The UEFA Champions League returns to motion this midweek as Matchday 3 arrives with loads of big-time matchups between a few of the most notable names in European soccer. You’ll be able to catch all of the matches on Paramount+.
Arsenal look to maintain their scorching begin to the season going in opposition to feisty Atletico Madrid on Tuesday whereas Wednesday’s slate is highlighted by Juventus’ journey to Actual Madrid.
Bayern Munich, Actual Madrid, PSG and Inter are excellent to start out the season and look unstoppable. Liverpool, Chelsea, Napoli and Barcelona? Not a lot, and due to early defeats and with six video games to go, each slip may value them within the league part.
Knowledgeable picks are in from the CBS Sports activities soccer editorial workers. Dive into the predictions under.
Do not miss any of the Champions League. As all the time, you may catch all of our protection throughout Paramount+, CBS Sports activities Community and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community all season lengthy.
Champions League matches on Tuesday
Recreation of the day: Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid, 3 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s midfield maestro has been excellent since his arrival from Actual Sociedad and can certainly really feel comfortable welcoming his countrymen to north London. Zubimendi has not been fairly as possession dominant as is perhaps anticipated of a Spanish deep-lying playmaker, however has as a substitute centered on giving fast ball to these forward of him, the type that get Arsenal transferring dangerously up the sphere. — James Benge
Man of the match: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: We will count on a tricky problem for the strikers in opposition to the protection organized by Argentine supervisor Diego Simeone on Tuesday, and that is exactly why a participant like Bukayo Saka may show essential in one-on-one conditions and attacking transitions. Saka, who already scored one objective within the Champions League’s match in opposition to Olympiacos might be that sort of attacking participant. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Atletico Madrid 1 — In a matchup between a group with a just about impenetrable protection and one other that depends on its assault to outlive, Arsenal’s clever wager on defensive resolve seems to be set to repay. Atletico’s Julian Alvarez is the kind of goalscorer that may get previous even the perfect again line and the Gunners should have inquiries to reply about which of them of their many attackers are literally the best, however the Gunners’ different massive wager on depth ought to repay irrespective of who begins. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest wager: Bukayo Saka to attain or help (+240): This season hasn’t been as much as Saka’s common excessive requirements with solely three objectives in his first eight appearances of the season with no assists but, however he’ll have his probabilities at dwelling dealing with Atletico Madrid. This is not the standard defensively stout Atleti facet, and even when Viktor Gyokeres is not placing away probabilities that Saka creates, the house that the Swedish striker supplies will give Saka probabilities to attain on his personal and care for clearing this line in a sport which Arsenal will win. — Chuck Sales space
Barcelona vs. Olympiacos, 12:45 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Marcus Rashford, Barcelona: The stress is on Barcelona’s mortgage signing, who it ought to be famous has delivered the form of performances many suspected may need been past him after he left Manchester United on mortgage. With no Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal nonetheless working his method again to full health, the stress shall be on Rashford to ship photographs in addition to create for his group mates. — James Benge
Man of the match: Pedri, Barcelona — The Spanish midfielder is essentially the most artistic midfielder of the facet coached by Hansi Flick and that is the sort of matches had been his qualities can develop into essential for the Blaugrana. As Barcelona are anticipated to dominate the sport that shall be performed on the Lluis Companys, he can develop into the participant who can assist the strikers to attain some objectives. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 4, Olympiacos 0 — Barcelona are the heavy favorites on this match for a purpose, so count on the Champions League hopefuls to behave accordingly. Lamine Yamal appears more likely to play a large function however for a sport like this one, supervisor Hansi Flick shall be spoiled for alternative together with his attacking choices, every of them able to ending off their probabilities agianst the Greek guests. Anticipated a lopsided victory for the reigning LaLiga champions because it chases a second Champions League win of the season. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest wager: First half over 1.5 objectives (-110): Barcelona ought to look to create probabilities shortly, which favors each them and Olympiacos. The Greek facet could solely have counter attacking alternatives on the day, so why not assault the primary half objectives market. The best way Barcelona performs with a excessive line beneath Hansi Flick implies that objectives will are available bunches from someplace, and with Lamine Yamal again within the XI, odds are within the Spanish facet’s favor. — Chuck Sales space
Champions League matches on Wednesday
Recreation of the day: Actual Madrid vs. Juventus, 3 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Jonathan David, Juventus: A yr in the past, David was the hero when Lille downed Actual Madrid within the league part. He faces off in opposition to the Spanish giants, this time desperately needing to indicate he’s something just like the form of striker who can match the output of Kylian Mbappe in European competitions, like he did final season. To this point, he is not getting shut. Only one shot on course to date this season and nil photographs of any selection in again to again begins in opposition to AC Milan and Como. The bar may scarcely be decrease. — James Benge
Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe, Actual Madrid — Juventus are at present going by means of a difficult second they usually want a optimistic outcome, but it surely will not be straightforward in opposition to Actual Madrid. Specifically, their disappointing defensive performances shall be challenged by French striker Kylian Mbappe, who already scored 15 objectives in 11 matches performed to date in all competitions, together with a hat trick in opposition to Kairat within the opening fixture of the season. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Actual Madrid 3, Juventus 1 — Xabi Alonso’s model of Actual Madrid is actually an train in restrained effectivity so modest scorelines come extra naturally to Los Blancos today than lopsided victories, however they will make a uncommon exception they usually simply would possibly achieve this on Wednesday. Juventus are a bit everywhere to start out the season, which can make it open season for Kylian Mbappe and his colleagues as they give the impression of being to increase their excellent begin to Champions League play. Alonso has a variety of attackers at his disposal, too, every of them most likely wanting to make their mark in Europe because the supervisor continues to rotate by means of his choices whereas leaving Mbappe entrance and heart. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest wager: Each groups to attain and Actual Madrid to win (+187): They’ve an excessive amount of on the attacking finish for Juventus to beat, particularly if Italian facet could not deal with Como away from dwelling over the weekend. However Xabi Alonso’s protection has additionally given up probabilities and with gifted attackers like Kenan Yildiz, Juventus will discover a strategy to get one objective. Sadly as soon as they do, they need to cope with stopping Kylian Mbappe. — Chuck Sales space
Chelsea vs. Ajax, 3 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Pedro Neto, Chelsea: Enzo Maresca could possibly be with no host of key attackers on Wednesday, together with Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and doubtlessly Enzo Fernandez. Somebody goes to wish to step up of their absence and Neto would possibly simply be essentially the most senior ahead within the Chelsea XI at kickoff. The Portugal winger has not come near a constant run of kind which may justify the $70 million plus that was paid to Wolves for his companies. Nevertheless, a sprightly sport in opposition to Nottingham Forest is no less than one thing to construct on. — James Benge
Man of the match: Estevao, Chelsea: The gifted Brazilian striker is predicted to start out his first ever Champions League’s match on Wednesday after taking part in 45 minutes between the sport in opposition to Benfica and the one in opposition to Bayern Munich. Match after match, he is changing into an more and more essential a part of Enzo Maresca’s rotations, having additionally scored a last-minute winner in opposition to Liverpool. Now, he seems to be able to take the subsequent step and make his mark on the European stage. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Chelsea 3, Ajax 0 — There is no such thing as a larger deal with for a group in inconsistent kind than an opponent that may enable them to reverse course, even when the enjoyment solely lasts for 90 minutes. Chelsea could have some accidents to cope with and a behavior for selecting up crimson playing cards that hampers their skill to win video games extra usually than it ought to, however Ajax have been extremely unimpressive of their first Champions League season in three years, having conceded six objectives in two video games whereas scoring none, susceptible on set items and mistake-prone on the again. The Blues simply punished Nottingham Forest for having related attributes over the weekend, so count on Enzo Maresca’s facet to gather their second win of the European season within the course of. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest wager: Chelsea to win to nil (+120): Whereas the Blues have had their ups and downs this season, this iteration of Ajax seems to be nothing like those who used to problem for the spherical of 16 each marketing campaign in Champions League play. Chelsea’s protection and former Ajax man Jorrel Hato will have the ability to care for enterprise successful at dwelling at Stamford Bridge for a a lot wanted three factors within the league part. — Chuck Sales space
