Table of Contents
The UEFA Champions League returns for one final round before the new year, with a lot at stake for several of Europe’s top players. While Liverpool can extend their stay at the top of the table with Tuesday’s match in Girona, there will be several matches between teams in the top eight, including Barcelona’s visit to Borussia Dortmund and Inter’s visit to Bayer Leverkusen. Giants like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also have the chance to correct their disappointing Champions League fixtures this week with some crucial games.
Here’s what the CBS Sports team predicts will take place next week in the Champions League.
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 matchday:
Tuesday
Game of the Day: Leverkusen vs. Inter
Player to watch: Stefan de Vrij – Inter’s Champions League defense can’t be that good, can it? No goals conceded in five games, a schedule that includes England’s top two from last season and a Leipzig team that is also not short on attacking talent. If this defensive magic continues against Leverkusen, look for centre-back De Vrij to excel. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Nicolo Barella – Inter have been one of the best teams this season, thanks in part to the performances of Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella, who is yet to score his first goal in the UEFA Champions League. Inter are looking to confirm themselves at the top of the standings as they are just two points away from Liverpool. He can make the difference –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Leverkusen 1, Inter 1 — This features two of the current top eight, with the Italians undefeated so far and likely to remain that way. The Germans have already lost, but remain competitive and have so far scored more than Tuesday’s visitors. Don’t be surprised if it ends in a draw or a narrow home win. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Hakan Calhanoglu has more than 1 shot on target (+110) – This is a match where the best defenses in the Champions League meet and it can be defined by set pieces. Maximizing those opportunities brings Calhanoglu, a free kick and long shot artist, into the picture. He’s more likely to get an assist than a goal, but that doesn’t mean his presence won’t be felt in the middle of the park in this match. –Chuck Booth
Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Player to watch: Jude Bellingham – The sheer volume of shots is not back to last season’s levels and perhaps never will be in a team with Kylian Mbappé. However, Bellingham scored five goals in as many La Liga games after starting the campaign winless. The England international lives for the biggest events and this is about as high as the league stage should ever have delivered for Real Madrid. –-James Benge
Man of the match: Ademola Lookman – After scoring three goals in the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen, the Nigerian forward started the new season with the same spirit as he has already scored eight goals in twelve Serie A matches and also two goals in four Champions League games so far. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Atalanta 1, Real 2 — The defending champions need to get back to winning ways in the Champions League, and quickly. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have already beaten the Italians in the UEFA Super Cup but expect this encounter to be a little closer, with Los Blancos just ahead in a match where both sides will find the back of the net. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Kylian Mbappé scores (+150): Atalanta’s defense was good, but even though he wasn’t in top form for Real Madrid, Mbappé scored 11 goals in all competitions. Only one of these has occurred in the Champions League, because even penalties are not automatic for Mbappé. But with three goals in his last five games, there are plenty of opportunities for him to find the back of the net. If you want less risk, he’s only -130 to get two shots on goal, but it’s worth going for the goal with a number like this. –Chuck Booth
Wednesday
Match of the day: Juventus vs. Man City
Player to watch: Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian’s return to City’s starting XI may or may not have solved everything – the jury is out after yet more points dropped against Crystal Palace – but if anyone wants to spice up what is shaping up to be a very dull affair, it will be De Bruyne. –-James Benge
Man of the Match: Ilkay Gundogan – Despite the difficult moment facing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Gundogan is the player the Spanish manager needs most at the moment due to his experience in the tournament. Juventus is also not having its best moment and Gündogan can cause a lot of problems in Vecchia Signora’s defense. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Juve 1, City 1 — Pep Guardiola’s side continue to struggle with poor form and are making things tough for themselves in both the Premier League and Champions League. Thiago Motta’s Italians are in a similar position and aren’t seeing too many goals in their games, so expect a fairly low-scoring game with either side able to sneak in the odd goal. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Under 2.5 goals (-120): I will not bet on goals in matches involving Juventus. I will not bet goals in matches involving Juventus. I… you get the idea. Even without Bremer, Juventus are not giving in under Thiago Motta, and even against whatever version of City this is, it won’t change. There’s no harm in throwing a draw here at +240, but the under is a little safer. –Chuck Booth
Barcelona vs Dortmund
Player to watch: Robert Lewandowski – It has to be him, right? Back at the Westfalenstadion, reunited with the fans who once adored him, but now have to fear his presence in the opposition. In 26 games against Dortmund, Lewandowski scored 27 goals, but so far he has not met them in a Barcelona shirt. Given his recent form, you’d be backing him to add to that tally. –-James Benge
Man of the Match: Raphinha – The Brazilian winger has been fantastic this season, scoring five goals in the first five Champions League games, and 11 in 17 LaLiga games. He is probably the best player yet for the side coached by Hansi Flick, who returns to Germany on Wednesday. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Dortmund 1, Barcelona 1 — These two sides are neck and neck in this round of matches, with the Catalan giants slightly ahead of the Germans on goal difference despite both recording four wins and one defeat. Don’t be surprised if this team finishes level and both teams get their first draw of the European season, although Barcelona will have the best chance of winning if one team comes out on top. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Both Teams Score (-110): Barcelona’s high line has been effective in protecting their defense, but if the offside trap doesn’t work, it’s far too easy to beat the defense from open play. Dortmund are an experienced team that can make Barcelona pay in attack and Barcelona’s attack is too loaded not to score, so it feels like a fair price to get both in the back of the net. –Chuck Booth