The UEFA Champions League returns for a final round of matches before the new year, with plenty at stake for several European heavyweights. While Liverpool can extend their stay at the top of the league stage table in Tuesday’s game in Girona, there will be several games between teams inside the top eight, including Barcelona’s trip to Borussia Dortmund and Inter’s trip to Bayer Leverkusen. Giants like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also have a chance to turn around their disappointing Champions League games with some pivotal matches this week.
Here’s what the CBS Sports team predicts will happen during another important week in the Champions League.
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Here are our expert picks for this day:
Tuesday
Match of the day: Leverkusen vs. Inter
Player to watch: Stefan de Vrij – Inter’s defense in the Champions League can’t be that good, right? No goals conceded in five games, a schedule that includes England’s two best last season and a Leipzig that also lacks offensive talent. If this defensive magic is going to continue against Leverkusen, we must pay attention to how centre-back De Vrij will excel. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Nicolo Barella – Inter have been one of the best teams this season, partly thanks to the performances of Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella, who is yet to score his first goal in the UEFA Champions League. Inter wants to confirm itself at the top of the standings since it is only two points behind Liverpool. He can make a difference –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Leverkusen 1, Inter 1 – This one features two of the current top eight with the Italians unbeaten so far and likely to stay that way. The Germans have already lost, but they are still competitive and have scored more goals to date than Tuesday’s visitors. Don’t be surprised if it ends in a tied score or a tight home win. -Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Hakan Calhanoglu will have 1+ shot on goal (+110) – This is a match in which the best defenses in the Champions League will face each other and could be decided by set pieces. Maximizing those opportunities is when Calhanoglu, a free kick and long shot artist, comes into focus. He may be more likely to finish with an assist than a goal, but that doesn’t mean his presence won’t be felt in the center of the park during this clash. -Chuck Booth
Atalanta vs. Real Madrid
Player to watch: Jude Bellingham – The high volume of shots has not returned to the level of last season and may never be on a team with Kylian Mbappé. Bellingham, however, has five goals in as many La Liga games after starting the campaign goalless. The England international lives for the biggest occasions and this is the most at stake that Real Madrid were supposed to have in the league phase. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Ademola Lookman – The Nigerian striker, after scoring three goals in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, started the new season in the same spirit, as he scored eight goals in 12 Serie A games and also two goals in four Champions League games. until now. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Atalanta 1, Real 2 – The defending champions need to win again in the Champions League and quickly. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have already beaten the Italians in the UEFA Super Cup, but they will be hoping this match will be a little closer as Los Blancos are on the verge of overtaking them in a match that sees both teams find the bottom of the grid. -Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Kylian Mbappé scores (+150): Atalanta’s defense has been good, but although he is not in his best form with Real Madrid, Mbappé has 11 goals in all competitions. So far, only one of them has come in the Champions League, as not even penalties are automatic for Mbappé. But, with three goals in his last five games, he has enough opportunities to find the back of the net. If you’d rather take less risk, he’s only -130 to take two shots on goal, but it’s worth going for goal with a number like this. -Chuck Booth
Wednesday
Match of the day: Juventus vs. Man City
Player to watch: Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian’s return to City’s starting XI may or may not have solved everything (the jury is out after more points dropped against Crystal Palace) but if anyone is going to liven up what threatens to be a deeply boring affair, it’s It will be De Bruyne. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan – Despite the difficult moment that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is going through, Gundogan is the player that the Spanish coach needs most at the moment due to his experience in the tournament. Juventus is not at its best either and Gundogan can create a lot of problems for the Vecchia Signora defense. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Juve 1, City 1 – Pep Guardiola’s side continue to struggle in poor form and are making life difficult in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Thiago Motta’s Italians are in a similar situation and don’t see too many goals in their games, so expect a low-scoring game in which either team could slip away by a single goal. -Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Under 2.5 goals (-120): I will not bet on goals in games in which Juventus participates. I will not bet on goals in games in which Juventus participates. I… you get the idea. Even without Bremer, this Juventus team simply won’t budge under Thiago Motta and even facing any version of City, they won’t change. It doesn’t hurt to get a draw here at +240, but the under is a little safer. -Chuck Booth
Barcelona vs. Dortmund
Player to watch: Robert Lewandowski – It has to be him, right? Back at the Westfalenstadion, he met the fans who once adored him but now must fear his presence in the rival. In 26 games against Dortmund, Lewandowski has scored 27 goals, but so far he has not yet achieved them in the Barcelona shirt. Given his recent form, you’d back him to add to that tally once again. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha – The Brazilian winger has been great this season and scored five goals in the first five Champions League games and 11 in 17 LaLiga games. He is probably the best player so far on the team coached by Hansi Flick, who returns to Germany on Wednesday. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Dortmund 1, Barcelona 1 – These two teams are neck and neck going into this round of games with the Catalan giants slightly ahead of the Germans due to goal difference despite both recording four wins and one loss. Don’t be surprised if this one ends tied and both teams achieve their first draw of the European campaign, although Barça are the most likely to overcome it if one team manages to win. -Jonathan Johnson
The best bet: Both teams score (-110): Barcelona’s top line has been effective in protecting their defense, but when the offside trap doesn’t work, it’s all too easy to beat the defense in open play. Dortmund are an experienced team that can make Barcelona pay in attack and Barcelona’s attack is too loaded not to score, so it seems a fair price for both to score in the back of the net. -Chuck Booth
