Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Milan face Liverpool; Real Madrid look for hot start

Expert Champions League picks for Tuesday's games

Liverpool at AC Milan

* 2023 UEFA Champions League * Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2023 * 3:00 p.m. ET * San Siro, Milan, Italy * TV: CBS, Paramount+ * Money line: Liverpool -110, AC Milan +320, Draw +250 Liverpool and AC Milan are two of the most storied clubs in Champions League history, but they find themselves in very different positions as they prepare to meet in their Group B opener on Tuesday. Liverpool are the reigning Premier League champions and one of the favorites to win this season's Champions League, while AC Milan finished second in Serie A last season but missed out on the Champions League knockout rounds. Liverpool will be without a number of key players for Tuesday's match, including Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Curtis Jones. However, they still have plenty of talent available, and they should be considered the favorites to win. AC Milan will need to play their best game of the season if they want to pull off an upset.

Expert pick: Liverpool to win

Real Madrid vs. Celtic

* 2023 UEFA Champions League * Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2023 * 3:00 p.m. ET * Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland * TV: CBS, Paramount+ * Money line: Real Madrid -275, Celtic +650, Draw +380 Real Madrid are the defending Champions League champions, and they will be looking to get their title defense off to a good start when they travel to face Celtic on Tuesday. Celtic are the champions of Scotland, but they have never won a Champions League match against a Spanish opponent. Real Madrid will be without Karim Benzema for Tuesday's match, but they still have plenty of firepower in their attack. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are both capable of scoring goals, and they will be looking to make a statement against Celtic. Celtic will need to defend well if they want to have a chance of pulling off an upset.

Expert pick: Real Madrid to win

Tottenham vs. Marseille

* 2023 UEFA Champions League * Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2023 * 3:00 p.m. ET * Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England * TV: CBS, Paramount+ * Money line: Tottenham -220, Marseille +550, Draw +330 Tottenham and Marseille are two of the most evenly matched teams in Group D, and their match on Tuesday is likely to be a close one. Tottenham are the slight favorites, but Marseille have a good chance of pulling off an upset. Tottenham will be without Son Heung-min for Tuesday's match, but they still have plenty of attacking talent. Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski are both dangerous scorers, and they will be looking to lead Tottenham to a victory. Marseille will need to defend well if they want to have a chance of pulling off an upset.

Expert pick: Tottenham to win