The UEFA Champions League returns from its winter break this week, earlier than usual ahead of a consequential round of fixtures to close out the competition's first edition of the league phase. Several continental heavyweights will take part in must-win games on Matchday 7 after struggling over the course of the season,

The UEFA Champions League returns for the first time in the new year on Tuesday, when the focus will be on the race for the top eight berths as the first edition of the league phase nears its conclusion.

Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis has scored the third-fastest hat trick at the start of a Champions League game on Tuesday, against Barcelona. The Greece international scored two minutes into the match and then in the 22nd and 30th minutes as Benfica led Barcelona 3-1 at halftime.

Liverpool became the first team to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the new Champions League format by beating Lille 2-1 on Tuesday, while Barcelona fought back from two goals down to stun Benfica

Martin Green has locked in his best bets for Tuesday's Atletico Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen UEFA Champions League match on Paramount+

Atlético Madrid are set to host German champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Estadio Metropolitano this evening as Diego Simeone’s men chase a top-8 spot in the league phase of the Champions