Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Arsenal vs. PSG, Leverkusen vs. Milan too close to call |Max Sporty|

The UEFA Champions League returns with another round of fixed league stages this week, which will ask some of Europe’s top teams to prove their worth just weeks into the competition.

The main act of Day 2 is Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Arsenal, where the French champions will take part in a significant test of their post-Kylian Mbappe plans against the well-drilled English side. It’s not the only match that could be difficult to predict – a clash between Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan could be closely contested, as could Aston Villa’s clash with Bayern Munich.

Teams such as Real Madrid and Liverpool, meanwhile, are looking to build on their strong starts to the campaigns, while injured sides such as Manchester City and Barcelona are eyeing their first wins of the European season.

Before the action begins, here’s a look at expert picks and predictions from the CBSSports.com team.

Don’t miss any of the Champions League. As always, you can catch all our coverage over there Most important+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network throughout the season.

Here are our expert picks for this fight day:

tuesday

Leverkusen vs. Milan

Watch player: Florian Wirtz — He has been as good a forward as almost anyone in Europe so far this season and even in quiet games he finds a way to influence the score. Will the right side anchored by Emerson Royal be able to maintain its discipline and position when Wirtz marauds? If it isn’t, expect the 21-year-old to tear them up. –James Benge

Man of the match: Christian Pulisic — The USMNT winger has had an incredible start to the season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in his first seven games of the season in all competitions. Pulisic has arguably had the best start to a season of his career so far and there are plenty of reasons to think he can continue against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Leverkusen 2-1 Milan — The general consensus is that the hosts will not lose and will score at least twice. While a high-scoring draw shouldn’t be written off, Leverkusen should shade this one. The Germans opened with a win on the road while the Italians let a lead slip before going down to Liverpool. Don’t be surprised if this ends up level, but Xabi Alonso’s men should have just about enough to overcome it. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Both teams to win and over 2.5 goals (-135) — It’s hard to pick a side in this match, but there will be goals. Milan and Leverkusen are both capable of increasing the attacking pressure, but their defenses have also been suspect to start the season. With Florian Wirtz and Christian Pulisic in top form, you even have stars to look to to make the attack that could see this match end with both teams finding the back of the net. — Chuck Booth

Arsenal vs. PSG

Watch player: Gabirel — Can anyone stop the man mountain in Arsenal’s defence? At both ends he harasses opponents, snuffing out forwards big and small before roaring up to drive home yet another goal from a corner. Again, officials were less sympathetic to Arsenal’s physicality in Europe than in the Premier League. If that remains true on Tuesday, then it might be a lot harder for Arsenal to get what would be a valuable win. –James Benge

Man of the match: Bukayo Saka — After scoring just one goal in the first eight games of the season so far, we are all waiting for Saka’s first European goal of the season and the clash against PSG might be the best time for it. The England forward must step up against the French giants, who will not rely on Ousmane Dembele after he was left out of the squad on Monday. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 PSG — Most of the panel like a tight contest with a goal or so in it, so be prepared for a pretty low-scoring affair based on that. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Gunners benefit from the surprise absence of Ousmane Dembele and in Bradley Barcola, PSG still have the tools to hurt Arsenal. However, Mikel Arteta’s men have history on their side, with Paris generally struggling against English opponents, which Luis Enrique experienced first-hand last year with a major loss away at Newcastle United. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Under 2.5 goals (+112) — When it comes to top teams competing in the Champions League, I mean underdogs. Arsenal and PSG can both run up the score, but playing multiple matches in a week is a taxing proposition that allows defenses to win. No team actually needs to win this match to finish in the top eight of the league stage either, so it could be a good under chance. — Chuck Booth

wednesday

Lille against Real Madrid

Watch player: Jonathan David — The striker started his pre-agency season in exactly the fashion needed to convince those who have yet to take the plunge on the Canadian. Through six Ligue 1 games he has five goals, add in some big contributions to get Lille to the league stage and you have a player who really should be on the radars of top sides. Perhaps a goal against the European champions would be all it takes to convince potential suitors. –James Benge

Man of the match: Jude Bellingham — With Kylian Mbappe still in doubt for the game as he recovers from his injury, England midfielder Jude Bellingham must step up and push his team to victory against Lille. Bellingham are still winless in their first six games of the season, and the clash against the French side is the best chance to win their first. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Lille 0-2 Real — It’s no surprise that Real are strong favorites to come away with the win here. There is no France return for Kylian Mbappe at the moment as he is injured, so expect there to be less of a sense of occasion around this one. LOSC can make life difficult for opponents but suffered a bad loss last time out and will be bracing for another defeat here. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Real Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals (+115) — Finding value in betting on Real Madrid matches can be difficult, but it’s always safe to assume two things. First, Real Madrid will win, and, second, there will be goals. Being able to get both of these things combined for plus money is a bet I’ll take every time. — Chuck Booth

Aston Villa vs. Bayern Munich

Watch player: Michael Olise — The winger should like this one. The last time he faced Aston Villa, he and his Crystal Palace teammates exposed vulnerabilities in Unai Emery’s defense that don’t appear to have been addressed over the summer. The France international has hit the ground running with Bayern, three goals and two assists in his last three games putting him in the perfect position to excel on his return to the land of his birth. –James Benge

Man of the match: Harry Kane — The English striker has already scored four goals in the Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb as Bayern Munich were able to win 9-2 against the Croatian team. There is no reason to think he can’t score again against his former Premier League rivals. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Village 1-2 Bayern — Overall, the German giants are favorites to win and make it six points from six. However, Villa got a good win last time out and this will be a huge European night at Villa Park because of the European Cup history of this fixture. Goals for both sides will be expected, but Bayern’s superior continental pedigree could end up being the difference after the end of 90 minutes. — Jonathan Johnson

Best bet: Bayern Munich to win (-140): Coming off a league draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Vincent Kompany will want Bayern to come out of the gate quickly to get to six points in league stage play. Aston Villa are tough customers at home, but when it comes down to it, defending Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise will be too much.