Champions League picks, predictions: PSG vs. AC Milan divides experts while Barcelona, Man City to win easy

Wednesday in the The UEFA Champions League this week continues the Matchday 3 action. After Manchester United escaped with a last minute penalty save to secure all three points, Manchester City look to make easier work of Young Boys. Elsewhere, in the day’s marquee matchup, PSG host AC Milan, as the two sides battle it out with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund in this season’s group of death. As always, you can catch all the action across Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network. 

Who will come away victorious across Wednesday’s eight matches? Find out below with UCL picks from both our staff, and the hosts of Golazo Network’s Morning Footy:

Matchday 3 TV schedule

All times Eastern

CBSSports.com writers Matchday 3 — Wednesday’s picks

PSG vs. Milan

by Jonathan Johnson

One matchup to watch: Achraf Hakimi vs. Rafael Leao — One of Milan’s main threats will come from the left where Rafael Leao is up against the attack-minded Achraf Hakimi. How responsible Luis Enrique can get the Moroccan to be at the back could play a big part in shaping how much joy the Italians get going forward. Although the key positional battles will arguably come in midfield, this individual duel impacts both ends of the field given how productive Hakimi has been so far this season.

Most likely to score a goal: Kylian Mbappe — Back in the goals after a recent drought with PSG, the French superstar warmed up for this one with a goal and assist against Strasbourg at the weekend. Mbappe was muted against Newcastle last time out and the French champions know that they must win against the Rossoneri to keep Group F’s top spot in their sights. Expect the Parisien talisman to come up big with the game deciding moment.

Man of the Match pick: Mike Maignan — An emotional homecoming for France’s new No. 1 and a potential audition for a future return to Paris. Mike Maignan could be the difference between the sticks for Milan and will be key to Stefano Pioli’s hopes of coming away from Parc des Princes with at least a point. Gianluigi Donnarumma was Milan’s past and is PSG’s present, but will the French shot stopper be the Ligue 1 giants’ future?

Match prediction: PSG 1-0 Milan — A tight one given Milan’s defensive solidity, but expect the hosts to do just enough to edge the contest and take the points. This is a must-win for PSG while the Rossoneri must not lose it and a point would be acceptable for the Italians in Paris. Big moments decide big games and this one appears set to be decided by the narrowest of margins on Wednesday.

Morning Footy: Matchday 3 — Wednesday’s picks

Young Boys vs. Manchester City 

by Chuck Booth

One matchup to watch: Rico Lewis vs. the Young Boys midfield – In a match that City are expected to win there’s time for some rotation. When John Stones was injured, Rico Lewis stepped into Pep Guardiola’s inverted fullback role and it’s something that he could do again in this match. Guardiola has already praised the 18-year-old for how quickly he has picked up on things and a match against the Swiss side will provide more valuable experience for Lewis who could follow the Phil Foden route to rise from being an academy kid at City to in the first XI eventually.

Most likely to score a goal: Jeremy Doku – Hitting the ground running for City, if Doku starts the match his pace will crate nightmares for Young Boys. While Erdling Haaland is the standard pick here, the attention that he draws from defenses does make it easier for other members of City’s squad to hurt you and that’s where Doku comes into play. Already with two goals and two assists in only nine appearances for the club, he’ll add to that.

Man of the Match pick: Rodri – Seeing what Manchester City did, or more importantly didn’t do, without Rodri while he served a three-game suspension, he’s going to likely be my man of the match pick until further notice. The stability that he brings in midfield and improvement to the defense goes a long way to make sure that City win the game that they should win while also popping up with goals of his own at times.

Match prediction: Manchester City 3 – Young Boys 0 – City are a team that can run up the score when they want but usually do just enough to get by in matches like this. While they’ll have plenty of chances to continue scoring,t once Doku and Haaland find the back of the net, there won’t be much of a reason to push for more goals. They’ll grab a third with Young Boys trying to score a goal in a game where even a 3-0 score will make it seem like it was closer than it actually was.