Manchester City is a -1667 favorite to beat Crvena Zvezda, meaning that if Pep Guardiola’s men fail to do it, it’s gonna be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Champions League. So, is there a way the Serbian team can grab a point (or all three) against the mighty Cityzens?

The short answer is no. However, considering that Crvena Zvezda players live and breathe the Champions League, it’s only natural to assume they’re going to give their utmost on Tuesday.

Manchester City vs. Crvena Zvezda Odds

*Odds taken from bet365 on Friday, September 15.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England
• Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Paramount+

Manchester City Eager to Start Its UCL Title Defense

The big news coming from Manchester City is that coach Pep Guardiola is back after missing a couple of games due to back surgery. He’s back, which is great news for the Cityzens, although even without him in the dugout, they did very well. With his assistant Juan Manuel Lillo Diez in charge, Man City destroyed Fulham 5-1 on September 2.

That’s actually not much of a surprise given how impressive this team’s roster is in 2023. There are, however, a couple of problems in the Man City squad. The thing is that a couple of their key midfielders are out with an injury, most notably, Kevin De Bruyne, who’s widely considered the best midfielder in the world in 2023.

Mateo Kovacic is also struggling with fitness, and the same goes for Jack Grealish. Nevertheless, the Cityzens do have plenty of quality backups to take their place in Tuesday’s game.

Crvena Zvezda Going All-In on the Defense on Tuesday

The boys from Serbia realize that they stand no chance of beating the reigning Champions League champ. However, it would be crazy to go to Manchester waving a white flag. Instead, they’re going to do their best to try and keep their sheet clean.

It sounds crazy to think they can stop Man City’s offense, but these guys are pretty good defensively. They’ve got a good goalkeeper, Omri Glazer, who’s the first-choice goalie for the Israel national team. They also have Austrian international Aleksandar Dragovic in the defensive line, along with Milan Rodic, Uros Spajic, and a few others who play for the Serbian national team from time to time.

Crvena Zvezda also has a very good midfield, with most of the key players in this area being defensive midfielders. That said, you can expect these guys to be all over the field on Tuesday, trying to ruin Man City’s attacking actions. Will they pull it off?

Manchester City vs. Crvena Zvezda Prediction

Manchester City will win this game, but we don’t think the Cityzens will blow out the Serbian team. The visitors are going to park the bus in front of their goal, so finding the net won’t be easy for the hosts. But they’ve got Erling Haaland and the rest to find the net at least once.

Picks: Manchester City to win & under 3.5 goals

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Barcelona is the only team that’s defeated Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu in more than two years. But maybe Liverpool can beat them on Wednesday? Unfortunately for the Reds, just winning isn’t enough. They need a big win instead.

The good news is that they’ve already proved they have a lot of firepower. Some 10 days ago, they demolished Manchester United 7-0.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool Odds

*Odds taken from bet365 on Friday, March 10, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
• Date: Wednesday, March 15, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Paramount+

Reigning Champions Taking This Game Seriously

Los Blancos do have a comfortable lead on aggregate, but you can be sure they won’t muck around on Wednesday. Instead, it’s very likely that manager Carlo Ancelotti will pick his best XI for the clash with Liverpool.

The main reason is that he knows that the Reds can be tricky in big games. After all, they did knock-out Real’s archrival Barcelona in the 2019 UCL after a historic comeback from being 0-3 down.

Another reason why Los Blancos will go all-in on Wednesday is that the game is played four days before the clash with Barcelona in La Liga. The UCL game would serve as a general rehearsal for the domestic league game.

The Reds to Attack with All They Got

Liverpool need a big win on Wednesday, with at least three goals in Real Madrid’s net. We say “at least” because a 3-0 win would take the game to extra time. And if they concede a goal(s), they will have to score even more than that.

They do have the confidence they can pull it off thanks to the brilliant performance against Manchester United some on March 5. They destroyed their EPL rivals 7-0 with the goals being scored by four different players – Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino.

This fact shows that the Reds have plenty of offensive weapons in their arsenal. In addition to those four, they also got Diogo Jota in the attack, as well as many offensive-minded midfielders.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool Prediction

Liverpool are going to attack ferociously on Wednesday. Does this mean Real Madrid will defend? No way, knowing that they’re playing in front of their fans. Instead, they’re going to fight back. The result is that we’re going to see an incredibly entertaining game.

There should be plenty of goals on both ends, with the visitors probably winning the game. Still, we don’t think they’re going to beat Real Madrid with a big enough advantage to knock the champs out of the competition.

Pick: Liverpool to win & over 3.5 goals

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After Paris Saint – Germain eventually was eliminated from the Champions League during the last – 16 for the 5^th – time over the course of the past 7 – years, Kylian Mbappé seemed to be not so surprised about that.

Media Statements

Upon him reflecting on PSG’s overall team effort resulting in a 3 to 0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, March 8^th, 2023. The French – born striker frankly stated what was on everyone there’s mind, “This kind of performance against the biggest European teams is actually the maximum PSG can deliver.”

“I said it at the beginning of the season, in the first press conference of the season, that we were going to give our all. And that was our all … That’s the truth,” Mbappé said.

Even after 5 – years following him joining PSG, Mbappe has now played in 2 – times as many World Cup finals as he has played in the Champions League finals.

“We’re going to ask ourselves the tough questions and go back to our daily routine, which is the league,” Mbappé expressed.

What a Disappointment!

Because the cash – rich Qatari investors took control of PSG back in 2011, they have been a dominant force in France although they have consistently failed to reproduce that winning success on the European stage even though the Paris Saint – Germain football club spends extreme surpluses of money on huge big – name superstar footballers.

The one and only Champions League final that Paris Saint – Germain was able to make it to was in the pandemic – lessened format of the 2020 season, when it also featured the loss to Bayern Munich. Mbappé as well as Neymar (who cost a total of 402 million euros or $432 million) were both held scoreless in that specific contest.

Superstars not Holding their Value for PSG

Since playmakers such as Javier Pastore rose to be Paris Saint – Germain’s 1^st – major signing for 42 million euros or $45 million back in the year of 2011. PSG’s total net spending has increased to over 1 billion euros or $1.1 billion. Even though the currency display has been quite extreme, Paris Saint – Germain has been unable to build a solid collective with complete depth on their bench, and instead they consistently rely on the individual skills of their very talented big – name superstars.

Back in the day it used to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but now it is dependent on Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar. Neymar is presently out due to an injury up until the end of the season, and he did not play in Munich this week, while Messi as well as Mbappé were silenced by the players of Bayern Munich.

In order to strengthen the football club, Paris Saint – Germain officials had previously discussed the possibility of employing a more versatile full – back as well as some new midfielders, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ousmane Dembélé supposedly were the names that came across the landscape last season.

However, none of them ultimately joined PSG while they once again missed out on the signing of the Inter Milan central defender in Milan Skriniar. During the winter transfer window, Paris Saint – Germain attempted to recruit Hakim Ziyech, but that loan move fell apart due to a late proposal of the necessary documents.

PSG vs. Bayern Munich

In Munich, Germany on Wednesday, March 8^th, 2023 the insurmountable absence of the injured Presnel Kimpembeleft Paris Saint – Germain reliant upon the inexperienced 17 – year – old center back in El Chadaille Bitshiabufollowing Marquinhos as well as Nordi Mukiele both being subbed out for.

“PSG has one of the biggest budgets in Europe and there is no solution on the bench,” the former Paris Saint – Germain player in Edouard Cissé relayed through an interview with the L’Equipe newspaper.

In midfield, another teen in Warren Zaire – Emery was put in the match for the final 15 – minutes as he substituted for Fabian Ruiz.

“You have to turn the game around and you can only put in Zaire – Emery, who is my daughter’s age,” Cisse goes on to say. “You really have to ask yourself questions.”

Following PSG getting taken out of the French Cup by their French rival of Marseille last month, all that Paris Saint – Germain can do this season is possibly win the French league title. With just 12 – matches remaining for PSG to play they currently have an 8 – point advantage over Marseille.

“It’s a big disappointment,” the head coach of Paris Saint – Germain, Christophe Galtier, emphatically explained. “We have to deal with it and accept it. There’s a lot of disappointment in the dressing room. I don’t know if it’s a lesson to be learned, but there’s a lot of frustration.”

With Paris Saint – Germain’s consistency of regularly changing coaches, Galtier’s near future at the helm of the football club certainly looks grim, while Mbappé, who joined from Monaco back in 2017 when he was still a young teen, could be attracted to leave the squad if he feels that he is becoming a huge skill player that is being totally wasted.

“No, no, I’m calm,” Kylian Mbappe proclaimed after he was asked if the defeat versus Bayern Munich would have an influence on his future with Paris Saint – Germain. “My objective is to win the league, and then we’ll see.”

Childhood Dreams of Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé originally joined the Paris Saint Germain football club after leaving Monaco back in 2017 when he was still a youngster (teenager). Kylian has often stated that playing for Real Madrid has always been his childhood dream, and even when he signed his most recent contract extension, the French forward never ruled out making that move happen one day. Now may be that time especially while he is in the prime of his pro football career.

“What will happen in the future, I don’t know,” Kylian Mbappé said back in May of 2022 when he was thinking about a possible transfer.

Kylian Mbappé’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Monaco

• Ligue 1: 2016 – 2017
• Coupe de la Ligue Runner – Up: 2016 – 2017

Paris Saint – Germain

• Ligue 1: 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2021 – 2022
• Coupe de France: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021; Runner – Up: 2018 – 2019
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2017 – 2018, 2019 – 2020
• Trophée des Champions: 2019, 2020
• UEFA Champions League Runner – Up: 2019 – 2020

France U – 19

• UEFA European Under – 19 Championship: 2016

France

• FIFA World Cup: 2018
• UEFA Nations League: 2020 – 2021

Individual

• UEFA European Under – 19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
• UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2017, March 2018, August 2018, February 2019, February 2021, August 2021, February 2022
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2016 – 2017, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021 – 2022
• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018, 2019
• Golden Boy: 2017
• FIFA World Cup Young Player Award: 2018
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
• Kopa Trophy: 2018
• IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2018, 2021
• French Player of the Year: 2018, 2019
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2018
• Ligue 1 Top Goal Scorer: 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021, 2021 – 2022
• Ligue 1 Top assist provider: 2021 – 2022
• Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year: 2021
• Onze de Bronze: 2019
• UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot: 2021

Orders

• Knight of the Legion of Honor: 2018

Lionel Messi’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards

Barcelona

• La Liga (10): 2004 – 2005, 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
• Copa del Rey (7): 2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2020 – 2021
• Supercopa de España (8): 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
• UEFA Champions League: 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009, 2010 – 2011, 2014 – 2015
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015

Paris Saint – Germain

• Ligue 1: 2021 – 2022
• Trophée des Champions: 2022

Argentina U – 20

• FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005

Argentina U – 23

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup: 2022
• Copa América: 2021
• CONMEBOL – UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022

Individual

• Ballon d’Or / FIFA Ballon d’Or (7): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
• The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2019
• European Golden Shoe (6): 2009 – 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 – 2018, 2018 – 2019
• FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, 2022
• FIFA World Cup Silver Boot: 2022
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009, 2011
• FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2005
• FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Boot: 2005
• Copa América Best Player: 2015, 2021
• Copa América Top Goalscorer: 2021
• La Liga Best Player (6): 2008 – 2009, 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, 2014 – 2015
• Pichichi Trophy (8): 2009 − 2010, 2011 – 2012, 2012 − 2013, 2016 – 2017, 2017 − 2018, 2018 – 2019, 2019 – 2020, 2020 – 2021
• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2020
• Argentine Footballer of the Year (14): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Sources:

Petrequin, Samuel. “PSG shows limits in yet another early Champions League exit”. The Associated Press. Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Kylian Mbappé”. Football Reference. Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Football Reference News Services. “Lionel Messi”. Football Reference. Thursday, March 9, 2023.

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When you invest more than $600 million in players, you want to see some results. That’s exactly what Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly demands from his team, but the Blues keep disappointing. Nevertheless, they do still stand a chance to advance to the next stage of the Champions League. For that to happen, they need to beat Dortmund on Tuesday.

Chelsea vs Dortmund Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Stamford Bridge in London, England
• Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Paramount+

Chelsea Going All-In on Tuesday

The Blues have been horrible over the last couple of months, but they still have a chance to salvage the season. They stand a decent chance to advance to the quarterfinal of the 2022-23 Champions League.

After losing just 1-0 to Dortmund in Germany, the Blues can book their ticket to the next stage with a win on Tuesday. We say “just” because Dortmund are great when playing at Westfalen, so losing by just one goal isn’t too bad.

The big question is can Chelsea win in the rematch? They definitely have the manpower to pull it off. Since American businessman Todd Boehly bought the club, Chelsea have invested more than $600 million on transfers. The Blues’ roster is packed with amazing players, but they still haven’t clicked. Maybe they will click on Tuesday?

Dortmund Looking for Their Sixth Straight Away Win

Dortmund have been in fabulous form, both at home and on the road. In away matches, they’re 5-0 this season in all competitions. There is a caveat, however. They haven’t played against too many teams that are as strong as Chelsea.

They did beat the Blues in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. However, it happened on their turf, and if we’re being honest, they weren’t too great in that game. In fact, they had only two shots at goal, one of which went in.

Dortmund players did well at the back in that game. Chelsea had eight shots at goal, but BVB’s goalie Gregor Kobel managed to keep a clean sheet.

Chelsea vs Dortmund Prediction

In their first duel, the Blues were the dominant side, creating plenty of scoring chances. Unfortunately for them, they failed to make them count. This time, however, we think they will get on target. They’ll have their fans to cheer them on to victory.

Pick: Chelsea to win

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Real Madrid is the defending champion, but Los Blancos’ 2022-23 journey could come to an end sooner than expected. It’s because, in the first round of the UCL knockout stage, they’re taking on Liverpool who will probably go all-in.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Odds

*Odds taken from bet365 on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Anfield, Liverpool, England
• Date: Thursday, February 21, 2023
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: CBS

Liverpool’s Only Chance to Win Silverware

The Reds from Liverpool are sitting in the middle portion of the Premier League table with almost 20 points fewer than the table leaders. That said, they practically stand no chance of winning the Prem this season. Jurgen Klopp’s men are also out of the two English cups – the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

What this means is that their only chance to salvage the 2022-23 season is to win the Champions League. Their form suggests they don’t have a good chance of making this dream come true, but the fact is that they do have a pretty decent roster. The only problem is that many of their key men are injured.

In fact, injuries are what caused Liverpool to play poorly throughout this campaign. The good news, however, is that some of their crucial players are going to return within the next couple of weeks – Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Virgil van Dijk, etc.

With these guys in top shape, the Reds do look capable of challenging the UCL trophy. But can they knock Real Madrid out of the competition without those guys on the pitch?

Los Blancos Seem to Love Playing Against Liverpool

Real Madrid won five of their last five duels with Liverpool. The last time they lost to the Reds was in 2009. Further, the last time these two met, Los Blancos defeated the Reds 1-0. It happened last year in the Champions League Final at Stade de France in Paris.

Even though Liverpool had significantly more goal chances than Real, the Spanish heavyweight managed to make its chances count. Los Blancos had only one shot at goal, and it went it.

We expect to see Carlo Ancelotti go with basically the same tactic this coming Tuesday. His team will be the one to defend at Anfield, looking for their chances from set-pieces and counterattacks.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Prediction

Despite being far from impressive this entire season, Liverpool have been great at home. At Anfield, they’ve only suffered one loss this season, which is proof of how important home turf is for this team. We expect them to play well on Tuesday, meaning that we’re almost 100% certain they’re not going to lose. But can they beat the reigning UCL champions?

We think they might. Liverpool will go all-in as the Champions League is the only competition in which they can win a trophy.

Picks: Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals

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