by Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League group stage is upon us with 16 matches on Tuesday and Wednesday. We are in the meat of the group stage schedule now, and this can make or break the European trip for any club. With the teams facing the same opponents in Matchday 3 and 4, there is an opportunity to increase their chances of qualifying. Tuesday’s schedule is highlighted by Inter v Barcelona, while Chelsea and AC Milan have a huge encounter on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. As always, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be your home for all things UCL, starting with UEFA Champions League Today at 2 p.m. ET.
Here are our predictions for each match and more:
Want even more coverage of the world game? Listen below and follow along ¡Qué Golazo! Daily CBS Soccer Podcast where we take you beyond the field and around the world for commentary, previews, recaps and more.
Tuesday’s show schedule
(All times USA/East)
- Bayern Munich vs Viktoria Plzen, 12.45pm, Paramount+
- Olympique de Marseille vs. Sporting CP, 12:45pm, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League Today, 2pm, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
- The Golazo Show, 3 p.m., CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
- Ajax vs Napoli, 3pm, Paramount+
- Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid, 3pm, Paramount+
- Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham, 3pm, Paramount+
- FC Porto vs Bayer Leverkusen, 3pm, Paramount+
- Inter vs Barcelona, 3pm, Paramount+
- Liverpool v Rangers, 3pm, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League post-match broadcast, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
Wednesday’s broadcast schedule
(All times USA/East)
- UEFA Champions League Today, 2pm, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
- RB Leipzig vs Celtic, 12:45, Paramount+
- Red Bull Salzburg vs Dinamo Zagreb, 12.45pm, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League Today, 2pm, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
- The Golazo Show, 3 p.m., CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
- Benfica v Paris Saint-Germain, 3pm, Paramount+
- Chelsea v AC Milan, 3pm, Paramount+
- Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa, 3pm, Paramount+
- Manchester City vs Copenhagen, 3pm, Paramount+
- Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk, 3pm, Paramount+
- Sevilla v Borussia Dortmund, 3pm, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League post-match broadcast, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
Match options
Inter vs Barcelona
Selected game | Inter vs Barcelona
A match to watch: Robert Lewandowski vs Milan Skriniar. On Inter’s side, the Polish striker is the most dangerous man on the pitch to defend against. This is an Inter side in desperate need of a positive result after Saturday’s defeat by AS Roma at the San Siro. Milan Skriniar is called upon to make his mark after a poor start to the season as he faces one of the best strikers in the world. — Francesco Porcio
Most likely to score: Robert Lewandowski. Who else but Lewandowski? The former Bayern Munich man already scored three goals against Viktoria Plzen in the opening game of the group stage, but then failed to get his name on the scoresheet against his former club at the Allianz Arena. Tuesday’s game at the San Siro will be key to finding out the remainder of the UCL campaign for both teams. — Francesco Porcio
Man of the Match selection: Pedri. Inter are expected to sit back on the defensive side of the pitch and rely more on counter attacks. This should pave the way for Pedri to be a crucial player given his role in the middle of the park and also because of the way Barcelona are expected to play. Inter, on the other hand, will be without Marcelo Brozovic who is out injured and would be in the same part of the pitch as Pedri. — Francesco Porcio
Match prediction: Barcelona 2, Inter 1. The Nerazzurri are going through a very difficult time and have lost consecutive matches against Udinese and Roma. The pressure continues to mount on Simone Inzaghi and Tuesday’s game against Barcelona could decide his immediate future. — Francesco Porcio
Liverpool vs Rangers
Selected game | Liverpool vs Rangers
A match to watch: Allan McGregor vs Roberto Firmino and Liverpool’s attack. Defensively, Rangers have struggled since losing to Celtic in the Old Firm, which saw McGregor take charge between the sticks. While he had a strong performance in the 3-0 loss to Napoli, his central defenders haven’t provided much help, so look for him to have a tough time trying to keep Firmino and Liverpool in check. Firmino has scored in three of his last four league games in which he has appeared, but he has yet to open his account in the Champions League, this will be the match to do it. — Chuck Booth
Most likely to score: Roberto Firmino. While Liverpool have struggled this season, Firmino has upped the ante with the challenge of Darwin Nunes behind him. With five league goals and three assists, Firmino will be ready to go, taking advantage of a shaky Rangers defence. — Chuck Booth
Man of the Match selection: Trent Alexander-Arnold. After a difficult couple of weeks after not featuring for England and then drawing against Brighton, Jurgen Klopp will ensure his defense is locked down. A couple of assists playing a big part in the team’s promotion should be enough to get the player. the fight is worth it. — Chuck Booth
Match prediction: Liverpool 3, Rangers 1. Despite their domestic struggles, Liverpool will not miss a change to take the lead in qualifying for the knockouts alongside Napoli. — Chuck Booth
Chelsea vs Milan
A fight to watch: Rafael Leao vs. Reece James. Graham Potter’s regular plans are still in strong flux. Faced with the threat posed by Leao down the left, the Chelsea manager may be inclined to switch to a back three and double his defensive options on the right. Whatever the system, James will need to be at his defensive best — which is a very good thing — if he wants to stifle the Serie A MVP. — James Benge
Most likely to score: Raheem Sterling. He can turn down plenty, but there is no one on the pitch who gets into goalscoring positions as often as Sterling. He has already switched sides with Potter, a clear sign that his manager trusts that wherever the England international plays he can be trusted to make a difference. — James Benge
Man of the match selection: Rafael Leao. Without wanting to spoil the point made in the games, Leao is set to pose a mighty test for Chelsea. One could argue that they haven’t faced a more devastating forward so far this season. In his last five games, he has brought three goals and six assists to Milan’s cause and appears to have made the leap from prospect to superstar. Wednesday would be the perfect occasion to announce it to the world. — James Benge
Match prediction: Chelsea 0, AC Milan 2. This game could go either way, but it’s pretty clear that Chelsea are still very much a work in progress under Potter, who has shown every indication at Brighton and Swansea that he’s ready to rumble regularly in pursuit of a winning formula. The absences in Milan’s starting line-up will certainly make this more difficult for Stefano Pioli, but the win over Empoli showed a strength in depth that may be enough to win at the San Siro. — James Benge
Benfica vs PSG
Selected game | Benfica vs Paris
One match to watch: Julian Draxler vs PSG. The German international against his parent club promises to be exciting and potentially damaging for the French champions as well. Draxler is rebuilding his career in Portugal after allowing it to fade in Paris, and being the top pairing in this group makes the stakes high for a player who will lack motivation. — Jonathan Johnson
Most likely to score: Lionel Messi. It feels like everything the Argentine touches turns to gold once again. A superb free-kick at the weekend against Nice after a rich international break with Argentina and Benfica will have to do her best to keep him out after a goal and an assist in Israel last time out in Europe. — Jonathan Johnson
Player of the match selection: Neymar. There is no doubt that while Messi is lethal at the moment and Mbappe is also in fine scoring form, the Brazilian superstar is equally crucial to keeping Christophe Galtier company at PSG. If Neymar can maintain this form, he will be one of the stars at this winter’s World Cup. — Jonathan Johnson
Match prediction: Benfica 1, PSG 1. It looks set to be the toughest matchup in this group stage and a battle between the two absolute leaders of Group H. Both teams can score but may struggle to keep their opponents out. PSG could sneak up by a goal, but a draw would not be a shock considering how strong Benfica were. — Jonathan Johnson
