Champions League picks, predictions: Experts split on Manchester United, Arsenal cruise at Sevilla, more

The UEFA Champions League returns this week with Matchday 3 as teams will face new opponents in the group stage before facing them again on Matchday 4. Potential six-point swings across the next two games can make or break a team’s European dreams with sides such as Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain looking to prove they actually have what it takes to compete.

Who will come away victorious across 16 games on Tuesday and Wednesday? Find out below with our UCL picks:

Matchday 3 TV schedule

All times Eastern

CBSSports.com writers Matchday 3 — Tuesday’s picks

Manchester United vs. Copenhagen

by James Benge

One matchup to watch: VIctor Lindelof vs. Mohamed Elyounoussi – Such is the threadbare nature of United’s defense they may well have to play center back, Lindelof, out wide again. On the flanks he could be tested by Elyounoussi, scorer of Kobenhavn’s first goal of this season’s group stage and the man whose direct running crafted their opening in the hard fought defeat to Bayern Munich. The Norway international is certain to ask questions aplenty of his Scandinavian counterpart.

Most likely to score a goal: Bruno Fernandes – Given his recent exploits for club and country, Scott McTominay looks a tempting shout in this category but in what might well prove to be a tense, attritional affair it is generally United’s captain who tends to deliver. Fernandes is averaging more than three shots in this season’s Champions League and will surely have license to pull the trigger wherever he is on the pitch.

Man of the Match pick: Jonny Evans – The bigger picture does not look that good for United when the man who has brought a measure of composure to their defense is a 35 year old who has been racked by injuries over recent years. However, Evans has done that and on high stakes nights like Tuesday his authority could help carry the day.

Match prediction: Manchester United 1, Copenhagen 0: This is unlikely to be one for the purists but United should eventually be able to find their way to their first points of the competition.

Sevilla vs. Arsenal

by James Benge

One matchup to watch: Dodi Lukebakio vs. Oleksandr Zinchenko – For the most part this season Arsenal’s defense has looked formidable, capable of locking opponents down to half a dozen shots. If there is a weak link, however, it is at left back, where Zinchenko was run ragged by Raheem Sterling in Saturday’s draw with Chelsea, such that Mikel Arteta felt compelled to withdraw him. If Sevilla are to get any joy in this game it could well come from their summer signing Lukebakio, who has had a few impressive outings since arriving from Hertha Berlin.

Most likely to score a goal: Gabriel Jesus – The Brazilian seems to come alive in the Champions League, where he has scored 20 goals at a rate of one every 123 minutes. That isn’t just a function of having played for Manchester City, he has two in two for the Gunners on their return to the big time. 

Man of the Match pick: Declan Rice – Even when Arsenal are off color, as they were on Saturday, Rice is at least very, very good. He has largely excelled in everything he does since his £105 million move and will see little cause for concern when facing off against the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Djibril Sow.

Match prediction: Sevilla 0, Arsenal 1: The Andalusians have shown themselves capable of battling to draws in recent weeks whilst Arsenal’s attack is perhaps not what it was last season. Still the Gunners should have just about enough to get their second win of the group stage.

CBSSports.com writers Matchday 3 — Wednesday’s picks

PSG vs. Milan

by Jonathan Johnson

One matchup to watch: Achraf Hakimi vs. Rafael Leao — One of Milan’s main threats will come from the left where Rafael Leao is up against the attack-minded Achraf Hakimi. How responsible Luis Enrique can get the Moroccan to be at the back could play a big part in shaping how much joy the Italians get going forward. Although the key positional battles will arguably come in midfield, this individual duel impacts both ends of the field given how productive Hakimi has been so far this season.

Most likely to score a goal: Kylian Mbappe — Back in the goals after a recent drought with PSG, the French superstar warmed up for this one with a goal and assist against Strasbourg at the weekend. Mbappe was muted against Newcastle last time out and the French champions know that they must win against the Rossoneri to keep Group F’s top spot in their sights. Expect the Parisien talisman to come up big with the game deciding moment.

Man of the Match pick: Mike Maignan — An emotional homecoming for France’s new No. 1 and a potential audition for a future return to Paris. Mike Maignan could be the difference between the sticks for Milan and will be key to Stefano Pioli’s hopes of coming away from Parc des Princes with at least a point. Gianluigi Donnarumma was Milan’s past and is PSG’s present, but will the French shot stopper be the Ligue 1 giants’ future?

Match prediction: PSG 1-0 Milan — A tight one given Milan’s defensive solidity, but expect the hosts to do just enough to edge the contest and take the points. This is a must-win for PSG while the Rossoneri must not lose it and a point would be acceptable for the Italians in Paris. Big moments decide big games and this one appears set to be decided by the narrowest of margins on Wednesday.

Young Boys vs. Man City 

by Chuck Booth

One matchup to watch: Rico Lewis vs. the Young Boys midfield – In a match that City are expected to win there’s time for some rotation. When John Stones was injured, Rico Lewis stepped into Pep Guardiola’s inverted fullback role and it’s something that he could do again in this match. Guardiola has already praised the 18-year-old for how quickly he has picked up on things and a match against the Swiss side will provide more valuable experience for Lewis who could follow the Phil Foden route to rise from being an academy kid at City to in the first XI eventually.

Most likely to score a goal: Jeremy Doku – Hitting the ground running for City, if Doku starts the match his pace will crate nightmares for Young Boys. While Erdling Haaland is the standard pick here, the attention that he draws from defenses does make it easier for other members of City’s squad to hurt you and that’s where Doku comes into play. Already with two goals and two assists in only nine appearances for the club, he’ll add to that.

Man of the Match pick: Rodri – Seeing what Manchester City did, or more importantly didn’t do, without Rodri while he served a three-game suspension, he’s going to likely be my man of the match pick until further notice. The stability that he brings in midfield and improvement to the defense goes a long way to make sure that City win the game that they should win while also popping up with goals of his own at times.

Match prediction: Manchester City 3 – Young Boys 0 – City are a team that can run up the score when they want but usually do just enough to get by in matches like this. While they’ll have plenty of chances to continue scoring,t once Doku and Haaland find the back of the net, there won’t be much of a reason to push for more goals. They’ll grab a third with Young Boys trying to score a goal in a game where even a 3-0 score will make it seem like it was closer than it actually was.