UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday with another dozen high-stakes video games, and an equally high-profile sequence of redemption arcs ready to be crafted.
Bayern Munich’s trip to Barcelona on Wednesday headlines the matchday three action, a narrative-heavy showdown that presents the possibility of Barcelona’s Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski keeping their former club. Those teams, however, are two of several EU heavyweights that have already lost trouble in the tournament, a list that includes the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
The concern of the European elites this time will be to get back on track and the match schedule favors some, but others may not find it so easy.
Before the action begins, here’s a look at the CBSSports.com team’s pro picks and predictions.
Don’t be left out of any Champions League. As always, you can enjoy all of our coverage on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network all season long.
Listed below are our pro picks. for this day:
Tuesday
Aston Villa vs. Bologna
Participant to watch: Lucas Digne – He may not be the big name in this Villa side, but Digne will have to do something right if he is to protect Ian Maatsen out of the side. Against Fulham he showed what that was. His crossing has always been a decent weapon, but the way he smothered Adama Traoré spoke clearly of Digne’s defensive expansion under Unai Emery.–James Benge
The guy who fits: Ollie Watkins. Subsequently scoring five goals in the first eight games of the Premier League season, the England striker is yet to earn his first role in their Champions League campaign and the game against Bologna is his chance to do so. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Villa 2-1 Bologna — It has been a dream start to a UEFA Champions League future for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa with wins over Young Boys and Bayern Munich. In Bologna, they face an Italian team that was rebuilt over the summer and is still adjusting to being in the EU tournament. Hopefully the Premier League team will emerge victorious, even if it is a narrow victory. -Jonathan Johnson
Absolute best guess: Ollie Watkins will hit (+140) — Aston Villa must win the reserve matches due to the fact that Bologna are struggling to regularize themselves to play Champions League matches after losing their coach and key players to their team during the summer, but it is not a good idea to drink the juice. a cash layout plays games, especially when age may be able to be negotiated for Villa’s talisman to win at more favorable odds. Everything Aston Villa does is in motion, Ollie Watkins and his movement will allow dimension to shape things happen against the Italian team. — Chuck sales space
Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Participant to watch: Serhou Guirassy — There was some skepticism that Borussia Dortmund had overpaid for a great Bundesliga season after paying almost $20 million for 28 games used. Guirassy, on the other hand, looks to be a shrewd investment with seven goals to his name in the Bundesliga and Champions League so far, including a late winner against St Pauli at the weekend. He will take a lot of shots, more than four per 90 Bundesliga minutes, and may try to test a Real Madrid defense that is not yet fully figured out. –James Benge
The guy who fits: Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid star is facing his former team and there are many expectations surrounding his performance against Nuri Sahin’s team. Bellingham is yet to earn his first role of the season and has only offered one assist so far in all competitions as of today. The confrontation against the club where he made himself known is the best opportunity to demonstrate his season performance. . –Franesco Porzio
Prediction: Real 2-1 Dortmund — A rematch of the end of the final event and so far it has changed on all sides. Borussia Dortmund has started the league phase with an extremely clean age. Real is taking a long time to disappear and is already lost. The Germans’ profitable streak will not continue here, although a draw at the Santiago Bernabéu cannot be ruled out. Hopefully this one goes the hosts’ way, though… -Jonathan Johnson
Absolute guess: Real Madrid scores in both halves (-106) — There is nothing Borussia Dortmund likes more than attacking behind the 8 ball. In recent years, they have been allowing goals from the goal against weaker opponents and, against a Real Madrid team that is starting to solidify , it will not be recovered temporarily. Los Blancos have work to get the chemistry right, but Kylian Mbappé has found his feet, which means that every attack is an opportunity to achieve a role. They won’t push for more goals than they need, but Dortmund will do enough to make up Carlo Ancelotti’s men’s team in both halves. — Chuck sales space
Wednesday
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich
Participant to watch: Raphinha — Some of the easiest players in Europe so far this season, no one in the Los Angeles League comes close to matching the 36 chances created by the Brazilian (the second easiest, Alex Baena, has 27). Line up as a group of 10 against a Bayern Munich team that isn’t actually using their top defensive midfielder? This could be fun. –James Benge
The guy that fits: Lamine Yamal. Hansi Flick’s team is in high spirits after a successful victory against Sevilla over the weekend, where midfielder Gavi also returned after trauma. Against the Blaugrana coach’s previous side, we believe Lamine Yamal will shine and put pressure on his teammates to win against the German giants. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Bayern. Any of these sides have already lost once and will want to avoid a second defeat in three games, which is unprecedented for the Bavarians. Hansi Flick knows Bayern well, but the Germans will also know what to expect from their side. The Catalan giants have been prolific since the start of the season, but not playing at the Camp Nou is a problem for this type of game. A comical ranking draw seems appropriate here. -Jonathan Johnson
Absolute best guess: Robert Lewandowski will score (+113) — This is not a revenge game problem because they are not real, but rather a realization that everything for Barcelona is happening because of the former Bayern Munich player. I was excited about the future under Hansi Flick because of how aggressive the Barcelona manager is and it has paid off with 14 goals in 12 games in all competitions at the start of the season. Bayern Munich’s attack is also excellent, but their defense leans and that is where Barcelona will make them pay. — Chuck sales space
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool
Participant to watch: Benjamin Sesko — One suspects this will not be the last generation Premier League fans see Sesko in action. The Slovenian has made a dazzling start to two games for RB Leipzig and appears like a handful in particular in the Champions League, where he has scored part of his six goals. He also – and it is a reason to watch him carefully – kicks a soccer ball ostentatiously tanned by the sun. –James Benge
The guy who fits: Mo Salah. The Liverpool winger is having a great start to the season, having scored five goals in eight Premier League games and has one assisted in the two Champions League games played so far. The match against RB Leipzig is the easiest game to achieve any other and force your team to another EU victory. –Francisco Porzio
Prediction: RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool — The Reds are one of seven teams with two wins in two years, while the Germans are in fact one of the slowest starters with zero problems in two games. Liverpool have a tough game ahead, but Arne Slot’s men will need to have enough firepower to get the goals they need for victory in Germany. A draw wouldn’t be too unexpected, but the Premier League giants will have to overcome it. -Jonathan Johnson
Absolute best estimate: Liverpool will win (-120): It does not condition the competition, if winning Liverpool is a relaxed amount, it is a virtue. The Reds have passed the toughest test of the season so far with Arne Slot and RB Leipzig cannot control the games. With Liverpool’s consistency and the presence of Mohamed Salah, all the Reds want to do is take advantage of the opportunities they will be given and this will have to be a complete victory.
