns for one ultimate spherical of matches earlier than the brand new yr, with a lot at stake for a number of European heavy-hitters. Whereas Liverpool can lengthen their keep atop the league section desk in Tuesday’s recreation at Girona, there shall be a number of video games between groups inside the highest eight, together with Barcelona’s journey to Borussia Dortmund and Inter’s journey to Bayer Leverkusen. Giants like Manchester Metropolis, Actual Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain even have an opportunity to right course on their underwhelming Champions League video games with some pivotal video games this week.
Here is what the CBS Sports activities workforce predicts will happen throughout one other consequential week within the Champions League.
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Listed here are our knowledgeable picks for this matchday:
Tuesday
Sport of the day: Leverkusen vs. Inter
Participant to observe: Stefan de Vrij – Inter’s Champions League protection cannot be this good, can it? Not a objective conceded by way of 5 matches, a fixture record that encompasses England’s high two final season and a Leipzig facet not quick on attacking expertise both. If this defensive magic goes to proceed towards Leverkusen, look ahead to central centerback De Vrij to excel. –– James Benge
Man of the match: Nicolo Barella – Inter have been probably the greatest groups this season, partially because of the performances of Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella who’s but to attain his first objective within the UEFA Champions League. Inter need to affirm themselves on the high spots of the desk as they’re solely two factors away from Liverpool. He could make all of the distinction — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Leverkusen 1, Inter 1 — This one options two of the present high eight with the Italians unbeaten up to now and more likely to keep that means. The Germans have already misplaced however they do stay aggressive and have scored greater than Tuesday’s guests up to now. Don’t be stunned if it finishes degree in a rating draw or a slender house win. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Hakan Calhanoglu to have 1+ shot on track (+110) – This can be a match the place the highest defenses in Champions League will meet and it may very well be outlined by set items. With maximizing these alternatives, that is when Calhanoglu, a free kick and long-shot artist comes into focus. He could also be extra more likely to find yourself with an help than a objective however that does not imply that his presence will not be felt within the heart of the park throughout this conflict. — Chuck Sales space
Atalanta vs. Actual Madrid
Participant to observe: Jude Bellingham – The sheer quantity of pictures is not again to the place it was final season and maybe it by no means shall be in a workforce with Kylian Mbappe. Bellingham, nevertheless, has 5 targets in as many La Liga video games after beginning the marketing campaign scoreless. The England worldwide lives for the most important events and that is about as excessive stakes because the league section was ever imagined to get for Actual Madrid. –– James Benge
Man of the match: Ademola Lookman – The Nigerian striker, after scoring three targets within the 2024 UEFA Europa League ultimate towards Bayer Leverkusen, began the brand new season with the identical spirit as he already scored eight targets in 12 Serie A video games and in addition two targets in 4 Champions League matches up to now. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Atalanta 1, Actual 2 — The defending champions have to get again to successful methods within the Champions League and quick. Carlo Ancelotti’s males already noticed off the Italians within the UEFA Tremendous Cup however count on this encounter to be a bit nearer with Los Blancos nearly edging it in a recreation the place each side discover the again of the online. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Kylian Mbappe to attain (+150): Atalanta’s protection has been good however even whereas not hitting high type for Actual Madrid, Mbappe has 11 targets in all competitions. Solely a type of has are available Champions League play as far as even penalties aren’t computerized for Mbappe. However, with three targets in his final 5 matches, there’s sufficient of a chance for him to seek out the again of the online. In case you’d choose much less threat, he is solely -130 to place two pictures on track but it surely’s price going for the objective at a quantity like this. — Chuck Sales space
Wednesday
Sport of the day: Juventus vs. Man Metropolis
Participant to observe: Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian’s return to the Metropolis beginning XI might or might not have merely mounted every thing – the jury is out after extra dropped factors towards Crystal Palace – but when anybody goes to enliven what threatens to be a deeply uninteresting affair, will probably be De Bruyne. –– James Benge
Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan – Regardless of the tough second Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis are dealing with, Gundogan is the participant that the Spanish supervisor wants most proper now because of his expertise within the event. Juventus are usually not residing their greatest second as properly, and Gundogan can create quite a lot of issues for the Vecchia Signora’s protection. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Juve 1, Metropolis 1 — Pep Guardiola’s facet proceed to battle by way of poor type and are making life robust for themselves in each the Premier League in addition to the Champions League. Thiago Motta’s Italians are equally positioned and don’t see too many targets of their video games so count on a reasonably low-scoring affair which both facet may sneak by a single objective. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Underneath 2.5 targets (-120): I cannot guess targets in video games involving Juventus. I cannot guess targets in video games involving Juventus. I … you get the thought. Even with out Bremer, this Juventus facet simply would not concede below Thiago Motta and even dealing with no matter model of Metropolis that is, it will not change. It would not harm to sprinkle a draw right here at +240 however the below is a bit safer. — Chuck Sales space
Barcelona vs. Dortmund
Participant to observe: Robert Lewandowski – It needs to be him, would not it? Again on the Westfalenstadion, reunited with the followers who as soon as adored him however now should dread his presence on the opposition. In 26 video games towards Dortmund, Lewandowski has 27 targets, however up to now he has but to fulfill them in a Barcelona shirt. Given his current type, you’d again him so as to add to that tally as soon as extra. –– James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha – The Brazilian winger has been nice this season and scored 5 targets within the first 5 Champions League matches, and 11 in 17 LaLiga video games. He is in all probability the perfect participant up to now for the facet coached by Hansi Flick, who’s making his return to Germany on Wednesday. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Dortmund 1, Barcelona 1 — These two sides are neck and neck coming into this spherical of video games with the Catalan giants barely forward of the Germans because of objective distinction regardless of each posting 4 wins and one loss. Don’t be stunned if this one finishes degree and each side get their first draw of the European marketing campaign though Barca are the most probably to edge it if one facet does come out on high. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Each groups to attain (-110): Barcelona’s excessive line has been efficient at defending their protection however when the offside entice would not work, it is too simple to beat the protection from open play. Dortmund are an skilled workforce that may make Barcelona pay in assault and Barcelona’s assault is simply too loaded to not rating so it looks like a good value to get each hitting the again of the online. — Chuck Sales space
