Champions League Predictions: Bayern Munich's Advantage and AC Milan's Challenges
Champions League/Soccer

Champions League Predictions: Bayern Munich's Advantage and AC Milan's Challenges

Detailed expert insights and predictions for the upcoming Champions League matches, focusing on Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

It is officially time for teams to win or go home in the UEFA Champions League this week, when the second leg of the knockout phase playoffs will take place – and at least one European champion will face an early exit.

Six teams enter this week’s action with only a one goal lead, including Champions League winners Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, meaning the stakes are high when teams hit the pitch. That’s especially true in Madrid, where the reigning champions will take on Manchester City in this week’s most anticipated matchup. Bayern’s first leg victory over Celtic does not necessarily mean it’s a sure thing that they will advance, either, considering the German side’s surprising vulnerabilities that were on display in the last week.

Before the action begins, here are a batch of picks and predictions from the CBS Sports team:

Tuesday’s Champions League slate

Matchup James Benge Jonathan Johnson Francesco Porzio Chuck Booth Pardeep Cattry
Atalanta vs. Brugge 2-0 3-1 2-0 1-1 1-0
Benfica vs. AS Monaco 2-1 0-1 (Monaco on pens) 2-0 1-1 2-0
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic 2-0 3-1 3-0 3-0 1-0
AC Milan vs. Feyenoord 1-1 1-1 2-0 2-1 1-1

Player to watch: Dayot Upamecano

The French center back has a reputation for enormous quality and calamitous mistakes. Of late Upamecano is marking games with much less of the latter, looking like a robust defender who can be trusted to avoid any damaging errors. Still, it only takes a moment to change that and turn this tie on its head. – James Benge

Man of the match: Harry Kane

This is one of those games where the English striker doesn’t miss. The former Tottenham player is having a very solid season with 29 goals scored in the 30 games he’s played in all competitions. After scoring in the first leg of the playoffs last week in Glasgow, we can expect him to be on the scoresheet this week as well. – Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Bayern 3, Celtic 1

Although the Germans were fortunate a few times in the first leg, they should get the job done here with minimal fuss. The Scottish giants will be looking for an early goal to put their hosts under pressure, but this one should ultimately go Bayern’s way. – Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Harry Kane to score and Bayern Munich to lead at halftime (-101)

Looking to get off to a fast start at home, there’s no surprise that Bayern’s attack will funnel through Kane, who can’t be stopped by any team in the world right now. But Kane just to score isn’t at what I’d consider a playable number, so adding the Bayern halftime result from a quick start brings things to a more appealing number. – Chuck Booth

AC Milan vs. Feyenoord

Player to watch: Mike Maignan – It has not been the best time for the France international lately, his clumsy near post effort in last week’s first leg hardly the first error he has committed lately. In an away goal era that mistake and Milan’s failure to score could be costly. Even now, he has amends to make. – James Benge

Man of the match: Santiago Gimenez – The Mexican striker had a good start at the Italian club after the Rossoneri signed him from this same Feyenoord in the January transfer window. Gimenez has already scored two goals in the two Serie A games he’s played against Empoli and Hellas Verona, but he’s now called to make the difference also against his former team. – Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Milan 1, Feyenoord 1 – The Italians face an uphill task after last week’s narrow defeat, so do not be surprised to see a tight encounter. If The Dutch outfit score then it will be extremely difficult for the Rossoneri to pull this one out of the fire, but there is always a chance if Milan strike first that they could flip this one on its head. – Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Both teams to score (-128) – Milan’s defense has left much to be desired this season and in what will be a tense clash, both teams will be out to shoot early and often in what could be an open affair in Milan. We already saw in the first leg how Milan can give away a goal and even in their home stadium, Feyenoord will be able to capitalize on mistakes in the second leg as well. – Chuck Booth

Next article

Champions League Expert Predictions: AC Milan in Jeopardy, Bayern Munich Set to Advance

Newsletter

Get the most talked about stories directly in your inbox

Every week we share the most relevant news in tech, culture, and entertainment. Join our community.

Your privacy is important to us. We promise not to send you spam!