Champions League picks, predictions, odds: Experts split on Chelsea; PSG to get eliminated by Bayern Munich
The road to European dominance continues as the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second legs kick off this week. we’ll see on tuesday Chelsea look to turn the case against Borussia Dortmund while Benfica aims to slam the door on the fight Club Brugge. PSG will face Bayern on Wednesday. Lionel MessiKylian Mbappe and company have their backs against the wall as they try to overcome a 1-0 deficit at Bayern as Tottenham cheer Milan in London.
As always, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be your home for all things UCL.
Here are our predictions for every match and more:
Schedule for Tuesday
(All times US/East)
- UEFA Champions League Today 14:00 CBS and Paramount+
- Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund, 3pm, CBS and Paramount+
- Benfica vs Brugge 15:00, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League after the match Show5 p.m. CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
Broadcast schedule on Wednesday
(All times US/East)
- UEFA Champions League Today 14:00 CBS and Paramount+
- Bayern Munich vs. Paris St. Germain, 3:00 pm, CBS and Paramount+
- Tottenham Hotspur against Milan, 15:00, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League post-match show, 17:00, CBS Sports Network And Paramount+
Coverage starts every day at 14:00. with Champions League Today on CBS and Paramount+. Paramount+ will offer a multicast feature, allowing subscribers to watch two matches at the same time on a split screen. You can try one month for free using the code: ADVANCE.
Match selection
Chelsea vs. Borussia Dortmund
One match to watch: At the time of writing, Chelsea hoped that Rhys James will return in time to take the field at Stamford Bridge, but Graham Potter will need his most important defender to be at his limit if he is to live up to his form Marco Reus, assuming the German take the left flank, as he did in Dortmund’s victory over RB Leipzig. Royce’s own fitness is often fleeting, but when available he is generally worth the wait and has scored two goals and provided three assists. Equally if James can move up the field, whether it’s a full-back or full-back, he can make Reus work more defensively than Edin Terzic would like.
Most likely to score: Even if Chelsea as a team start to create a big attacking threat, it’s hard to find anyone in their team who looks convincing in front of the net. Similar Kai Havertz And Raheem Sterling It can often seem like they are looking for new and more inventive ways to miss while goals may eventually come, it will be crazy what their source predicted. Dortmund tend to be tied for goals, with anyone but four scorers in their last five Bundesliga games. Julian Brandt seems like a tempting choice.
Man of the Match Choice: With a great goalkeeper Gregor Kobel can concede, the Dortmund defense will have to play well to defend Alexander Meyer even if the backup made some smart saves against RB Leipzig. Perhaps the best player in that game was Nico Schlotterbeck, whose impeccable form played a decisive role in Dortmund’s rise to the Bundesliga table.
Match prediction: It looks like Chelsea will dominate possession and territory and that could just open the door for Borussia Dortmund to make them pay for counterattacks, even without Karim Adeyemi. But the minus blues have to warm up in front of the net sooner or later, why not when Graham Potter needs it the most? It might go to extra time, but I think Chelsea can win 3-1 and take the lead.
–James Benj
Club Brugge vs Benfica
One match to watch: midfield battle. Benfica are already leading 2-0 ahead of the decider at home. florentino Louis and Fredrik Orsnes will have a lot of ball during the draw. If they can take Brugge apart with a patient attack, it will be an easy win for Benfica, but if Kamal Owl and Club Brugge’s midfield can upset the situation, a slower pair of Benfischia in the center can be used. It’s certainly not an easy task for Club Brugge, who are superior and away from home, but winning the midfield battle is the only way to win for Club Brugge, even if they end up gaining a man advantage.
Most likely to score: Gonzalo Ramos. Benfica have a balanced attack, but everything leads to Ramos. With 21 goals in all competitions, including five in Champions League play, Ramos was someone Benfica could count on. Even when he doesn’t score, Ramos can influence the game by putting pressure on the defense, but he will have a good chance to beat Simon Mignolet in a tie.
Man of the match: Simon Mignolet. With Club Brugge under pressure during the match, Mignolet will do what he does best to keep the match closed, which shouldn’t be. Only four shots on target in the first leg Belgiumhe’ll have more to do on his outing to Libson.
Match prediction: Already having the lead in the second leg, Benfica will be able to move at their own pace, pushing their way to another 2-0 win that repeats the first leg. While Club Brugge will be knocked out of the Champions League in their first knockout stage appearance, they will be up against a worthy opponent as Benfica quickly rises to the level of one of the best clubs in the world.
– Chuck Booth
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich
Source: www.cbssports.com
