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European Highlights: Liverpool hosting Real Madrid, PSG looking to end Bayern's perfect start

Xabi Alonso is returning to Anfield
Xabi Alonso is returning to AnfieldPeter Byrne / PA Images / Profimedia / Flashscore

This week's European action is starting in style, with two of the biggest League Phase matches of this year's Champions League kicking things off, and there'll be plenty of entertainment after that too.

Here are the midweek matches that you won't want to miss:

Tuesday, November 4th

Liverpool vs Real Madrid - 21:00 CET

Tuesday night is treating us to the latest edition of what has become a Champions League classic, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso returning to their former club as Liverpool and Real Madrid facing off for the fifth calendar year in a row.

The match represents a huge opportunity for Arne Slot and Liverpool. They can well and truly put an end to all talk of a crisis if they follow up their weekend win over Aston Villa with another against Los Blancos; after all, there's little doubt that you have to be a good side to beat Alonso's right now.

Atletico Madrid are the only team that have been able to do so this season, with the Spaniard boasting a record of 13 wins from 14 matches since the start of the campaign.

That form makes Real Madrid favourites for the clash at Anfield, but Slot's Liverpool did beat the Spanish giants 2-0 and Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 last season.

If the Dutchman can lead his side to three points again, the pressure that recent struggles have put him under will be a thing of the past, but if he loses, he'll know that a defeat to Manchester City at the weekend would bring it right back.

PSG vs Bayern Munich - 21:00 CET

Also on Tuesday night, the best team in the world from last season will face the best team in the world thus far this season in a blockbuster clash in the French capital.

Bayern Munich lost to PSG in the Club World Cup in July, but have won all 15 of their competitive matches since then, officially making the best start to a season in the history of European football as a result.

PSG, on the other hand, have won just five of their last nine matches, with the Champions League holders failing to beat sides they would have brushed aside last season.

However, that's largely because Luis Enrique's side have been hit by an injury crisis, and with Desire Doue now the only major star they're without, they should be in good enough shape to give Bayern a serious test.

Are the German champions simply much better than everyone else in their nation, or are they good enough to conquer the continent? This match will give us our best indication yet.

Wednesday, November 5th

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund - 21:00 CET

The standout clash on Wednesday night sees the Premier League's second-placed team go up against the Bundesliga's third-placed team in the north of England.

Manchester City haven't made the perfect start to the season, but looked close to their best in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, in which Erling Haaland bagged a brace to take his 25/26 club tally to a remarkable 17 goals in 14 matches.

Haaland has four goals in three Champions League games this season
Haaland has four goals in three Champions League games this seasonOpta by StatsPerform

He'll be looking to add to that tally against his former club, who have lost just one match so far this season - against Bayern - and trail only PSG when it comes to goals scored in the Champions League, having put four past Juventus, Athletic Club and Copenhagen.

There was little to choose between the two sides when they last met, with them drawing 0-0, but whether this turns out to be a similarly tight affair hinges on whether Dortmund can contain arguably the most lethal man in football right now.

Thursday, November 6th

Rangers vs Roma - 21:00 CET

Scottish and Italian giants will do battle in the Europa League on Thursday when Rangers and Roma face one another for the first time ever.

Rangers' season is in desperate need of a spark, with the Scottish side fourth in the league and rock-bottom of the Champions League with no points to their name. New boss Danny Rohl has yet to fully win the fans over after leading the club to defeat in the Old Firm at the weekend, but a win against Roma would go a long way to doing that.

Rangers and Roma are both struggling in Europe
Rangers and Roma are both struggling in EuropeFlashscore

The Italian side, meanwhile, are enjoying a much more successful league campaign, sitting just a point off top, but are also struggling in Europe having lost two of their opening three matches.

Both sides will be going for the win at the Ibrox, which will no doubt give us one of the best atmospheres of the season so far.

Real Betis vs Lyon - 21:00 CET

Another heavyweight Europa League clash will be taking place in Seville, where Real Betis will be playing host to Lyon.

Lyon are enjoying an excellent Europa League campaign, with the French side joint-top with three wins from three. However, after a strong start domestically, two consecutive draws have seen them lose ground in a tight Ligue 1 title fight.

Things have been the other way around for Betis, who made a stuttering start to their season but have since lost just one of their last 10, spearheaded by some fine performances from Antony.

Being two of eight unbeaten sides so far, both are looking like potential Europa League winners, and should produce a top-quality clash.

Chances are you’re about to lose.

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