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UEFA Champions League action resumes this week with a series of high-profile matches as we reach the halfway point of the competition phase.
Only Aston Villa and Liverpool have perfect three-match records, although the Reds’ clash with Bayer Leverkusen is one of several Matchday 4 matchups to keep an eye on. Tuesday’s action will also feature Real Madrid in the first match after a lopsided El Clasico defeat, and in the most high-profile match of Ruben Amorim’s farewell tour at Sporting Lisbon – a showdown with future foes Manchester City.
Arsenal’s visit to Inter, meanwhile, will be the highlight of Wednesday’s action. Both sides have had impeccable defensive performances in the Champions League so far, not conceding a single goal so far, and they could use the match to make a statement about their aspirations to win the title.
Ahead of the action, here’s how the CBS Sports team thinks Matchday 4 will go down.
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Here are our expert picks for this matchday:
Tuesday
Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen
Player to watch: Florian Wirtz — Who knows, this might not be Wirtz’s last Anfield show? Sure, Liverpool will have plenty of rival suitors when the time comes for one of the Bundesliga’s brightest stars to leave Bayer Leverkusen, but there is a quasi-number 10 spot in Arne Slot’s squad that would suit Wirtz perfectly. Expect him to show just how good he is on Tuesday. –James Benge
Man of the match: Mo Salah — As always, the Liverpool winger is probably the most dangerous player on the pitch and is likely to score against the club coached by the former Liverpool legend. Salah, who is still looking for a new contract with the Reds as his current deal expires at the end of the current season, has already scored nine goals in 15 games played in all competitions so far. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Prediction: Liverpool 2, Leverkusen 1 — The Reds’ impressive form under Arne Slot meets the strong away form of Die Werkself for a match that will be all about Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield. The Spanish tactician, opposite the Dutchman who got the job many expected Alonso to take, will be fascinating. Leverkusen can overtake Liverpool in the league stage with a win, but a draw or a narrow home win is most likely. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Florian Wirtz with one shot on target (-120) — If you had to pick a winner here it’s probably Liverpool, but the best thing about finding value in the market is that you don’t always have to pick a winner. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate may be available for the match but will not be 100% fit after having to withdraw from the win over Brighton. Leverkusen will push to make things happen at Anfield and since everything they do goes through Wirtz, he will have a license to shoot and getting one shot on target for almost even money is the way to go. –Chuck Booth
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappé — We all expected there would be an adjustment period for Mbappé. A new club in a more competitive league, with a world-class player already occupying his natural place: this could hardly be a success on day one. However, that is what Madrid expect. Reports are already emerging of Carlo Ancelotti identifying Mbappe as a problem on his side. Sooner or later he will find the solution. However, doing this sooner will be crucial to quell the noise at the Santiago Bernabeu. –-James Benge
Man of the Match: Vinicius Jr. — The Brazilian star will play against the Rossoneri for the first time in his career after a week in which he surprisingly lost the Ballon d’Or. Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke about it at the pre-match press conference. “He is doing well. He realizes what is happening. Fortunately we did not play on Saturday and Vinicius, like everyone else, trained well.” –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Real 2, Milan 0 — Los Blancos have had a few extra days to prepare for this as their weekend match was postponed, so expect the Spanish giants to look fresher. Carlo Ancelotti needs a response from his players after some poor results and performances, which is ideal given the Rossoneri’s problems so far this season, which has seen them struggle in Serie A and the Champions League. Expect a fairly easy Real victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: More than four corners in the first half (-145) — Finding value when betting on Real Madrid can be difficult. They are expected to win this match, and for good reason, but corners are a place where attacks can take place. Both teams will want to start this match quickly and with attacks coming from all sides and a goalkeeper like Mike Maignan trying to protect his net, it could lead to quite a few corner kicks from the goal.
Wednesday
Inter vs Arsenal
Player to watch: Declan Rice — It is probably nothing more than a European Championship hangover, but apart from the draw with Liverpool, this has not been an excellent start to the season for Rice. With Martin Odegaard sidelined and Thomas Partey shuffled out of midfield, Mikel Arteta needs his record to be at its very best at the San Siro. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Bukayo Saka — The English winger is the player the Nerazzurri should fear most. After a solid start to the season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in nine Premier League games, Saka is ready to shine at San Siro against the 2023 Champions League finalists. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Inter 1, Arsenal 1 — The Gunners have managed just two wins from their last five, so things are getting tougher for Mikel Arteta of late as Liverpool remain clear in the Premier League title race. Both sides have seven points from nine in the league stages so far, while the Nerazzurri are also within a point of Napoli in Serie A. Given Inter’s ability to keep the likes of Manchester City close in the Champions League, it feels this as if it will be so. a pretty tight encounter with a draw that sounded about right. –Jonathan Johnson
Best Bet: Best Bet: Draw (+210) — Until now, it hasn’t really been exciting when the top teams meet in the Champions League, and this could be a continuation of that. Neither side needs a win, but they both have strong defenses and don’t mind if the match gets a little physical. I wouldn’t put full unity on such a specific outcome, but I support the points being shared. –Chuck Booth
PSG vs Atletico Madrid
Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann — The pressure is increasing for Atletico. In such scenarios, there is usually one man who supplies the ball (well, other than the goalkeeper). While Diego Simeone is building an attack for life after Griezmann, the Frenchman continues to perform. Four goals and five assists come at a rate of one every 122 minutes. When Atleti were in a hole against Leipzig, it was Griezmann who dug them out. He could do that this week too. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Ousmane Dembele — The former FC Barcelona winger has had a strong start to the 2024/25 season, having already scored five goals and provided four assists in Ligue 1, while scoring his first Champions League goal of the season and the match against his former Spaniard still have to make. rivals is the perfect opportunity to make this happen. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: PSG 2, Atleti 1 — This is a big match for both sides, with Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone both needing a win. The French giants have looked more convincing so far given their missed opportunities to bury opponents, but their Spanish opponents are under pressure having already lost twice. This one will likely be quite tense and tight, but PSG should have just enough to emerge victorious for a win in the second phase of the competition. –Jonathan Johnson
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score (-134) — it’s a clash between some of the Champions League’s biggest underachievers yet in the PSG vs Atletico Madrid meeting. While the underlying numbers have PSG turning things around, that doesn’t mean they can defend against Atleti’s powerful attack. It’s a good match to keep it simple and both score at least one goal. –Chuck Booth