THE league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League hits its halfway mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Matchday 4 arrives with drama scripted across Europe.
Eighteen games, countless storylines, and a stage where heroes, heartbreak, and history are never far apart.
From Anfield to Paris, Turin to Prague, the world’s greatest club competition enters its next act.
These preview details were obtained from the UCL website on Monday.
1. Liverpool vs Real Madrid
A rivalry defined by glory and grief from Kyiv to Paris to Anfield’s famous nights.
Last season, the Reds finally broke their curse, a 2-0 victory ending an eight-game winless run against Los Blancos. Now, Arne Slot’s men return to Anfield, chasing a 16th straight European home win — an Anfield fortress roaring under the lights.
Mohamed Salah stands on the brink of greatness: two goals from becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the Champions League. Across the pitch, a familiar face wears white now, Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser turned Galáctico, facing the Kop for the first time.
Madrid’s own prodigy, Jude Bellingham, could rewrite history too. At 22 years and 128 days, he’s set to become the youngest ever player to make 50 Champions League appearances — eclipsing Iker Casillas, the symbol of Madrid’s golden past.
It’s not just a match. It’s memory, emotion, and destiny colliding.
2. PSG vs Bayern Munich
Paris have lost just two of their last 41 home Champions League group stage games, and the Parc des Princes is again a fortress. But Bayern are serial conquerors, with 13 wins in their last 15 meetings against French opposition.
All eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, who’s lived every twist of this rivalry — scorer, provider, even villain. He faces his old Bundesliga tormentors with something to prove. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández meets his former teammates after switching red for blue.
At the other end, Harry Kane continues his European rampage — 11 goals in his last ten UCL appearances — while Joshua Kimmich eyes his 100th Champions League match for Bayern, joining legends Müller, Neuer, Lahm, and Kahn in elite company.
It’s a battle of old foes and new ambitions with the scent of late drama thick in the Paris air.
3. Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
In Prague, memories of 2021 linger when Arsenal crushed Slavia’s quarter-final dreams with a 4-0 rout.
Four years later, the Czech champions seek payback on home soil.
Slavia have found their scoring rhythm goals in 26 of their last 27 European home games but face an Arsenal side in imperious form. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten against Czech clubs, with seven straight UCL league-phase wins.
Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s group games and the Brazilian’s fearless energy has made him Mikel Arteta’s symbol of this new Arsenal: vibrant, ruthless, relentless.
History favors the Gunners but Slavia’s home spirit, under the lights of Eden Arena, makes this more than a formality. It’s redemption, reimagined.
4. Juventus vs Sporting CP
In Turin, it’s about legacy.
Juventus, chasing their 500th European Cup goal — the first Italian team to do so — meet Sporting CP, winless against Italian opposition since 2011.
The Bianconeri have stumbled on the continental stage lately — only two wins in their last 11 European games — and must rediscover their old ruthlessness. Sporting, ever daring, have scored in 19 straight group-stage matches, and will not come quietly.
For both sides, this isn’t just a fixture. It’s a test of belief.
Elsewhere Across Europe on Tuesday:
Tottenham vs Copenhagen
Napoli vs Frankfurt
Atlético Madrid vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Bodø/Glimt vs Monaco
Olympiacos vs PSV Eindhoven
This newspaper reports that the remaining games will take place on Wednesday:
Pafos vs Villarreal and Qarabağ vs Chelsea kick off early.
Ajax vs Galatasaray
Club Brugge vs Barcelona
Inter vs Kairat
Man City vs Dortmund
Newcastle vs Athletic Club
Marseille vs Atalanta
Benfica vs Leverkusen
This newspaper also reports that only five teams have maintained a perfect start winning all three games from the previous match days.