Champions League expert picks, predictions: Barcelona and PSG heavy favorites to cruise towards semifinals

UEFA Champions League has returned this week And the quarterfinals started a bang, when a few European top clubs started making their business as a competition to win the top club prize of the continent.

Arsenal, who for the first time in 19 years in 19 years a journey to the semi -final of the competition Two massive goals from Declan Rice. Inter continued their hunt for a treble on a trip to Bayern Munich in one Rematch of the 2010 final that won the Italian side. They walked away 2-1 winners and placed themselves firmly in the season head of the return bone at the San Siro.

Coming things on Wednesday are Paris Saint-Germain, who positioned himself as the most exciting team that left after the young side of Luis Enrique Liverpool had eliminated, and Aston Villa, who enjoy a deep run during their first Champions League season in four decades in four decades in four decades in four decadnia.

Don’t miss any of the Champions League. As always you can catch all our coverage Paramount+” CBS Sports Network And CBS Sports Golazo Network all season.

Here are our expert choices for this matchday:

Champions League Quarterfinals

PSG vs. Aston Villa

Player to view: Khvicha kvaratskhelia – The January acquisition of the Georgian seems to have dramatically raised the ceiling of PSG’s Champions League, one side that might have gone to Dark Horses with a compelling case to achieve the two or three favorites to win straight. The willingness of Kvaratskhelia to drive over the front line has added unpredictability to the PSG attack, when he is in his best left -wing position, he can be a real test for Matty Cash. – James Benge

Man of the match: vitinha – The Portuguese midfielder is probably one of the most underrated players in the French team who has just received the Ligue 1 title at the weekend. When Vitinha plays well, PSG usually win games and shows their best potential. – Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 2, Aston Villa 1 – With the Ligue 1 title officially in the bag, PSG can now concentrate almost exclusively on their exciting Champions League form. The side of Luis Enrique proved that they can compete with the European elites after playing and eliminating Liverpool in the last 16. Expect the hype against Villa, who have enough firepower to keep things in the neighborhood. – PARDEEP CATRY

Best bet: Best bet: Ousmane Dembele to score (+125) – PSG kicks at home and wants to start quickly and there is no better way to do that than because of the hot form of Dembele. Someone who was one of the most popular scoring football players in the world in 2025 will be viewed early and often to make things happen during the game. With so many attackers who can hurt them, Aston Villa will eventually be caves, so Dembele can score. – Chuck Booth

Barcelona vs. Dortmund

Player to view: Maximilian Bavar – One of the form Vooruit in the Bundesliga with two goals and two assists in his last two games, Beerier was also the one who broke Lille Hearts at death in the round of 16. In what promises to be a transition -heavy match, he could be a serious threat to Barcelona’s backline. – James Benge

Man of the match: Raphinha – The Brazilian winger is one of the best players in Europe this season, but he recently struggled because he did not score in the last La Liga match against Real Betis on Saturday. The former Leeds United player is called to respond and there is no better chance to do than on Wednesday against the German team. – Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1 – This feels like the biggest mismatch in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, given the contrasting form of the teams. Barcelona has more than enough in terms of attacking output thanks to the in-shape Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, but clean sheets are not exactly a power of them so Dortmund does not come out empty-handed. – PARDEEP CATRY

Best bet: Raphinha to have 2+ shots on goal (-105) – Champions League is when the best of the best step to make things happen and that is exactly what will happen for Barcelona. Dortmund has been impressive in hanging around in Champions League game, but Raphinha will be a decent test for their defense that can get shots anywhere on the field. – Chuck Booth

Tour of 16 TV schedule

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