The UEFA Champions League returns to motion this midweek as Matchday 3 arrives with loads of big-time matchups between among the most notable names in European soccer. You possibly can catch all of the matches on Paramount+.
Arsenal look to maintain their sizzling begin to the season going towards 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 good 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 might price them within the league section.
Professional picks are in from the CBS Sports activities soccer editorial employees. Dive into the predictions under.
Do not miss any of the Champions League. As at all times, you may catch all of our protection throughout Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community all season lengthy.
Champions League matches on Tuesday
Sport 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 comfy welcoming his countrymen to north London. Zubimendi has not been fairly as possession dominant as could be anticipated of a Spanish deep-lying playmaker, however has as an alternative targeted on giving fast ball to these forward of him, the kind that get Arsenal transferring dangerously up the sector. — James Benge
Man of the match: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: We will count on a tricky problem for the strikers towards the protection organized by Argentine supervisor Diego Simeone on Tuesday, and that is exactly why a participant like Bukayo Saka might show essential in one-on-one conditions and attacking transitions. Saka, who already scored one aim within the Champions League’s match towards Olympiacos may be that sort of attacking participant. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Atletico Madrid 1 — In a matchup between a group with a nearly impenetrable protection and one other that depends on its assault to outlive, Arsenal’s clever guess on defensive resolve appears to be like set to repay. Atletico’s Julian Alvarez is the kind of goalscorer that may get previous even the most effective again line and the Gunners should have inquiries to reply about which of them of their many attackers are literally the simplest, however the Gunners’ different massive guess on depth ought to repay irrespective of who begins. — Pardeep Cattry
Greatest guess: Bukayo Saka to attain or help (+240): This season hasn’t been as much as Saka’s normal 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 same old defensively stout Atleti aspect, 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 deal with clearing this line in a recreation which Arsenal will win. — Chuck Sales space
Barcelona vs. Olympiacos, 12:45 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Marcus Rashford, Barcelona: The strain is on Barcelona’s mortgage signing, who it needs to be famous has delivered the kind 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 strain might be on Rashford to ship pictures in addition to create for his group mates. — James Benge
Man of the match: Pedri, Barcelona — The Spanish midfielder is probably the most artistic midfielder of the aspect coached by Hansi Flick and that is the sort of matches have been his qualities can turn into essential for the Blaugrana. As Barcelona are anticipated to dominate the sport that might be performed on the Lluis Companys, he can turn into the participant who might help 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 prone to play a large position however for a recreation like this one, supervisor Hansi Flick might be spoiled for selection 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
Greatest guess: First half over 1.5 objectives (-110): Barcelona ought to look to create probabilities shortly, which favors each them and Olympiacos. The Greek aspect might solely have counter attacking alternatives on the day, so why not assault the primary half objectives market. The way in which Barcelona performs with a excessive line below Hansi Flick implies that objectives will are available in bunches from someplace, and with Lamine Yamal again within the XI, odds are within the Spanish aspect’s favor. — Chuck Sales space
Champions League matches on Wednesday
Sport of the day: Actual Madrid vs. Juventus, 3 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Jonathan David, Juventus: A 12 months in the past, David was the hero when Lille downed Actual Madrid within the league section. He faces off towards the Spanish giants, this time desperately needing to indicate he’s something just like the kind of striker who can match the output of Kylian Mbappe in European competitions, like he did final season. Thus far, he is not getting shut. Only one shot on track to date this season and 0 pictures of any selection in again to again begins towards AC Milan and Como. The bar might scarcely be decrease. — James Benge
Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe, Actual Madrid — Juventus are at the moment going by means of a difficult second and so they want a constructive consequence, nevertheless it will not be straightforward towards Actual Madrid. Particularly, their disappointing defensive performances might 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 towards 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 as of late than lopsided victories, however they will make a uncommon exception and so they simply would possibly accomplish that on Wednesday. Juventus are a bit in all places to start out the season, which can make it open season for Kylian Mbappe and his colleagues as they appear to increase their good begin to Champions League play. Alonso has a variety of attackers at his disposal, too, every of them in all probability desirous to make their mark in Europe because the supervisor continues to rotate by means of his choices whereas leaving Mbappe entrance and middle. — Pardeep Cattry
Greatest guess: 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 aspect 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 aim. Sadly as soon as they do, they need to take care of stopping Kylian Mbappe. — Chuck Sales space
Chelsea vs. Ajax, 3 p.m. ET
Participant to look at: Pedro Neto, Chelsea: Enzo Maresca may very well 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 probably the most senior ahead within the Chelsea XI at kickoff. The Portugal winger has not come near a constant run of type which may justify the $70 million plus that was paid to Wolves for his providers. Nevertheless, a sprightly recreation towards Nottingham Forest is at the very least one thing to construct on. — James Benge
Man of the match: Estevao, Chelsea: The gifted Brazilian striker is anticipated to start out his first ever Champions League’s match on Wednesday after taking part in 45 minutes between the sport towards Benfica and the one towards Bayern Munich. Match after match, he is turning into an more and more essential a part of Enzo Maresca’s rotations, having additionally scored a last-minute winner towards Liverpool. Now, he appears to be like able to take the following step and make his mark on the European stage. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Chelsea 3, Ajax 0 — There isn’t any larger deal with for a group in inconsistent type than an opponent that may enable them to reverse course, even when the enjoyment solely lasts for 90 minutes. Chelsea might have some accidents to take care of and a behavior for choosing up pink playing cards that hampers their potential to win video games extra typically 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, weak on set items and mistake-prone on the again. The Blues simply punished Nottingham Forest for having comparable attributes over the weekend, so count on Enzo Maresca’s aspect to gather their second win of the European season within the course of. — Pardeep Cattry
Greatest guess: Chelsea to win to nil (+120): Whereas the Blues have had their ups and downs this season, this iteration of Ajax appears to be like 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 be capable to deal with enterprise profitable at dwelling at Stamford Bridge for a a lot wanted three factors within the league section. — Chuck Sales space
