Champions League is back: Expect Vini to give Liverpool fits, Pep Guardiola to tinker with Man City’s lineup
Vini #Vini
It might be a holiday Monday in the United States, but the soccer world isn’t slowing down. The Champions League ploughs ahead this week with more round of 16 action. Meanwhile, the title race in the Premier League took yet another seismic shift following a couple of stoppage-time goals from Arsenal at Aston Villa. Enjoy the extra down time, and while you’re at it, lets get you ready for your Champions League week.
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📺 Champions League schedule
All times U.S./Eastern.
Tuesday⚽ Liverpool vs. Real Madrid, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+ and CBS
⚽ Frankfurt vs. Napoli, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
Wednesday⚽ Leipzig vs, Man City, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+ and CBS
⚽ Inter vs. Porto, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
📝 Bold predictions: Welcome to the Vini show
With Champions League returning, it’s time for some bold picks as James Benge looks at the action ahead:
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool:
Frankurt vs. Napoli:
Leipzig vs. Man City:
Inter vs. Porto:
Make sure you check out the rest of Benge’s bold predictions here.
Sponsored by Paramount+ 🇺🇸 Swanson leads the way for USWNT
For the United States women’s national team, this summer’s World Cup will be here before you know it, and they seem to be rounding into form. On Sunday, once again led by Mallory Swanson, they beat solid opposition for the second straight match. Here’s Sandra Herrera on Swanson’s form:
Herrera: “The winger is now on a five-game scoring streak that dates back to November and leads the team with six goals scored over their four games this calendar year. Swanson’s ability to stretch back lines and be an option on and off the ball has made the teams’ top line difficult to defend. She’s been a long-time collaborative option for her teammates, at times opting for the extra outlet, instead of taking the shot. But as the World Cup gets closer, Swanson has tasked herself with finishing her chances when presented with them.”
For more on the match, check out Herrera’s complete break down here.
And now let’s get to some links:
🔗 Make sure to check out all of our Champions League picks as action resumes on Paramount+.
🔗 Arsenal climbed back into the Premier League driver’s seat over the weekend in dramatic fashion, writes James Benge.
🔗 Neymar was carted off the field in PSG’s wild win over Lille, putting his status for UCL in doubt.
🔗 Who’s in your Serie A All-Star starting five? Our Paramount+ studio crew weighs in.
🔗 House of Champions: It’s Monday, so the crew is here to look back at the weekend’s big action.
🔗 The bids are in to buy Manchester United, here’s Benge with everything you need to know.
🔗 Francesco Porzio weighs in on why Inter should’ve gone for Dybala instead of Lukaku last summer.
🔗 In sad news, Christian Atsu’s body was recovered from the rubble following the earthquake in Turkiye.
🔗 Everything you need to know about the Canada WNT’s fight for better pay and working conditions.
🔗 There’s so much recent history between Real Madrid and Liverpool in the Champions League. Get psyched for more!
🔗 And remember, all of your soccer needs — from Champions League to Serie A to NWSL and so much more — are available on Paramount+. You can try one month free by using the code: ADVANCE.
💵 Best bets
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times U.S./Eastern.