Champions League pick: Manchester United without Ole Gunnar Solskjaer; Sheriff against Real Madrid; Man City vs PSG

The UEFA Champions League game returns on Tuesday as many teams face a tough time with just two matchdays left in the group stage. Manchester City against PSG have enough power to carry the slate, but there are plenty of other important games as Sheriff Tiraspol is up for the knockout stage as he hosts Real Madrid, and we will have our first Live preview of Manchester United position Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Villareal welcomes Red Devils.
All UCL matches are available to stream on Paramount +. Below, our football experts at CBS Sports have you covered with our picks and predictions:
Key matches
Villarreal v Manchester United, Tuesday, 12:45 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Villarreal v Manchester United
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: Villarreal 1, Manchester United 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: Geronimo Rulli
WHY: Villarreal probably doesn’t have the offensive firepower to do too much damage to United, but a good performance at the back and they could perhaps exploit United’s insecurities enough to steal a point.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: Villarreal 1, Manchester United 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo
WHY: With Ole at the door, a homecoming will see Manchester United going about business with Mr UCL himself Cristiano Ronaldo carrying the team to victory.
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: Villarreal 1, Manchester United 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Dani Parego
WHY: Parejo is an ageless marvel who leads Villarreal’s midfielder, and United’s weakest point is controlling the center of the pitch. Look for him to create a goal with his relentless passes.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: Villarreal 1, Manchester United 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: David De Gea
WHY: The Red Devils are vulnerable while the Spaniards need a win and another De Gea masterclass will be needed to secure a point.
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Chelsea vs Juventus, Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Chelsea vs Juventus
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: Chelsea 2, Juventus 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: N’Golo Kanté
WHY: Chelsea are back to humming at both ends of the pitch and the Frenchman rarely disappoints in the bigger games.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: Chelsea 1, Juventus 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: Reece james
WHY: It’s difficult with Chelsea and Juventus who have had good results this weekend. Since a two-goal win can see Chelsea at the top of the group, I think they will be strong here, but that won’t be enough as they can settle for a draw.
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: Chelsea 1, Juventus 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Reece james
WHY: James has come out on top for Chelsea in the past two months and Tuchel is adjusting his tactics to let the wing go wild. Juventus’ defense has improved recently, but James is in the kind of form that can make even the best defenses stupid.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: Chelsea 1, Juventus 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jorginho
WHY: Thomas Tuchel doesn’t like second best and the roster leaves just about enough challenge to outsmart Massimiliano Allegri for first place. It will be tight, however.
Barcelona v Benfica, Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Barcelona v Benfica
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: Barcelona 1, Benfica 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Gavi
WHY: Barcelona looked a lot more like the real Barcelona in Xavi’s first game. He will certainly trust his youngsters to deliver and every indication of their recent progress suggests they will.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: Barcelona 2, Benfica 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Memphis depay
WHY: One Memphis Depay a day keeps the doctor away. Barcelona will take away their victory in the derby and the good feelings of having Xavi on the sideline to qualify for the next round of UCL.
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: Barcelona 1, Benfica 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Gerard pique
WHY: One thing Xavi knows well is that against a committed defense, sometimes, even if you have all the possession in the world, it takes a set goal from a strong defender to get the necessary three points.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: Barcelona 2, Benfica 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: Memphis depay
WHY: This one might need a later winner to decide it, but Xavi will take his first Champions League victory to continue his good start to life at Camp Nou.
Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain, Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Manchester City against PSG
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: Man City 2, PSG 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Phil foden
WHY: PSG are rife with doubt and contention as City sails with plenty of room to accelerate. It could be a chance for Guardiola’s side to really flex their muscles.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: Man City 2, PSG 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: João Cancelo
WHY: As always, this is a game that could go both ways. Messi couldn’t have scored his first goal at PSG at a better time with City ahead, but Cancelo’s form is irrelevant.
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: Man City 2, PSG 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Phil foden
WHY: City continue to impress, while PSG’s version of the wrestling ball despite their stars continues to disappoint. In this case, it will be Foden’s deception that wins.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: Man City 1, PSG 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kylian Mbappé
WHY: With all eyes on Mauricio Pochettino as the united ties intensify, the French giants will put on one of their best performances of the season.
Atlético Madrid v AC Milan, Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Atlético Madrid v AC Milan
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: Atlético Madrid 2, AC Milan 3
MAN OF THE MATCH: Olivier Giroud
WHY: Atletico’s defense looks like one that can be reached. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Milan may well do enough to stay alive in Europe a little longer.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: Atlético Madrid 2, AC Milan 0
MAN OF THE MATCH: Angel Corréa
WHY: Milan have shown that they are not a strong enough team to compete on both fronts, so with any chance of winning the Serie A title I don’t see why they would want to win this game when it gives them more European matches to play. .
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: Atlético Madrid 0, AC Milan 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: Brahim diaz
WHY: It was an incredibly disappointing CL return for Milan despite some encouraging performances. Look for a typical Atleti defensive masterclass, thwarted by a moment of magic.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: Atlético Madrid 1, AC Milan 1
MAN OF THE MATCH: Antoine Griezmann
WHY: Both teams could do with the win although that wouldn’t change much with the Italians looking at the Europa League at best and the Spaniards second.
FC Sheriff vs Real Madrid, Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount +)
Featured Game | Sheriff Tiraspol vs Real Madrid
NAME: James benge
TO TAKE: FC Sheriff 0, Real Madrid 4
MAN OF THE MATCH: Karim Benzema
WHY: The party is not over yet for the sheriff even though they need a favor from the Shakhtar. The Moldovans have lived dangerously without a ball throughout the group stage, which will eventually lead to a heavy defeat.
NAME: Chuck booth
TO TAKE: FC Sheriff 0, Real Madrid 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: Vinicius Junior
WHY: The Sheriff has been in the Champions League for ages, but Real Madrid won’t be featured twice by them.
NAME: Mike L. Goodman
TO TAKE: FC Sheriff 0, Real Madrid 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: Karim Benzema
WHY: The sheriff shocked the world last time around, but didn’t stop Madrid from creating a ton of good chances. This time, look for Benzema, by far the best La Liga player this season to put one aside.
NAME: Jonathan johnson
TO TAKE: FC Sheriff 1, Real Madrid 3
MAN OF THE MATCH: Karim Benzema
WHY: Los Blancos will avenge their humiliating home loss to the Minnows earlier this season and a reminder who’s boss.