The standout tie from this week’s Champions League fixtures sees Liverpool lock horns with Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Arne Slot’s side head into matchday five surveying the standings from the summit of the new look league phase.
In fact, the Reds boast the one and only remaining 100% record at this stage of the competition after brilliantly dismantling Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on matchday four.
Liverpool are also flying high in the Premier League, with Sunday’s 3-2 win at Southampton sending them eight points clear at the top of the table.
As for Real Madrid, they have made a sloppy start to their Champions League title defence, losing two of their opening four games, the most recent of which saw them turned over 3-1 by AC Milan at home.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won four of their last five matches in La Liga, moving to within four points of fierce rivals Barcelona, having played a game less.
How the bookies view it: Reds the real deal
Liverpool are even-money (1/1) favourites on Betano to make it five wins from five in this season’s Champions League.
It’s not very often you see Real Madrid chalked up as 23/10 (Betano) outsiders, while an all square affair at Anfield can be backed at 11/4 (Betano).
Head to head: History against the hosts
Liverpool are winless in their last eight meetings with Real Madrid, losing each of their last seven encounters with the Spanish giants. The two teams last crossed paths at this venue in a Champions League last-16 first leg tie in 2023, with Real Madrid running out 5-2 winners.
Players to watch: Salah to put on another show?
I successfully backed Mohamed Salah to steer Liverpool to victory at Southampton on Sunday. The Liverpool talisman is 5/6 (PaddyPower) to either score or to provide an assist on Wednesday night and that looks worthy of support.
Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde has been chalked up at 8/11 on Bet 365 to commit a minimum of one foul during this heavyweight showdown and that price holds plenty of appeal.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major doubt for this blockbuster battle, while Alisson, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott are definitely out.
Real Madrid’s treatment room is pretty congested at the moment, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo all on the sidelines.
Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius
Anything else catch the eye?
While Andy Robertson is not renowned for being a regular on the referee's radar, he looks too big to ignore to commit a minimum of one foul at even-money (1/1) on Bet 365.
The Liverpool left-back gave away a free-kick during his one and only previous start in this season’s Champions League against Bologna.
He was also guilty of an offence against Southampton last time out, so there is plenty of scope for a repeat here when he goes up against star-studded Real Madrid.
This UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be played on Nov 27, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Real Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
