Champions League picks, predictions, schedule: Experts think Bayern Munich avoid catastrophe, PSG coast

The UEFA Champions League resumes on Tuesday as the round of 16 begins to wrap up. Some of Europe’s top teams could move through to the next round of play with a few of the tournaments favorites in action this week.

Most of the heavyweights taking the field already carry an advantage after winning their first leg ties. That includes reigning champions Manchester City, who beat Copenhagen 3-1 last month with the biggest margin of victory in the round of 16 so far. While Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also have the upper hand, Bayern Munich will aim to reverse course from last month’s 1-0 loss to Lazio in order to reach the quarterfinals for the fifth successive time.

All of those top teams are once again the favorites to win again this week, and the expert picks reflect just as much. Here’s a look at how to catch the action, as well as predictions.

Don’t miss all of the Champions League storylines, and as always you can catch all of our coverage across Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network all season long.

Here’s how to watch all the games, what to know, our expert picks and more:

Champions League TV schedule

All times Eastern

Tuesday’s Champions League editorial picks

Bayern Munich vs. Lazio

By Francesco Porzio

One matchup to watch: Alphonso Davies vs. Felipe Anderson – We expect Bayern to control the game and have more ball possession than Lazio in this second leg, and for this reason the guests will likely count a lot on the counterattacks and on Felipe Anderson in particular. Bayern’s defender Alphonso Davies needs to be extra careful to prevent this from happening on Tuesday. 

Most likely to score a goal: Harry Kane – Bayern have to score at least one goal to have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals and Harry Kane is the player who has the most chance to do it. Despite a disappointing first leg when Bayern failed to score in Rome, the second leg has to be different for the team and for Kane himself. 

Man of the Match pick: Ivan Provedel – If Lazio will have chances to qualify, a lot will depend on Ivan Provedel. The Italian goalkeeper has been one of the best in his role so far this season. Many remember him for the goal scored in the stoppage time against Atletico de Madrid in the group stage, but Provedel’s saves were absolutely crucial for the Italian side this year. 

Match prediction: Bayern 1, Lazio 1. Lazio have chances to go through to the round of 16 because Bayern are in a deep crisis and only won once in the last five games in all competitions. Thomas Tuchel’s job, if the German giants don’t win against Lazio, will be in danger despite the face ge already announced his departure at the end of the current season. 

Real Sociedad vs. PSG

By Jonathan Johnson

One matchup to watch: Takefusa Kubo vs. Nuno Mendes — With Lucas Hernandez likely to be required centrally with Marquinhos barely fit to travel to San Sebastian, expect Nuno Mendes to see some game time on Tuesday. The Portugal international will likely find himself up against Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo who should be fairly fresh for this one after the Japanese star proved a tricky customer last time out in Paris. Whoever it is who ends up having to keep Kubo on a leash will have their work cut out for them and it would come quite early into Mendes’ recovery from injury should it fall to him.

Most likely to score a goal: Mikel Oyarzabal — Fit enough to feature and score against RCD Mallorca in the Copa del Rey recently, it feels fitting that the homegrown star should give Sociedad hope against PSG in the second leg. That might not be enough to carry the Basques through, but Mikel Oyarzabal is the most likely to provide the cutting edge that was missing in the first leg for Imanol Alguacil’s men.

Man of the Match pick: Gianluigi Donnarumma — With Kylian Mbappe no longer certain to start and star in this one given his recent deteriorating relationship with Luis Enrique, expect the Italian to come to the fore between the sticks. Sociedad will push as much as possible and they were unexpectedly good in Paris a few weeks ago. Gianluigi Donnarumma putting in another in a collection of strong performances could go a long way towards securing PSG’s quarterfinals berth.

Match prediction: 1-1 — Sociedad will have their moment of hope that they can pull things back and overcome PSG but the French champions should be able to do just enough to advance. Expect the Ligue 1 outfit to continue their lengthy unbeaten run and to be rewarded with a place in the final eight.

Wednesday’s Champions League picks

Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig

By Chuck Booth

One matchup to watch: Antonio Rudiger vs. Benjamin Sesko – Rudiger is back and he looked quite vulnerable going up against Hugo Duro and Valencia during the weekend in an away match. While this will be back at home, RB Leipzig will bring strong forwards into the match. Lois Openda may attract the majority of attention alongside Xavi Simons but that just means that Sesko has more space to operate, which he has taken advantage of while growing into his own with the German side. Unlucky to score in the first leg, it will take a strong performance from Rudiger to keep Sesko contained.

Most likely to score a goal: Vinicius Junior – Who else but Vini Jr.? He has had an up and down season for Real Madrid but outside of Jude Bellingham, when Los Blancos need a goal, he’s the most likely person to make a mark in an important moment. Dynamic on the wing, the Brazillian will have plenty of chances in the match and he’ll get the job done while pushing Real Madrid on to the final eight.

Man of the Match pick: Jude Bellingham – Brahim Diaz was great in the first leg, scoring the only goal of the match but this is still Bellingham’s world and we’re just living in it. A do it all midfielder, the Englishman has been ever present since making the move to the Santiago Bernabeu and it was important that he got some minutes for match fitness under his belt before this important match. Bellingham won’t find the back of the net in this one but that doesn’t mean that he won’t be influential throughout the tie.

Match prediction: Real Madrid 2, RB Leipzig 0 – Real Madrid should’ve allowed goals in the first match, but when faced with top opposition, the German side has struggled this season and it will only continue in Spain. It’s an important experience for the growth of RB Leipzig, but this is a match that will end with Real Madrid advancing to the last eight yet again.

Man City vs. Copenhagen

By James Benge

One matchup to watch: Phil Foden vs. Kamil Diks – When Pep Guardiola labeled Foden the best player in the Premier League it did not feel like a reach. Certainly he is delivering at the highest level of his career so far, no mean feat considering the heights he has reached before his 24th birthday. Diks will do well to even slow Foden down.

Most likely to score a goal: Erling Haaland – Even when City’s No.9 misses the easy chances, as he did when he tried to side-foot a chance he should have headed on Sunday, Haaland still finds his way to goals. Even in what has felt like a slightly stuttering return to the XI from injury he has scored nine goals in nine games. Admittedly five of them were against Luton Town but is that not a comparable opponent to Copenhagen?

Man of the Match pick: Kevin De Bruyne – It could be anyone in sky blue, really, but there is one player in particular whose recent baseline has been exceptional. De Bruyne had something of a quiet day against Manchester United on Sunday, a game in which he created six chances and registered five shots. If the mood takes him and if Guardiola picks him, De Bruyne could destroy Copenhagen.

Match prediction: Man City 3, Copenhagen 0 – This should be a straightforward night’s work for the holders, who may well just get the job done in the first half and coast from there.