Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus headline Tuesday action

Player to watch: Conor Gallagher – At the heart of Atletico Madrid’s lengthy winning run, one stopped in shocking fashion by Leganes at the weekend, Gallagher typifies the qualities that will be needed to quell Leverkusen. Can the hosts press high while still having bodies back if their opponents break through the lines? Can they get bodies around Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez? Gallagher is the man for those tasks and many more. — James Benge

Man of the match: Antoine Griezmann — The Frenchman has had a strong first part of the season where he scored 12 goals in all competitions, four in the opening six Champions League matches. Griezmann is the kind of striker who steps up during the most challenging games, like the one against Xabi Alonso’s side. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Atleti 1, Leverkusen 1 — A draw between these two feels about right given their respective positions which are separated by seven places, albeit just one single point with one game to go after this. A point or better here could make all the difference in terms of a top 8 finish — especially for Xabi Alonso’s men who are currently in that band. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Both teams to score (-130) — In a clash of some of the most exciting attacking teams in the world, this could go a few different ways. While they could rack up goals left and right, there’s also a strong chance of the match ending 1-1 because it’s not like they’re strangers to defending against top talent either. Considering the stakes of this match, as soon as the first goal goes in, the second will quickly follow because the winner will have a strong chance at finishing in the top eight of the league phase. — Chuck Booth

Player to watch: Inaki Pena – So far in league and Europe the starting spot between the posts has been Pena’s to lose. Is he starting to do just that? The 25-year-old hasn’t kept a clean sheet since a win over Brest in late November and Wojciech Szczesny’s name is being increasingly discussed as a serious contender for the Barcelona goalkeeping spot. Pena has work to do. — James Benge

Man of the match: Raphinha — The Brazilian winger is the best form of his career as he’s scored 19 goals so far in all competitions, and six in the opening six Champions League matches. Raphinha’s impressive form is one of the reasons for the successful European campaign as the side coached by Hansi Flick are in second place with five wins and one defeat, as only Liverpool had a better start of the League Phase. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Benfica 2, Barcelona 2 — This one feels like a potential trap game for Barca who are within reach of securing a top 8 berth. The Portuguese hosts have performed better against the bigger teams and notably beaten both Atletico Madrid and Monaco. Do not be surprised by a draw here with both sides scoring. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Barcelona to lead at halftime (+145) — Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona have been no strangers to fast starts to matches. With so many star attackers in the XI even an injury to Dani Olmo won’t slow Barcelona down from netting a goal in the first half and the return of Ronald Araujo improves the defense by leaps and bounds. This is a better Benfica side than they get credit for but it won’t matter on Tuesday. — Chuck Booth

Player to watch: Phil Foden – Is the player of the year form coming back to Manchester City’s homegrown hero? Foden’s last four games have delivered five goals and two assists, the 24-year-old excelling in a rout over Ipswich Town on Sunday. Settling back into a wide right role where he starred last season, Foden has found form and rhythm even if City are struggling. — James Benge

Man of the match: Erling Haaland – It’s going to be a heated clash between two of the most disappointing sides of the league phase that are fighting to avoid elimination in the last two matchdays, and the Norwegian is expected to deliver, especially after signing an unprecedented new deal for 9.5 years, worth around $610,000 (£500,000) per week. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: PSG 2, City 1 — This is a game that neither side can afford to lose, which is especially true for Paris. Luis Enrique’s men do not have an issue creating chances against teams in Europe, but they have had trouble taking those openings and this is a game where home advantage must be made to count, which is not always the case with Les Parisiens. Expect the margins to be very tight and fear of elimination to be palpable at times with a score draw also a very strong possibility. Ultimately, though, PSG cannot afford anything less than a tie and will need to get a result in Stuttgart regardless of the result at Parc des Princes. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist (+125) — This game could be Manchester City’s season and in those moments, the two players who end up stepping up are usually De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Pep Guardiola hailed the Belgian’s return to from and despite this being a tough away match, he’ll be able to get involved in the attack to keep City in the game. — Chuck Booth

Player to watch: Rodrygo – Madrid’s big match winner in the Champions League has struggled for form in continental matches so far this season with just a solitary assist to his name. However, the best version of Rodrygo has begun to emerge in La Liga, where he delivered a goal and assist against Las Palmas last time out. This could be the perfect occasion to get among the goals. — James Benge

Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe — The French superstar is finally delivering and his numbers are back on the expected track, after scoring 12 goals in 18 La Liga games, but only two in six Champions League ties. The game against RB Salzburg is the perfect chance for him to turn things around on the European stage. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Real 4, Salzburg 0 — The Austrians and their Red Bull-owned cousins in Leipzig have had a Champions League campaign to forget. Expect them to be put out of their misery here with a thrashing at the hands of an underwhelming Real who have favorable remaining fixtures on their side. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Over 1.5 goals in the first half (-144) — The beauty of this format is that goal difference matters in the table and with Real Madrid only on nine points with a goal difference of 1, they have every reason to look to win emphatically facing a Salzburg side that has seemed overmatched during the league phase. If Real Madrid’s finishing is where it needs to be, this is a match that could be at 4-0 by halftime. — Chuck Booth