From Actual Madrid’s journey to Kazakhstan to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea return with Benfica, Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League is jam-packed with loads of intrigue however the theme of the week simply could be the chance to bounce again as a number of European heavyweights return to play after weekend losses.
That is true for Chelsea, who’ve simply three wins in eight video games throughout all competitions this season, lots of their matches marred by purple playing cards or their sputtering assault. There’s mounting stress on supervisor Enzo Maresca to discover a successful mixture of gamers after the membership spent thousands and thousands on their perennially bloated squad, all whereas Mourinho’s Chelsea legacy looms giant over the matchup. Fellow English facet Liverpool, in the meantime, registered their first defeat of the season on Saturday after a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace, renewing questions on whether or not or not their uber-attacking technique is the appropriate one for a title cost at residence and in Europe.
On Wednesday, the eye pivots to 2 groups who got here from behind to win over the weekend — Barcelona and Arsenal. The Gunners scored two late objectives at Newcastle United and can now goal their second win of the league part once they tackle Olympiacos, whereas Barcelona host reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in Matchday 2’s most anticipated match. The sport in Barcelona is as high-profile because it will get, either side goal successful the entire thing this season, making this an early check of every facet’s mettle.
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The CBS Sports activities crew presents their professional picks and predictions. Have a look beneath.
Tuesday
Sport of the day: Chelsea vs. Benfica
Supervisor to look at: Jose Mourinho, Benfica: Format, schmormat. This part is meant to be about essentially the most intriguing, magnetic and game-changing man on the pitch and are available on, everyone knows what that’s. The Particular One has returned and he’s positive to get the warmest of receptions. Will he spoil that by snaring the factors at his happiest of searching grounds? Will he be capable of summon up a type of nasty mid blocks that he specialised in throughout his time at Chelsea? Will this guy be able to give Mourinho a big hug? These, reasonably than any trifling issues involving the 22 gamers, are the questions that may outline my Tuesday evening. — James Benge
Man of the match: Estevao, Chelsea: The Brazilian striker joined Chelsea this summer time from Palmeiras for greater than $70 million, and there are a variety of expectation across the 18-year outdated forward of the match in opposition to Benfica as a result of damage of Cole Palmer and the disappointing type of the facet coached by Enzo Maresca. Estevao is but to attain his first purpose on the membership and the sport in opposition to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica is the second he can shine. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Chelsea 1, Benfica 1 – The narrative looming over this recreation may truly be extra attention-grabbing than the sport itself. Talisman Vangelis Pavlidis has the products to place Benfica on the board, however the sum of the crew’s elements will not be sufficient to take all three factors out of Stamford Bridge, whereas Chelsea’s inconsistency alerts that they could not have what it takes to string collectively a convincing win at this level within the season. Settling for a draw looks like essentially the most cheap consequence for 2 groups in transition, even when it will not be essentially the most entertaining technique to spend 90 minutes. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest guess: Each groups to attain and over 2.5 objectives (-105): Matches are catching as much as Chelsea, and it is hurting their defensive energy. Whereas video games coached by Jose Mourinho are usually low scoring affairs, this return to Stamford Bridge is one the place that will not be the case. Every of Chelsea’s final 5 matches have seen each groups discover the again of the web and over 2.5 objectives scored, whereas Benfica have been good at permitting a minimum of a purpose themselves in matches. Put that along with two prime forwards on every crew in Joao Pedro and Vangelis Pavlidis, and objectives will likely be scored. — Charles Sales space
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Participant to look at: Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray: Liverpool have had their palms full defensively this season and thus far they have not run into any strikers fairly as harmful as Osimhen simply but. The Nigerian had been sidelined after an ankle ligament situation within the worldwide break however featured off the bench in opposition to Alanyaspor on Friday. Osimhen’s ease getting across the pitch, his threatening runs on the deck and sheer energy within the air might trigger all types of issues for Ibrahima Konate. Maybe even for Virgil van Dijk. — James Benge
Man of the match: Mo Salah, Liverpool: The striker is predicted to ship one in every of his exceptional performances in opposition to the Turkish facet on Tuesday when Liverpool will meet Galatasaray away. Salah, who already scored within the Champions League opener in opposition to Atletico Madrid at Anfield, is among the best gamers within the historical past of the European match and he is referred to as to present it once more this week. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Galatasaray 1, Liverpool 2 – Few would argue that Liverpool seem like a balanced crew, which may really feel like a recipe for catastrophe for title-chasing groups. There’s an expectation that, sooner or later, the Reds will cease getting away with this and Saturday’s loss at Crystal Palace may be the primary sign of that. Alternatively, one can not truly depend out a crew that has goalscorers who can bail them out of hassle at any given second so betting in opposition to them in a recreation the place they’re favored could not truly be the wisest factor. Now that Alexander Isak is getting in control, it solely reinforces the perfect elements of their unbalanced technique, too. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest guess: Victor Osimhen to attain (+150): Going away to face Galatasaray isn’t any joke, and Liverpool will discover that out shortly on this conflict. It could possibly be a excessive scoring affair given the energy of those offenses, however like Benge wrote, all eyes are on Osimhen right here. The Nigerian ahead has been out and in of the lineup with accidents, however he’ll be able to go for the UCL lights. The cracks are starting to be exploited within the Liverpool protection, and that may result in Osimhen scoring a minimum of as soon as on Tuesday.
— Charles Sales space
Wednesday
Sport of the day: Barcelona vs. PSG
Participant to look at: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona: To place it mildly, there are a number of choices right here. That is the ultimate that the neutrals needed final season rerun for the league part, in spite of everything. And what a pleasure will probably be to see Yamal on the pitch after he returned from damage in opposition to Actual Sociedad on the weekend. It did not take lengthy for him to make an impression then, delivering the help for Robert Lewandowski‘s winner. If we’ve got realized something from the early years of his profession thus far, he may simply do the identical this week. — James Benge
Man of the match: Achraf Hakimi, PSG — The Moroccan winger can shine in opposition to Barcelona on Wednesday, because the French giants are more likely to profit from the areas left by the Spanish crew once they assault. As we will seemingly count on quite a bit objectives on this recreation, Hakimi is a type of gamers who can reap the benefits of this tactical scenario. He is nonetheless on the lookout for his first purpose of the season, and these are the sorts of matches that showcase his qualities.. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 2, Paris Saint-Germain 2 – This might have been a really thrilling Champions League closing 4 months in the past however on this case, this fixture simply could also be higher late than by no means. Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain could also be with out Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Demblee however they nonetheless pack loads of attacking punch, which is exceptional provided that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia can be questionable, whereas Lamine Yamal appears destined to reside as much as the event for Barcelona. A draw appears becoming at this early stage of the season between two top-tier sides who’re prepared and capable of make this one of many league part’s most entertaining matches. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest guess: Lamine Yamal to have 2+ photographs on track (+130): Lamine Yamal is field workplace viewing. If you may get it, it is value laddering his photographs from exterior the field, as Yamal hasn’t met a shot that he would not like, and he has the imaginative and prescient and talent to place all of them on body. If PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier is not on his recreation, Yamal will find yourself scoring a purpose, however with Raphinha lacking out, the Barcelona man could have loads of alternatives to tear photographs on this one.
— Charles Sales space
Sport of the day: Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
Participant to look at: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal: It has been a irritating begin to the season for the Arsenal captain, who suffered two separate shoulder accidents within the first 4 video games of the season, however his transient cameo away to Newcastle was an indication of his enduring high quality. The slide rule cross that discovered Myles-Lewis Skelly behind the backline was a selected pleasure as Odegaard instantly obtained Arsenal taking part in at a better tempo. Now he might want to do the identical for himself with a superb run of minutes on the Emirates. — James Benge
Man of the match: Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal: After scoring three objectives within the opening six Premier League matches, the previous Sporting CP striker is now seeking to rating additionally his first European purpose with the Gunners. The house recreation in opposition to Olympiacos is the proper alternative to make that occur and present why Mikel Arteta needed to signal him even earlier than the summer time when he joined the English crew. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Arsenal 3, Olympiacos 0 – Arsenal have spent thousands and thousands on high quality depth within the pursuit of successful main trophies, so count on to see a high-impact efficiency on Wednesday no matter who Mikel Arteta selects for the beginning lineup. The Gunners could also be identified for his or her defense-first tendencies however in video games the place they’re the clear favorites, they’ve been unflinching of their capacity to run up the rating so a lopsided win feels seemingly as they aim two wins in two to start out the league part. — Pardeep Cattry
Finest guess: Arsenal to win 1-0, 2-0, or 3-0 (+150): The Gunners have showcased that they once more have top-of-the-line defenses on the earth throughout the younger season, and welcoming Olympiacos to their residence, it is exhausting to see them conceding a purpose. That concentrate on protection has seen Arsenal not run up the rating as a lot as they might in matches thus far this season, which is the place this can be a match that might cap out at them scoring three objectives in a snug residence victory.
— Charles Sales space
