Another exciting week of UEFA Champions League action is upon us, as the round of 16 concludes and eight teams will secure their places in the quarterfinals.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich are among the European powerhouses holding significant first-leg advantages and are likely to advance. However, the situation remains uncertain for several teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool, each entering this week with only a one-goal lead.

Ahead of a week promising entertainment and potential drama, here are expert picks and predictions from the CBS Sports team.

Tuesday’s Champions League Matches

Here are our expert picks for Tuesday’s matches:

Barcelona vs. Benfica

Player to watch: Pedri – Pedri was outstanding in the first leg and has consistently performed at a high level since October. With Benfica needing to attack and close the gap, opportunities for through passes should arise, and few players are better equipped to exploit these situations. — James Benge

Man of the match: Lamine Yamal – Following a narrow 1-0 away victory in the first leg, Lamine Yamal has the potential to be the decisive player at Barcelona’s home ground. Yamal, who has contributed two goals and two assists in the tournament’s opening matches, is set for a significant performance on Tuesday. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Barcelona 2, Benfica 1 – Clean sheets are not a common occurrence for Barcelona recently. With Pau Cubarsi suspended and Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis in impressive form, this trend might continue. However, Barcelona’s midfield and attack possess enough quality to overcome these defensive concerns and secure a spot in the quarterfinals. — Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Raphinha to have two shots on target (+110) – Raphinha is currently in excellent shooting form and scored the only goal in the first leg. Even if he doesn’t score in this match, he is likely to get several shots on goal. Benfica’s need to chase a victory will create more space for Barcelona’s attack to exploit. – Chuck Booth

Liverpool vs. PSG

Player to watch: Kostas Tsimikas or Andy Robertson – Neither Liverpool left-back has been particularly impressive this season, and whoever starts will need to perform exceptionally. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele caused significant problems down PSG’s right side in the first leg, and it’s difficult to see how Liverpool will easily contain them in the second leg. — James Benge

Man of the match: Mohamed Salah – Despite PSG’s strong performance and Liverpool’s underwhelming display in the first leg before their winning goal, Mohamed Salah is expected to deliver a statement performance on Tuesday. The Egyptian striker has an impressive record of 27 goals in 29 Premier League games but needs to replicate his best form in this European competition. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Liverpool 1, PSG 2 – This is arguably the most anticipated game of the week, especially after PSG showed in the first leg that they can challenge Liverpool. Liverpool narrowly won in Paris and will aim to avoid a repeat at home. However, the effects of a long season are becoming evident, and PSG’s talented young team has the energy and quality to push this tie to penalties, where anything can happen, potentially leading to an upset. — Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Mohamed Salah to score (+150) – Salah had a quiet game in Paris, but he is a different player at home. Although Liverpool doesn’t necessarily need to score to advance, an early goal could effectively end the tie. In the midst of an outstanding season, Salah is the most likely Liverpool player to find the net under pressure. – Chuck Booth

Wednesday’s Champions League Matches

Here are our expert picks for Wednesday’s matches:

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid

Player to watch: Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid’s dependence on their young Argentine player, Julian Alvarez, was highlighted by their recent defeat to Getafe. Alvarez struggled, and so did the team. He is capable of individual brilliance, scoring goals, and creating opportunities for teammates. — James Benge

Man of the match: Kylian Mbappe – After the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid will need to defend effectively against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Counter-attacks could be crucial in this tie, and Mbappe is a player who can excel in such situations. — Francesco Porzio

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 1 – While momentum might have shifted towards Real Madrid last week, these two teams have been closely matched throughout the season. Expect another tight game ending in a draw, with Atletico’s strong attack just falling short of leveling the tie and reaching the quarterfinals. — Pardeep Cattry

Best bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (-118) – There is little to separate these teams, and both prefer to play attacking football, which could lead to a high-scoring game. The match outcome is unpredictable, but the attacking talent on both sides suggests there will be goals, especially considering the quality of finishing in the first leg. If Atletico scores first at home, the game could become even more open. — Chuck Booth