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The UEFA Champions League returns of the winter break this week, earlier than normal, ahead of a subsequent round of matches to conclude the competition first edition of the competition phase.
Several continental heavyweights will take part in must-win matches on matchday 7, following struggles over the course of the season, most notably Manchester City’s trip to Paris Saint-Germain. Both sides are at risk of elimination and are targeting a statement win on Wednesday to avoid an early exit, with PSG returning to the competition following the high-profile signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Friday.
There will be a handful of other key matches this week, including Real Madrid’s favorable match against RB Salzburg and a clash between the top eight teams when Lille travel to Liverpool on Tuesday.
Don’t miss anything from the Champions League. As always, you can view all of our coverage Biggest+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network all season.
Here are our expert picks for this match day:
Tuesday
Atletico Madrid vs Leverkusen
Player to watch: Conor Gallagher – At the heart of Atletico Madrid’s long winning streak, which was shockingly stopped by Leganes last weekend, Gallagher typifies the qualities that will be needed to suppress Leverkusen. Can the hosts press high while still having bodies back if their opponents break through the lines? Can they get bodies around Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez? Gallagher is the man for these tasks and many more. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann — The Frenchman has had a strong first part of the season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions, four of which came in the first six Champions League games. Griezmann is the kind of striker who emerges in the most challenging matches, such as the one against Xabi Alonso’s side. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Atleti 1, Leverkusen 1 — A draw between these two seems like the right decision considering their respective positions, which are separated by seven places, albeit only by one point with one match to go. A point or better here could make all the difference when it comes to a top 8 finish, especially for Xabi Alonso’s men currently in that band. –Jonathan Johnson
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score (-130) — In a clash between some of the most exciting attacking teams in the world, this can happen in a number of ways. Although they could score goals left and right, there is also a good chance that the match will end 1-1, as they are no strangers to defending against top talent. Given the stakes of this match, once the first goal is scored, the second will quickly follow as the winner has a great chance of finishing in the top eight of the competition phase. –Chuck Booth
Benfica vs Barcelona
Player to watch: Inaki Pena – Until now, the starting place between the posts in the league and Europe was Pena’s to lose. Is he starting to do that now? The 25-year-old has not kept a clean sheet since a win over Brest at the end of November and Wojciech Szczesny’s name is increasingly being discussed as a serious contender for the Barcelona goalkeeper spot. Pena has work to do. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Raphinha — The Brazilian winger is in the best form of his career as he has scored 19 goals in all competitions so far, with six in the first six Champions League games. Raphinha’s impressive form is one of the reasons for the successful European season, as the Hansi Flick-led side sit in second place with five wins and one defeat, as only Liverpool had a better start to the competitive phase. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Benfica 2, Barcelona 2 — This one feels like a potential trap for Barca, who are within reach of securing a place in the top 8. The Portuguese hosts have performed better against the bigger teams, notably beating both Atletico Madrid and Monaco. Don’t be surprised by a draw where both sides score. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Barcelona leads at halftime (+145) — Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona were no strangers to fast-paced matches. With so many star strikers in the team, even an injury to Dani Olmo won’t stop Barcelona from scoring a goal in the first half, and the return of Ronald Araujo improves the defense by leaps and bounds. This is a better Benfica team than they get credit for, but that won’t matter on Tuesday. –Chuck Booth
Wednesday
PSG vs Man City
Player to watch: Phil Foden – Will player of the year form return to Manchester City’s hero? Foden’s last four games have produced five goals and two assists, with the 24-year-old excelling in a defeat to Ipswich Town on Sunday. Foden returns to the wide right-wing role he played in last season and has found form and rhythm even as City have struggled. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Erling Haaland – It will be a heated clash between two of the league’s most disappointing sides as they battle to avoid elimination in the final two matchdays, and the Norwegian is expected to deliver, especially after signing an unprecedented new 9.5-year contract , worth around $610,000 (£500,000) per week. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: PSG 2, City 1 — This is a game that neither side can afford to lose, which is especially true in Paris. Luis Enrique’s men have no problem creating chances against teams in Europe, but they have struggled to capitalize on those openings and this is a match where home advantage should count, which is not always the case for Les Parisiens . Expect the margins to be very tight and the fear of elimination to be palpable at times, with a draw also a very strong possibility. Ultimately, however, PSG can afford nothing less than a draw and will have to get a result in Stuttgart, regardless of the result at the Parc des Princes. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist (+125) — This match could be Manchester City’s season and in those moments the two players who ultimately step up are usually De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola has welcomed the Belgian’s return and despite this being a tough away game, he will be able to get involved in the attack to keep City in the game. –Chuck Booth
Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg
Player to watch: Rodrygo – Madrid’s big match winner in the Champions League has struggled for form in continental matches so far this season, with just a single assist to his name. However, the best version of Rodrygo is starting to emerge in La Liga, where he scored and assisted against Las Palmas last time out. This could be the perfect opportunity to get in between the goals. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Kylian Mbappe — The French superstar is finally delivering and his numbers are back to expected levels, having scored 12 goals in 18 La Liga games but only two in six Champions League games. The match against RB Salzburg is the perfect opportunity for him to turn things around on the European stage. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Real 4, Salzburg 0 — The Austrians and their Red Bull cousins in Leipzig have had a Champions League campaign to quickly forget. Expect them to be put out of their misery here with a thrashing from a disappointing Real, who still have favorable games in their side. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: over 1.5 goals in the first half (-144) — The great thing about this format is that goal difference matters in the rankings. With Real Madrid having just nine points and a goal difference of one, they have every reason to push for victory against a Salzburg side who looked outmatched during the competition phase. If Real Madrid’s finishing is where it needs to be, this is a match that could be 4-0 at halftime. –Chuck Booth