The Champions League drama continues on Wednesday evening as teams from across Europe look to jump up the table and secure a place in the knockout stages.

Teams across Europe’s elite club competition need to start racking up points as the crucial phase approaches with just over half of the league stage completed.

Wednesday offers some truly compelling fixtures, with the headliner being Liverpool’s clash with Real Madrid, which is expected to have a crackling Anfield atmosphere. That’s not all the evening has to offer, however, as Aston Villa also play at home against Serie A giants Juventus.

There are many more twists and turns to come, but who are the favorites to win Wednesday’s Matchday 5 round?

After Tuesday’s schedule began with Sparta Prague being beaten by Atlético Madrid and Slovan Bratislava suffering a less embarrassing fate against Milan, Wednesday begins with two equally gigantic games.

Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart hopes for a second win in the league phase in their guest appearance Red Star Belgradewho has conceded 16 goals in four games so far. Storm Grazmeets with Girona also starts at 17:45 GMT before some of the heavyweight bouts really get the evening going.

Aston Villa And Juventus are two proud and historic football clubs and could have a close but exciting competition in the West Midlands. Villa have struggled with their form of late, but their upcoming opponents are missing several stars and could be dull in attack.

Bologna remain one of the winless teams at halftime and it could be a familiar story if a Lille The team that achieved victories over both Madrid clubs travels to Emilia-Romagna.

Celtic are another British team in action and have looked quite comfortable so far this season – apart from a significant 7-1 defeat. Brendan Rodgers’ troops could further improve their current standing Club Brugge.

Monaco And PSV Eindhoven will hope for wins against Benfica And Shakhtar Donetsk or, but the game to watch on Wednesday is at Anfield when Liverpool entertain real Madrid. The Reds have won all four European games this season and have a great chance to dispel their recent hatred against Los Blancos, who are without superstar winger Vinicius Junior due to injury.

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