Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

Red Star vs. Stuttgart (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Both sitting outside the Champions League playoff places, midway through the new league phase, Red Star Belgrade and Stuttgart will vie for victory at the Marakana on Wednesday.

While the hosts' quest for a first point continues, Stuttgart are aiming to get their campaign back on track following a home loss last time out.

We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Stuttgart

Neither side has scored many goals so far - averaging under one per game between them - so a tense, close-fought encounter could be on the cards.

Red Star have shown flashes of promise and should belatedly pick up their first point, but Stuttgart will surely breach their hosts' leaky back line at least once.

Sturm Graz vs. Girona (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Austrian champions Sturm Graz are set to welcome Spanish side Girona to Worthersee Stadion on Wednesday in their fifth Champions League fixture of the season.

The home team were beaten 1-0 by Borussia Dortmund on November 5 in their last European match and are fourth last in 33rd place with no points, while the visitors are 29th with three points and lost 4-0 against PSV Eindhoven in early November.

We say: Sturm Graz 1-2 Girona

Considering Sturm Graz will still be adjusting to life without Ilzer, it would not be surprising if they struggled on Wednesday without the guidance of a permanent manager.

Additionally, Girona are in good goalscoring form and they could create several opportunities in the final third.

Aston Villa vs. Juventus (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Champions League rookies Aston Villa will seek a home hat-trick on Wednesday evening, when they host Italian giants Juventus.

While Unai Emery's men have recently faltered, they previously posted two wins from two at Villa Park in Europe's top competition - although defeat would see Juve overtake them in the league table.

We say: Aston Villa 0-1 Juventus

Not only are Juventus generally tough to break down, but Aston Villa have also been short of their fluent best since the end of October.

In spite of all their absences, Juve have sufficient supplies of grit and nous to heap more misery onto their ailing hosts, whose growing wait for a win will go on.

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Bologna vs. Lille (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Seeking their first points since the opening matchday, Champions League rookies Bologna will welcome Lille to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Wednesday evening.

The Italian side are the only team still without a goal in this season's league phase, leaving them trailing behind their French counterparts, who are firmly on track for a playoff place.

We say: Bologna 1-2 Lille

Bologna have failed to make the most of their opportunities so far, and are yet to score from 48 attempts; meanwhile, Lille have posted some excellent results despite taking only half as many shots.

The difference is clearly in the final third, then, and the combined powers of David and Zhegrova will be too much for the home side to withstand.

Celtic vs. Brugge (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Celtic will host Club Brugge at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening in a pivotal UEFA Champions League clash, as the Scottish champions aim to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages against a Belgian side that have been riddled with inconsistency this term.

The hosts are currently 15th in the table with seven points from four games, while the visitors are placed in 22nd with six points from their opening four outings.

We say: Celtic 3-1 Club Brugge

Aside from their defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Celtic have been near flawless this season, and with the charged atmosphere at Celtic Park supporting them, they are likely to secure a win in this matchup.

Dinamo Zagreb vs. Dortmund (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

On matchday five of the Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb will welcome inconsistent Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund to Stadion Maksimir on Wednesday.

The Croatian champions are 16th in the Champions League table with seven points and triumphed 4-1 against Slovan Bratislava on November 5, whereas BVB are seventh with nine points and beat Sturm Graz 1-0 on November 5.

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund are in better form of late and will go into their clash confident after their 4-0 win last time out.

However, it is difficult to ignore the visitors' poor record on the road and it would be surprising if they managed to achieve victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

The latest chapter in the Liverpool-Real Madrid rivalry will be written on Wednesday evening, when the continental foes collide in Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster.

Arne Slot's side are only club in the competition with a perfect 12 points after four matchdays, leaving them 17 places better off than the indifferent holders in the 36-team standings.

We say: Liverpool 3-1 Real Madrid

All football aficionados know to never count Ancelotti's Real Madrid out in the Champions League, and Liverpool were far from their scintillating best against Southampton, but the magnitude of Wednesday's occasion should mean that there is no similar complacency from Slot's team.

Faced with an injury-hit Real Madrid side who are not brimming with continental confidence, we have total faith in the Reds to march to their first win over Los Blancos in 15 years and maintain their impeccable league phase record.

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Monaco vs. Benfica (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Strong starters Monaco welcome an in-form Benfica side to the Stade Louis II on matchday five of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Both recorded domestic victories at the weekend and look on course to reach the knockout rounds of this competition.

We say: Monaco 1-1 Benfica

Monaco are winless in their last three home games against Portuguese clubs, and even though their form at the Stade Louis II has been brilliant, and they sit third in the 36-team standings, it will be a difficult test.

That is because Benfica's recent performances have given plenty for them to be confident about, frustrating Bayern for large periods, thrashing Porto, and entering seventh heaven at the weekend, so they will feel they can take something here.

PSV vs. Shakhtar (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Philips Stadion on matchday five of the Champions League this wednesday.

Both clubs find themselves in and around the top 24, with the Ukrainian visitors looking to break into the qualifying positions following a first win last time out.

We say: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk

An impressive win over Girona last time out in this competition shows that PSV have the firepower in attack to progress to the knockouts, and they should fancy themselves to put on a similar show here.

Despite a win over Young Boys on matchday four, and some brilliant form domestically, Shakhtar do not travel well and have shown their deficiencies against stronger clubs in this competition already this season.