Liverpool vs Real Madrid prediction and odds ahead of exciting Champions League clash

This week's Champions League action includes an exciting encounter as Liverpool host Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday evening. Arne Slot's Liverpool currently lead the new-look league stage and proudly hold the only perfect record in the competition after a stunning 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on matchday four.

The hosts are the pre-match favorites at 17/20 with CopyBet, while the reigning European champions are 14/5 to win at Anfield and a draw 13/5. As well as excelling in Europe, the Reds are dominating domestically, with a recent 3-2 win over Southampton extending their lead at the top of the Premier League by eight points.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have had a shaky start in their Champions League defense, with two defeats in their opening four games, including a recent 3-1 defeat to AC Milan on home soil. Nevertheless, Carlo Ancelotti's side have found form in La Liga, winning four of their last five games and closing the gap on Barcelona to just four points with a game in hand.

Harvey Elliott returns to the matchday squad after recovering from a broken foot in what will be his first appearance in more than two months. However, key players Alisson Becker (hamstring), Diogo Jota (abs), Federico Chiesa (fitness) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) were absent from the line-up. Manager Arne Slot has hinted that Alexander-Arnold could be the only one from this group who could make a comeback for Wednesday's match against Real Madrid after a somewhat worrying display at St Mary's.

In preparation for the midweek match, Liverpool are likely to see Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz regain their starting places, replacing Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo, as they did in Sunday's match.

Real Madrid are dealing with their own injury problems, mainly due to the absence of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian winger suffered a hamstring injury during the win over Leganes, with no specified recovery timetable. According to reports, he will be out for several weeks. He joins a long list of injuries including David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao (all knee injuries), Rodrygo (muscle problem), Aurelien Tchouameni (ankle) and Lucas Vazquez (muscle).

Although Ancelotti has not ruled out Tchouameni or Vazquez for the trip to Anfield, it is likely that Real will field a similar squad to the one that defeated Leganes. If Vinicius is unavailable, Brahim Diaz is expected to step up the attack, while defensive deficits could see Castilla graduate Raul Asencio make his Champions League debut.

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