UEFA Champions League returns this week For the first playoff playoffs of the competition, when some of the best teams in Europe will face each other for a place in the 16 round.
Heading the action will be Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid, since the last two winners of the Duke Duke Champions League for a place in the next round, although other European heavyweights will also have the opportunity to show their value In the coming weeks. The list includes Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, while a handful of clubs have new striking signings during the winter transfer window to present, hoping to be able to mark their first weeks in their new teams with shocking performances.
Before the action of the first stage, here is a lot of selections and predictions of the CBS sports team.
Do not miss any of the Champions League. As always, you can catch all our coverage in Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network throughout the season.
Here are our expert selections for this first day:
Tuesday Champions League Pizarra
Juventus vs. PSV
Player to see: Walter Benítez – Compared to the team last season, which swept everything in the Eredivisie, this PSV iteration seems completely more vulnerable. The 24 goals that have granted in the highest Dutch category are already three more than they allowed throughout last season and only have a clean sheet in nine games in 2025. In summary, Even Juventus I could have the opportunity to score here. Benítez, however, served reasonably well in the phase of the league. Keep that and PSV has a chance. – James Bege
Man of the phosphorus: Randal Kolo Muani – The French striker has had an excellent beginning with Juventus, after the Italian giants signed him on loan until the end of the PSG season. In his first three games at the club, he already scored five goals, including an orthopedic device against how. – Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Juve 2, PSV 0 – With Randal Kolo Muani in excellent early form with the old woman, her threat of attack was renewed, so she hopes to be shown on both legs against Dutch giants. While the Frenchman has that strong impulse, do not be surprised if he scores one or both goals here. – Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Randal Kolo Muani to score (+210) – Juventus needed a focal point in the attack in the worst way and with the arrival of Kolo Muani of the PSG, now they have one. The PSV is a solid side, but its defense can leave space to exploit what Kolo Muani will take advantage of. He has been scoring for fun since he joined the Italian outfit and is now registered for the Champions League game, will show why it is perfect for Thiago Motta’s configuration. – Chuck Booth
Man City vs. real Madrid
Player to see: Raúl Asencio – With only 21 years of age, the young back center has stood out under great pressure, taking a step forward in the middle of a crisis of injuries that seems to be at its worst time at this time, with Antonio Rudiger and David praised stopped side. Asencio is likely to be flanked by midfielders: Federico Valverde on the right, Aurelien Tchouameni in the left center from behind. You will need to do things with maturity beyond your years. – James Bege
Party Man: Vinicius Jr. – The Brazilian star will combine with Kylian Mbappe in the line of attack of the visiting team, which promises to be one of the most anticipated clashes in the entire tournament. These are the type of games that is generally expressed at its best. – Francesco Porzio
Prediction: City 1, Real 1 – This promises to be tight on two legs with a great guaranteed name to leave the Champions League. Given the high bets, this will probably be decided in the second leg, so wait for a score raffle to keep interesting things before the game back in Madrid next week. – Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Real Madrid money line (+185) – It is rare that you can get a team like Real Madrid in Plus Odds to win a game and, although they can be facing Manchester City, this is not the solid city of yesteryear. This is a team that is suspicious defensive and capable of winning in a certain week. It will be a closed tie, especially with Antonio Rudiger losing, but you have to support Real Madrid to do the job. – Chuck Booth
Wednesday Champions League Pizarra
Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
Player to see: Nicolas Kuhn – The last thing in what is a line of outstanding collection of Celtic, Kuhn, will undoubtedly raise his game at the club, where he could not obtain the qualification at age 20. Drift from the right, seek to prove the weakest space of Alphonso Davies. – James Bege
Party Man: Harry Kane – The English is accustomed to playing this type of games and has already scored six goals so far in the UEFA Champions League, and has 21 in the first 19 Games of the German Bundesliga. If Bayern wants to move on to the next round, they desperately need Kane at their best. – Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Celtic 0, Bayern 2 – This has the creation of a strong added success of Bayern, so I expect to see the Germans seek to put the daylight between them and their hosts from the beginning. A multi -goal winning margin sounds to the right, which will position the Bundesliga giants to dominate at home next week. – Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Harry Kane to score (-135)- Celtic and Bayern Munich play very open styles, which means that many opportunities are approaching. A veteran of the Champions League, Bayern will trust him to take them to the next round and make his part to score some goals to win the tie. – Chuck Booth
Feyenoord vs. Milan
Player to see: Santiago Giménez – It will be as if I never left! Nine days after signing his contract with Milan, Giménez will return to De Kuip. Since he has already reached a rich vein of shape in his new colors, a goal and assistance in his first two games, he looks like a probable holder and one who will not need to remember where the goal is. – James Bege
Party Man: Christian Pulisic – After providing two assists in the last clash of Milan Serie A against Empoli, including one for the first goal scored by Giménez, Pulisic is also called to also deliver against the Dutch side. The American-Mexican duo is working well so far, showing a lot of potential for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. . – Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Feyenoord 1, Milan 1 – It is likely that this will be tight and kept alive for the return section in Italy next week. The Giants of Serie A were busy in the winter window making a series of changes, including the arrival of Santiago Giménez from Feyenoord, as well as the addition of Joao Felix. Sergio Concicao will take time to bed them all so that a score raffle can be a good cry here. – Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Christian Pulisic to write or help (+125) – It is a Concacaf issue with Santiago Giménez joining Pulisic to provide another focal point to the attack. It is something that makes Milan a more dangerous attack, but also allows Pulisic to be more a creator, since there will be other reliable scorers in the attack. With that as an option, getting the American in more likely to get involved in a goal is a solid game for a great game player. – Chuck Booth
Knockout phase playoff television calendar
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