Champions League picks, predictions, odds: Manchester City to advance, Real Madrid cruise over Liverpool
The Champions League Round of 16 second legs will wrap up this week with four games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and you can follow all the action on Paramount+. Inter and Manchester City enter their games on Tuesday as favorites, while Real will look to finish off Liverpool on Wednesday and Napoli look to do the same with Eintracht in Frankfurt. At the end of this round, the quarter-finals will take place on 11 April. Here are our predictions for every match and more:
Schedule for Tuesday
(All times US/East)
- UEFA Champions League Today, 15:00, Paramount+
- Porto – Inter, 16:00, Paramount+
- Manchester City – RB Leipzig, 16:00, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League post-match show, 18:00, Paramount+
Broadcast schedule on Wednesday
(All times US/East)
- UEFA Champions League Today, 15:00, Paramount+
- Napoli vs Frankfurt, 16:00, Paramount+
- Real Madrid vs Liverpool, 16:00, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League post-match show, 18:00, Paramount+
Coverage begins each day at 3:00 pm 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
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
One match to watch: Liverpool fell apart in the first leg because it was too easy for Real Madrid to push through a midfield filled with players who were either out of shape or too green for this toughest of tests. After losing 5-2 Fabinho the form bobbed up but then he crashed to the ground against Bournemouth when Liverpool were upset 1–0. Liverpool’s first priority must be a clean slate if he can break the rhythm of the game. Luc Modric then they could keep it close.
Most likely to score: Another one who almost boiled against Bournemouth, Mohamed Salah just got back in shape after 2022, which, by his dizzying standards, was pretty underwhelming. He is starting to find his best role alongside Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunes, and although he is more creative than he has been in the past, he has made many shots at Manchester United. In big games, it starts showing results again.
Man of the Match Choice: One feels that, if only for a moment, Liverpool can give themselves something to believe in. Undoubtedly, they will put all kinds of pressure on the Madrid goal, but if Thibaut Courtois is in a song between clubs, he could be the difference between a great Champions League disappointment and a way to the last eight for the title holders.
Match prediction: Against almost any other team on the pitch, there can be a strong case for players blinking under the pressure and intensity that Liverpool are supposed to bring. But Real Madrid are not inclined to give up, so even though there may be moments of great stress, they must endure a 2-1 defeat, which means reaching the quarter-finals. –James Benj
Napoli vs Eintracht Frankfurt
One Match to Watch: Evan Ndika vs. Hirving Lozano – This duel will be key, as the defender has been one of the best players in the German team this season, but will face Lozano, who, with his pace, can create a lot of problems for the Frankfurt defense. Napoli’s attacking line is definitely a big danger for Frankfurt and Ndika’s play is worth keeping an eye on to see where Wednesday’s game goes.
Likely to score: Victor Osimhen – The Nigerian striker has already scored 21 goals in 27 games this season and also opened the scoring in the first leg in Germany. He has already shown that he can create a lot of problems for the German defense, and we will probably see something similar during the second leg at the Maradona stadium.
Man of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Who else? Quaradonna, as he is now known in Naples, is the hero of the moment as he scored another stunning goal against Atalanta on Saturday. He is a key player behind Napoli’s success this year and has already scored eleven goals in 22 games and provided 11 assists for his teammates.
Match prediction: Napoli should do it fairly easily in the second leg at home as well, and a victory is certainly expected. Choose: Napoli 3, Concorde 0. – Francesco Porcio
Manchester City vs RB Leipzig
One Match to Watch: Phil Foden vs. Marcel Halzenberg. While Foden struggled with Crystal Palace over the weekend, he has been a lighting candle for Manchester City since returning to the squad. Even when he’s not scoring, Foden’s lack of fear causes him to be direct, irritating the opposition’s full-backs. By registering two goals and one assist in his last three matches, Foden will give Pep Guardiola the opportunity to unlock what will be RB Leipzig’s organized defense.
Most likely to score: Erling Haaland — Who else but Holland can go here. When City need a goal, there is no one better to look at than their Norwegian sniper. With 33 goals in all competitions, Haaland is so close to his goals per game average and he could have come close to that mark by scoring a match winner. All Haaland needs is one touch to make it happen. His influence is undeniable.
Man of the match: Rodri. He’s holding a metronome…
Source: www.cbssports.com
