We’re on the enterprise finish of the UEFA Champions League season. The knockout levels kick off on Tuesday with a pair of match favorites seeking to keep away from being upset as Manchester Metropolis face FC Copenhagen and Actual Madrid face RB Leipzig. Then on Thursday the sample repeats as PSG look to ease previous Actual Sociedad and Bayern Munich sq. off in opposition to Lazio.
Do not miss all the Champions League storylines, and as all the time you’ll be able to catch all of our protection throughout Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports activities Golazo Community all season lengthy.
Champions League TV schedule
All occasions Japanese
Tuesday’s Champions League picks — Morning Footy
Tuesday’s Champions League picks — CBSSports.com
FC Copenhagen vs. Man Metropolis
By James Benge
One matchup to look at: Rasmus Falk vs. Bernardo Silva – If Copehagen are getting something out of the primary leg they’re going to have to ship the defensive efficiency of their lives. That does not simply imply their middle backs hurling themselves in entrance of any shot or go within the field, however means protecting Metropolis from getting fast ball up the pitch. Can Falk, one of many group stage’s higher off-ball midfielders, try this? In all probability not.
Almost certainly to attain a purpose: Erling Haaland – This man has 11 targets in his final six spherical of 16 video games. These have come in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla and RB Leipzig, all a minimize above this week’s opponent.
Man of the Match decide: Erling Haaland – Yeah, as I used to be saying earlier. This man scores targets by the bucketload. Even when Everton had largely restricted service to him on Saturday, he bode his time earlier than obliterating a tiring backline. You’d get quick odds on him doing the identical in Parken.
Match prediction: Copenhagen 0, Man Metropolis 3 – I might hate to come back throughout as dismissive of an excellent group who gave Bayern Munich all kinds of difficulties at Parken, the place they successfully eradicated Manchester United just a few weeks later. It’s simply that Metropolis are on one other degree even to the German champions, and they’re masters of breezing by way of these sorts of ties.
RB Leipzig vs. Actual Madrid
By Chuck Sales space
One matchup to look at: Eduardo Camavinga vs. Everybody – Because the Actual Madrid damage disaster grows, Camavinga has been requested so as to add a brand new place to his field of instruments and excelled taking part in middle again in opposition to Girona. Whereas will probably be a distinct model of problem dealing with Xavi Simons, Lois Openda, and Benjamin Sesko. If Madrid can management possession, they will have an excellent probability to see the match by way of however the play of Camavinga will likely be necessary each in protection and assault to make that occur.
Almost certainly to attain a purpose: Vinicius Junior – If Jude Bellingham misses the match, that solely makes Vini Jr.’s function extra necessary. The Brazillian has scored three targets in his final 5 league matches and together with his capability to do the sudden, when Actual Madrid wants a second of magic it comes from his toes and with out so most of the common members of the squad, magic will likely be wanted.
Man of the Match decide: Aurelian Tchouameni – We all know what the Actual Madrid assault can do however it will be on the protection to find out if they will go into Germany and emerge with a victory bringing the main focus to the makeshift protection. Even when Antonio Rudiger is offered, it could be a threat to begin him within the match particularly when Tchouameni can boss the sport at middle again.
Match prediction: RB Leipzig 0, Actual Madrid 1 – Actual Madrid are so good at limiting possibilities for the opposition that they’re going to have loads of room for error within the match however they will not want it as Vinicius Junior will present an early lead that Los Blancos will not relinquish en path to victory.
Wednesday’s Champions League picks — Morning Footy
Wednesday’s Champions League picks — CBSSports.com
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
By Francesco Porzio
One matchup to look at: Harry Kane vs. Alessio Romagnoli – Will probably be a difficult conflict for the Italian facet that may face Bayern Munich just a few days after the German sided’s defeat in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen. Lazio are clearly the underdogs on this one, so a whole lot of their possibilities at pulling an upset will depend upon the defensive performances and the way Maurizio Sarri’s group will attempt to defend Harry Kane, the guests English star.
Almost certainly to attain a purpose: Leroy Sane – Whereas all eyes will likely be on Kane, Sane can have extra space on the wings and freedom to assault Lazio’s defenders individually. Up to now, he has scored just one purpose within the Champions League marketing campaign, and we’re undoubtedly anticipating extra within the coming video games.
Man of the Match decide: Thomas Muller – The German participant was the face of the defeat in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, and confirmed frustration and disappointment after the sport within the post-match interview as properly. Realizing his angle and significance for the group, he undoubtedly desires to react and lead his facet on Wednesday.
Match prediction: Bayern Munich 2, Lazio 1. Even supposing Lazio are in an excellent run of type and have received three of the final 5 video games within the Italian Serie A, Bayern Munich are the favorites and can most likely shift their focus to the European marketing campaign after shedding the important thing Bundesliga match in opposition to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer.
PSG vs. Actual Sociedad
By Jonthan Johnson
One matchup to look at: Warren Zaire-Emery vs. Martin Zubimendi — That is shaping as much as be a captivating duel between two very proficient midfielders. Hosts PSG have probably the most thrilling rising stars of the sport whereas the guests have an underrated performer who’s incomes admiring glances from throughout Europe. Whoever is ready to assert their affect probably the most ought to go a great distance in the direction of dictating the eventual winner of this recreation. The concern for Zubimendi is that even a powerful displaying from him won’t be sufficient to resolve Sociedad’s current scoring troubles.
Almost certainly to attain a purpose: Kylian Mbappe — Rested for the Ligue 1 win over Lille after taking an ankle knock in midweek, the French celebrity will likely be match and raring to go come Wednesday. With a winnable two-legged spherical of 16 tie forward of him and PSG, count on Mbappe to indicate renewed starvation and seize himself a purpose or presumably two. If Ousmane Dembele can replicate the shape he confirmed in opposition to LOSC, his fellow France worldwide might be in for just a few alternatives to attain at Parc des Princes.
Man of the Match decide: Ousmane Dembele — The Frenchman seemed sharp in opposition to Lille and that’s ominous for a Sociedad facet who will bear in mind him properly from his Barcelona days. Dembele might be the important thing for PSG by way of opening up knockout spherical opponents beginning with the Basque outfit and a powerful displaying with completed product would construct properly on some encouraging moments within the group levels which didn’t fairly work out.
Match prediction: PSG 3-1 Sociedad — This can be a very favorable tie for the French champions and particularly now that their La Liga opponents are struggling in entrance of purpose. Luis Enrique will wish to see no mercy from his gamers as they bid to return to Europe with a bang. Sociedad might want to intention to remain within the tie throughout leg one and hope to resolve their purpose scoring points to provide them one thing to construct on forward of the second leg. Giving the Basques a purpose feels optimistic, however so too would backing a PSG clear sheet given their continuously ropey defensive showings.