UEFA Champions League predictions, odds, picks, Tuesday schedule, watch, live stream: Can PSG take down City?

The UEFA Champions League’s second matchday is underway. Sixteen matches across Tuesday and Wednesday will provide teams with a chance to continue their fine starts or possibly get on track as just four group-stage games will remain after this week. The slate on Tuesday is highlighted by Manchester City traveling to face PSG, while AC Milan also welcome Atletico Madrid to the San Siro. Two games will kickoff in the early time slot of 12:55 p.m. ET with six games at 3 p.m. ET. All games are available on Paramount+.

So, who is going to win these matches? Our CBS Sports soccer experts have you covered with our predictions below:

Craving even more coverage of the world’s game? Listen below and subscribe to ¡Qué Golazo! A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast where we take you beyond the pitch and around the globe for commentary, previews, recaps and more.   

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Inter Milan

Time: Tuesday, 12:45 p.m. ET (Paramount+)

Thomas Rongen: Both sides are under pressure to pick up a result due to their losses on Matchday 1. Expect a tight game in Ukraine, but Inter’s superior quality, particularly in the final third, will just shine through to help them pick up an important three points. Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 1, Inter Milan 2

Fabrizio Romano: It won’t be as easy a match as it may seem, and Inter won’t have much of a margin for error. Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Inter Milan 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: These two met in the Champions League the last time around in December, and Inter wasted away some previous chances in a stalemate but I have a feeling they will not commit the same mistake again. Especially since they lost their first game against Real Madrid two weeks ago.  Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Inter Milan 2

Jonathan Johnson: The Italian champions will tap into their domestic form to earn three valuable points on the road. Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 1, Inter Milan 2

James Benge: It’s still a little bit difficult to be fully convinced with an Inter side that disappointed in the Champions League for so long but considering they’ve performed above expectation in Serie A so far it seems fair to give them the benefit of the doubt against a Shakhtar side who looked ill at ease when asked to set the agenda against Sheriff. Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 1, Inter Milan 2

Roger Gonzalez: The Inter defense shows up as Lautaro Martinez scores twice.  Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Inter Milan 2

Mike L. Goodman: Milan keep scoring goals in Serie A, and despite a late loss to Madrid in their Champions League opener looked like much the better side. Shakhtar meanwhile lost at Sherriff. Pick: Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Inter Milan 2

Ajax vs. Besiktas

Time: Tuesday, 12:45 p.m. ET (Paramount+)

Thomas Rongen: Besiktas already arrive in Amsterdam as major underdogs, their extensive injury list only compounds their problems. Ajax have been in fine form this season, and should overrun a depleted Besiktas side on home turf, given their impressive attacking ranks. Pick: Ajax 3, Besiktas 0

Fabrizio Romano: Quality can make a difference for ten Hag’s men, especially in attack. Pick: Ajax 2, Besiktas 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: Since Ajax beat Sporting 5-1 in the opening game, the Dutch side have won 9-0, 5-0 and 3-0 in all competitions. Basically, this is a team that cares little about you and if you give them an opportunity they will punish you. At home, this statement is even more emphatic.  Pick: Ajax 3, Besiktas 0

Jonathan Johnson: The Dutch giants will continue their prolific start with another clear-cut win. Pick: Ajax 2, Besiktas 0

James Benge: Erik ten Hag’s side was exceptional in the opening week and whilst backing Sebastien Haller to keep the goals flowing seems a risky prospect there is no reason to doubt the quality in other spots on the pitch. This Ajax team are going to be one to keep an eye on during the tournament. Pick: Ajax 2, Besiktas 0

Roger Gonzalez: Ajax are red-hot in UCL and aren’t stopping anytime soon as Sebastien Haller scores again.  Pick: Ajax 2, Besiktas 0

Mike L. Goodman: Every year Ajax show they’re good enough to be in the upper echelons of this competition, this is no different. Pick: Ajax 3, Besiktas 1

Real Madrid vs. Sheriff

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)  

Thomas Rongen: Sheriff are more than capable of making this an uncomfortable evening for Real Madrid, with the Moldovan outfit impressing in their two-goal success over Shakhtar. That said, it difficult to predict anything other than Los Blancos win taking everything into consideration. Pick: Real Madrid 2, Sheriff 0

Fabrizio Romano: Sheriff want to impress, but Real Madrid are too strong. Pick: Real Madrid 4, Sheriff 0

Luis Miguel Echegaray: Los Blancos have looked good under Carlo Ancelotti and Kareem Benzema has been on fire. Sheriff will put up a good fight and make it uncomfortable, but the most successful club in this tournament might just be too much to handle.  Pick: Real Madrid 2, Sheriff 1

Jonathan Johnson: The minnows to taste dreamland with an early opener before the Spanish giants come back strong. Pick: Real Madrid 3, Sheriff 1

James Benge: Carlo Ancelotti’s side surely have too much star power across the pitch for their visitors from Moldova even if staying deep and hitting Madrid on the counter is a gameplan that could suit Sheriff very well indeed. Ultimately Karim Benzema promises to be too much for the Champions League rookies. Pick: Real Madrid 3, Sheriff 1

Roger Gonzalez: Sheriff impressed in their first match, but can they do it against the big boys? I don’t think so. Pick: Real Madrid 4, Sheriff 0

Mike L. Goodman: Sheriff impress, but Madrid pull it out late because they are, after all, Real Madrid. Pick: Real Madrid 1, Sheriff 0

AC Milan vs. Atletico Madrid

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+) 

Thomas Rongen: Simeone must find a solution to Atletico’s attacking woes soon. The Rossoneri will certainly have a hard time breaking down their visitors’ own resilient backline. Expect the two sides’ search for a first European win of the season to continue following a hard-fought draw. Pick: AC Milan 1, Atletico Madrid 1

Fabrizio Romano: Experience, history, a game that will be beautiful and decisive for this group. It can end in a draw. Pick: AC Milan 1, Atletico Madrid 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: This one is tough to predict. On one hand, both need a win as neither was able to get all three points in the opening round. The offensive side of things favors Milan but Atletico will be compact and careful, hoping to – at the very least – get a draw.  Pick: AC Milan 2, Atletico Madrid 2

Jonathan Johnson: The Italians will edge a tight contest for an important continental win. Pick: AC Milan 1, Atletico Madrid 0

James Benge: Stefano Pioli’s side may not have the years of Champions League experience available to Diego Simeone but they are playing winning football and proved against Liverpool that the biggest of stages do not intimidate them. Atletico might be tough to score on but they just do not seem to be offering the thrust at the other end to scare Milan. Pick: AC Milan 2, Atletico Madrid 1

Roger Gonzalez: Very defensive, few chances and a goal for each as they share the points. Pick: AC Milan 1, Atletico Madrid 1

Mike L. Goodman: Lost in the La Liga storm is the fact that Diego Simeone’s defending champions Atleti are off to an uninspiring start, including a 1-0 loss to Alaves last time out. Pick: AC Milan 1, Atletico Madrid 0

Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)    

Thomas Rongen: BVB certainly excel going forward, they boast immense quality to condemn the Portuguese champions to another defeat. If Erling Haaland is deemed fit, he will hope to continue his eye-catching form on the continental stage with another rampant performance. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 3, Sporting 1

Fabrizio Romano: The difference can be the attack, where Erling Haaland is more than a factor. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 3, Sporting 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: Let’s see. Sporting were embarrassed by Ajax and now they have to face Erling Haaland. I think we all know the outcome. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 3, Sporting 1

Jonathan Johnson: The Germans will react to their setback over the weekend with a win thanks to the returning Erling Haaland. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 2, Sporting 1

James Benge: It’s the Champions League so it’s wise to assume Erling Haaland will score at least one, assuming he is fit. Take Marco Reus out of this team as well and the result could be very different. Though Dortmund wobbled at the weekend they have a similar ferocity to their attack that Ajax showed in the opening matchday, it should be enough to carry them past a Sporting side who haven’t really got up and running this season. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 2, Sporting 1

Roger Gonzalez: If Erling Haaland plays, this one shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. If he misses, don’t be shocked to see Sporting get a point. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 2, Sporting 0

Mike L. Goodman: Dortmund are a rip-roaring fun team with all the attack and a shambles of a defense, they’re also better than Sporing. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 3, Sporting 2

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)    

Thomas Rongen: PSG’s perfect record in Ligue 1 does not exactly tell the full story given some of their under-par performances, while the potential loss of Messi will certainly be felt in a clash of this magnitude. Having had recent experience prevailing in battles with their French counterparts, Man City ought to feel confident about their chances of repeating the trick at the Parc des Princes, and they will just do that by the narrowest of margins. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 1, Manchester City 2

Fabrizio Romano: A fantastic game full of champions, the home factor can become decisive. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 2, Manchester City 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: For all their star power, PSG are disjointed and it seems — at least from a distant eye — that there is no team unity. This is a problem for Mauricio Pochettino, who has to deal with a Man City side who are the complete opposite. Guardiola’s side is clicking, well organized and with plenty of threat all over the pitch. The No. 9 issue still remains a worry for me, but at least in this game, I don’t see anything but a Man City victory. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 1, Manchester City 2

Jonathan Johnson: We have been waiting for the French giants to click all season and this is where they finally do it. PSG have a knack of getting results against their biggest group opponents in Europe as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have all found out in the past. Messi and his new teammates will get it done here to silence the growing critics. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 3, Manchester City 2

James Benge: The shirt sales, crypto tie-ins and pure unadulterated vibes may have gone through the roof in Paris of late but the football has hardly been enough to set Europe’s best teams quivering. Given time together you might trust PSG’s big three to break down Manchester City’s outstanding defense but on the basis of what we have seen so far this season Mauricio Pochettino can only really pin his hopes on star quality. Pep Guardiola has that and it all slots perfectly into a team tailor made for him. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 0, Manchester City 1

Roger Gonzalez: So many storylines and so much attacking talent. In the end, neither get the result they wanted. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 1, Manchester City 1

Mike L. Goodman: PSG aren’t close to their final form, and Manchester City just utterly shut down Chelsea. When these teams meet again, PSG might be better positioned to pry apart Man City’s defense, but not this time. Pick: Paris Saint-Germain 0, Manchester City 1

Porto vs. Liverpool

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)    

Thomas Rongen: Porto have proven themselves as a tough nut to crack both domestically and continentally, while their home record in the group stages speaks for itself. Klopp cannot afford to take any games in Group B lightly and must also factor in the impending visit of Man City, but a rotated Reds side will still have enough firepower to come away with all three points in a tightly fought affair. Pick: Porto 1, Liverpool 2

Fabrizio Romano: Great moment for Klopp’s team, winning in Porto will be a huge boost in securing a spot in the next round. Pick: Porto 1, Liverpool 3

Luis Miguel Echegaray: Porto remains undefeated this season and it’s no coincidence. They are a tough nut to crack. Liverpool have been one of the best teams in Europe but I think the Brentford game took a lot out of them. Could be cagey draw.  Pick: Porto 1, Liverpool 1

Jonathan Johnson: The Portuguese to hold Jurgen Klopp and his men to a draw which opens Group B up a little. Pick: Porto 1, Liverpool 1

James Benge: A couple of wobbles against Brentford and AC Milan shouldn’t hide the fact that Liverpool right now look to be Europe’s unstoppable attacking juggernaut. Porto are very strong defensively but even they may be overwhelmed when Jurgen Klopp’s front five stretch the field. Pick: Porto 1, Liverpool 3

Roger Gonzalez: The Reds are looking sharp with Diogo Jota continuing to improve. Three more points here to take command of the group. Pick: Porto 0, Liverpool 2

Mike L. Goodman: Liverpool had a shocking draw against Brentford at the weekend but top to bottom, they’ve been one of the best teams in Europe this season. That continues here. Pick: Porto 0, Liverpool 2

RB Leipzig vs. Club Brugge

Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)  

Thomas Rongen: Leipzig have their work cut out to breach a watertight Brugge, but a six-goal crushing victory in the Bundesliga will have done wonders for their confidence. Clement’s side produced the goods against PSG in front of their own supporters and cannot be written off by any stretch, but Leipzig will keep their strong Champions League home run going with all three points. Pick: RB Leipzig 2, Club Brugge 0

Fabrizio Romano: Not an easy game, but the hosts can win with determination. Pick: RB Leipzig 2, Club Brugge 1

Luis Miguel Echegaray: RB Leipzig and Jesse Marsch finally delivered this past weekend, and what a way to do it. 6-0 against Hertha Berlin. I think this is the beginning of a good run and it continues with a strong victory over Brugge.  Pick: RB Leipzig 3, Club Brugge 1

Jonathan Johnson: Jesse Marsch will get his troops firing to leave Group A fairly balanced after the opening two rounds of games. Pick: RB Leipzig 3, Club Brugge 1

James Benge: The Belgians definitely showed that they are not to be taken for granted in Matchday 1 whereas most of this early season has proven that Leipzig could not be so consistently bled of talent while still being competitive. Having said that there is still just about enough talent available to Jesse Marsch to convince you that his side can win against the weakest side in the group. Pick: RB Leipzig 2, Club Brugge 1

Roger Gonzalez: Jesse Marsch’s men get back on track with a festival of goals after a big weekend in the Bundesliga. Pick: RB Leipzig 4, Club Brugge 1

Mike L. Goodman: Leipzig have had a rough start to life under Jesse Marsch, but coming off a 6-0 in Germany, they keep the ball rolling. Pick: RB Leipzig 2, Club Brugge 0

---

Thanks for checking us out, and good luck with your picks!