UEFA Champions League Predictions: All eyes on Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford and Arsenal-Atletico Madrid match

The UEFA Champions League returns midweek as matchday three arrives with plenty of big clashes between some of the most notable names in European football. You can watch all the matches on Paramount+.

Arsenal look to continue their strong start to the season against fiery Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, while Wednesday’s slate is highlighted by Juventus’ trip to Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Inter are perfect to start the season and seem unstoppable. Liverpool, Chelsea, Naples and Barcelona? Not so much, and thanks to early defeats and six matches remaining, every mistake could cost them dearly in the league stage.

Expert picks come from the CBS Sports Soccer editorial team. Dive into the predictions below.

Don’t miss anything from the Champions League. As always, you can find all of our coverage on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network all season long.

Champions League matches Tuesday

Match of the Day: Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid, 3 p.m. ET

Player to watch: Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s midfield maestro has been exceptional since arriving from Real Sociedad and will surely feel right at home welcoming his compatriots to north London. Zubimendi was not as dominant in possession as one might expect from a deep-lying Spanish playmaker, but instead focused on quickly distributing the ball to those in front of him, the kind that made Arsenal advance dangerously up the pitch. — James Bengé

Man of the match: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal: A tough challenge for the attackers against the defense can be expected on Tuesday from Argentina coach Diego Simeone, and that is precisely why a player like Bukayo Saka could prove crucial in one-on-one situations and attacking transitions. Saka, who already scored a goal in the Champions League match against Olympiacos, can be that kind of attacking player. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Arsenal 2, Atlético Madrid 1 — In a clash between a team with a virtually impenetrable defense and one that relies on its attack to survive, Arsenal’s judicious bet on defensive determination appears to be about to pay off. Atletico’s Julian Alvarez is the type of goalscorer who can outrun even the best backline and the Gunners may still have questions to answer about which of their many attackers are actually the most effective, but the Gunners’ other big bet on depth should pay off no matter who starts. – Pardeep Cattery

Best bet: Bukayo Saka to score or assist (+240): This season has not lived up to Saka’s usual high standards with just three goals in his first eight appearances of the season without any assists, but he will have his chances at home to Atletico Madrid. This isn’t Atleti’s usual defensive side, and even if Viktor Gyokeres doesn’t put away the chances Saka creates, the space provided by the Swedish striker will give Saka chances to score on his own and take charge of clearing that line in a game Arsenal will win. — Chuck Booth

Barcelona vs. Olympiacos, 12:45 p.m. ET

Player to watch: Marcus Rashford, Barcelona: The pressure is on the loan signing from Barcelona, ​​who, it should be noted, has delivered the kind of performances many suspected were beyond him after leaving Manchester United on loan. In the absence of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal who are still working to return to full fitness, the pressure will be on Rashford to deliver shots and create for his teammates. — James Bengé

Man of the match: Pedri, Barcelona – The Spanish midfielder is the most creative midfielder in the team coached by Hansi Flick and these are the kind of matches where his qualities can become crucial for the Blaugrana. As Barcelona is expected to dominate the match which will be played at the Lluis Companys, he can become the player who can help the attackers score some goals. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Barcelona 4, Olympiacos 0 – Barcelona are the heavy favorites in this match for a reason, so expect the Champions League hopefuls to act accordingly. Lamine Yamal looks likely to play an important role, but for a match like this, manager Hansi Flick will be spoiled for choice with his attacking options, with any of them capable of finishing off his chances against the Greek visitors. A lopsided victory is expected for the reigning La Liga champions as they aim for a second Champions League win of the season. – Pardeep Cattery

Best bet: First half over 1.5 goals (-110): Barcelona should look to create chances quickly, which favors both them and Olympiacos. The Greek team may only have counter-attacking opportunities on this day, so why not attack the goal market in the first half. The way Barcelona play with a high line under Hansi Flick means the goals will come in bunches from somewhere, and with Lamine Yamal back in the XI, the odds are in the Spanish side’s favor. — Chuck Booth

Champions League matches Wednesday

Match of the Day: Real Madrid vs. Juventus, 3 p.m. ET

Player to watch: Jonathan David, Juventus: A year ago, David was the hero when Lille beat Real Madrid in the league stage. He takes on the Spanish giants, this time desperately needing to show that he is the kind of striker capable of matching Kylian Mbappe’s performance in European competitions, as he did last season. So far, he’s not getting close. Just one shot on target so far this season and no shots of any kind in back-to-back starts against AC Milan and Como. The bar could hardly be lower. — James Bengé

Man of the match: Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid – Juventus are going through a difficult period at the moment and they need a positive result, but it won’t be easy against Real Madrid. In particular, their disappointing defensive performances will be challenged by French striker Kylian Mbappe, who has already scored 15 goals in 11 matches played so far in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Kairat in the opening match of the season. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Real Madrid 3, Juventus 1 – Xabi Alonso’s version of Real Madrid is essentially an exercise in restrained efficiency, so modest scores come more naturally to the Blancos these days than lopsided victories, but they can make a rare exception and they just might do it on Wednesday. Juventus are all over the place to start the season, which could make it an open season for Kylian Mbappe and co as they look to extend their perfect start to the Champions League. Alonso also has a wide range of attackers at his disposal, each of whom is likely keen to make their mark in Europe as the manager continues to rotate his options while leaving Mbappe at the forefront. – Pardeep Cattery

Best bet: Both teams score and Real Madrid win (+187): They have too much to overcome on the offensive end for Juventus to overcome, especially if the Italian side couldn’t cope with Como away this weekend. But Xabi Alonso’s defense also wasted chances and with talented attackers like Kenan Yildiz, Juventus will find a way to score a goal. Unfortunately, once they do, they have to stop Kylian Mbappe. — Chuck Booth

Chelsea vs. Ajax, 3 p.m. ET

Player to watch: Pedro Neto, Chelsea: Enzo Maresca could be without a host of key attackers on Wednesday, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and potentially Enzo Fernandez. Someone will have to step up in his absence and Neto could well be the most senior striker in the Chelsea XI at kick-off. The Portuguese winger has not achieved consistent form that could justify the $70 million-plus that was paid to Wolves for his services. However, a dynamic match against Nottingham Forest is at least something to build on. — James Bengé

Man of the match: Estevao, Chelsea: The talented Brazilian striker is set to start his first ever Champions League match on Wednesday after playing 45 minutes between the Benfica and Bayern Munich games. Game after game, he became an increasingly important part of Enzo Maresca’s rotations, having also scored a last-minute winner against Liverpool. He now seems ready to take the next step and leave his mark on the European scene. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Chelsea 3, Ajax0 — There is no greater pleasure for a team in inconsistent form than an opponent who will allow them to turn things around, even if the joy only lasts 90 minutes. Chelsea may have a few injuries to contend with and a habit of receiving red cards that hampers their ability to win games more often than they should, but Ajax have been incredibly unimpressive in their first Champions League season in three years, having conceded six goals in two games without scoring any, vulnerable at set pieces and prone to errors at the back. The Blues have just punished Nottingham Forest for having similar attributes this weekend, so expect Enzo Maresca’s side to claim their second victory of the European season in this way. – Pardeep Cattery

Best bet: Chelsea win at zero (+120): While the Blues have had their ups and downs this season, this iteration of Ajax is nothing like those who contested the round of 16 in each Champions League campaign. Chelsea’s defense and former Ajax player Jorrel Hato will be able to take their home win at Stamford Bridge to the much-needed three points in the league stage. — Chuck Booth