Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Barcelona ahead while Arsenal take on Atalanta
The UEFA Champions League officially made its long-awaited return on Tuesday, and this season’s competition is unlike any that has come before it.
The change to the Swiss-system format adds more teams, more games and more days of competition to the schedule, all with the hope of increasing the competitiveness in the league stage itself, which replaces the group stage. In terms of fixtures alone, Matchday 1 lives up to the billing with some exciting games to kick off the competition. Christian Pulisic scored in Liverpool’s visit to AC Milan, but Liverpool eased past it in a 3-1 win, while Kylian Mbappe made his Champions League debut in a Real Madrid shirt ad in a 3-1 win over Stuttgart.
English and Italian champions Manchester City and Inter faced off on Wednesday and played out a tense draw, holding each other scoreless, while PSG needed a last-minute goalkeeper mistake to beat Girona. Champions League action continues on Thursday, with Arsenal travelling to Europa League champions Atalanta and Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen returning to the competition with a trip to Feyenoord, while Barcelona take on Monaco.
The CBS Sports team presents their expert picks and predictions. See below.
Don’t miss a single Champions League match. As always, you can watch all of our coverage throughout the season on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Here are our experts’ picks for this match day:
Thursday
Today’s game: AS Monaco vs Barcelona
Players to watch: Raphinha: Perhaps no one in European football had a better weekend than Raphinha, who scored three goals and set up another as Real Valladolid lost at the Olympic Stadium. The Brazilian’s place at Barcelona hasn’t always looked secure since arriving from Leeds United, but he appears to have found a worthy rival in Hansi Flick, who has freed him up in more central positions. — james benz
man of the Match: Lamin Yamal: The Spanish gem was named man of the match against Girona on Sunday as he scored two goals in their fifth consecutive win. The team coached by Hansi Flick has had a great start to the season so far. The Blaugrana will make his international debut against Monaco and now there are high expectations from him and the teenage Spanish attacker, who is expected to be one of the stars of the Champions League season. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: monaco 1-2 barcelona: Les Monegasques are not being given any chances this time around given Barca’s start to the season in La Liga. Although the Catalan giants are favourites to win, the continental heritage of the principality’s outfit should not be forgotten and this is a great opportunity for Adi Hütter’s side to show it off in front of a rare strong turnout of supporters at the Stade Louis II. Nothing compares to a big European game with a packed house at the usually sparsely populated but always beautiful venue and that could help Monaco get past the Blaugrana. — Jonathan Johnson
Best Bet: Barcelona scored in both halves (+154)Barcelona have scored early and often in games under Flick. They only know one pace and that is to attack with full force, so the goals will be pouring in this time around. I was in the over 3.5 but I went a little safer route with Barcelona scoring a goal in each half. — Charles Booth
Don’t miss the CBS Sports Golazo Network’s Morning Footy, now available as a podcast! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs from watching the beautiful game in every corner of the world, every Monday through Friday all year long.
