Champions League 2012: Complete Guide to Wednesday's Group-Stage Matches

The UEFA Champions League is back after a two-week break, with the race for European glory and prestige once again dominating the world football stage.

All 32 teams will play their third group-stage matches this week—half playing Tuesday and the other half playing Wednesday—as they look to either build on their strong tournament so far, or resurrect their dreams at qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.

After a complete preview and prediction for all the Champions League action to take place Wednesday? You've come to the right place.

Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Anderlecht

Wednesday, October 24, 12:00 p.m. ET at  Stadion Petrovski, St. Petersburg, Russia

Both sides enter this matchup without a win in the competition so far and need points to keep up with group leaders Malaga and AC Milan.

Zenit earned their first home win of the Russian domestic season last week and will be looking to carry that form across to this match here. They spent big money over the summer transfer window in getting Hulk and Axel Witsel, making the Champions League the perfect time for this team to step up.

And it seems like they will do so against the Belgian opponents here, who will all but surrender their qualification chances with a loss here, especially if Milan can take a point or three off Malaga.

Zenit have not clicked so far this year, but they are a good team with good players, and they are a team whose board is desperate for some European recognition. 

The Champions League is the perfect time to make a statement, and they should have the added advantage of fielding Anderlecht in the unusual Russian conditions—running out comfortable winners in the end.

Zenit St. Petersburg 3, Anderlecht 1

Malaga vs. AC Milan

Wednesday, October 24, 2:45 p.m. ET at La Rosaleda, Malaga, Spain

Malaga have been excellent in all competition thus far, and they receive a huge opportunity to consolidate their qualification aspirations with a win against AC Milan.

The Spanish side is yet to be beaten at home this year and would be able to pull five points clear of their Italian opponents in Group C should they continue their winning ways in this one.

Having said that, AC Milan is a quality football team that has excelled in the UCL despite their poor domestic form in Serie A. They have lost five of their eight matches domestically, which could lead to even greater inspiration and emphasis on the Champions League.

Malaga, however, haven't conceded yet in any of their four European encounters, and look too good to predict anything other than a win.

Milan haven't won in Spain since the 2009-10 group stage and have just four wins from their last 22 matches against Spanish teams. Look for that trend to continue as Malaga pull away in Group C with a strong and convincing victory.

Malaga 2, AC Milan 0

Ajax vs. Manchester City

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. at Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Ajax currently sit on the bottom of Group D without a single point next to their name and now must face the defending English Premier League champions for their third match of the competiion.

The Dutch champions were unlucky not to earn all three points in the Eredivisie on the weekend, but they did extent their streak of matches without a loss to 23 games, their last defeat coming all the way back in early February.

That could pose some problems for Manchester City, who do not travel well within the English competition, let alone all across Europe to places like Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Citizens will be without David Silva due to a hamstring injury, and must look to control the pace of the game throughout the wide defenders—something that they could thrive in if they adopt the 3-5-2 formation that Roberto Mancini has been leaning to this year.

Ajax are good at home and Manchester City are poor away, but it's hard not to take the Citizens in this one. They have simply have the knack for winning close games this year, and they know they must win here to keep pace with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Ajax 2, Manchester City 3

Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. ET at BVB Stadion Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany

The other feature match of the round sees the two teams on top of Group D go head to head for the No. 1 spot in this star-studded Group of Death.

Borussia Dortmund were stellar on the road two weeks ago against Manchester City, and if they can continue that performance, they could well give the defending Spanish champions a run for the money. They have a good side and are playing good football, so there's no reason why the home side could not come out on top here.

However, this is Real Madrid we're talking about, one of the world's elite, and they simply do not possess many weaknesses to exploit. They are starting to hit their straps in La Liga again after their slow start to the year, but face a completely different away test to the counterattacking strength and talent of Dortmund.

Injuries will play no small part here for Madrid. Marcelo is out, as is Fábio Coentrão, Álvaro Arbeloa and Sami Khedira. Madrid have able replacements, but their squad is significantly weakened by the loss of those players—in particular, the loss of Marcelo.

And I think that might be enough for the home side. Dortmund have a brilliant attacking lineup with the likes of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski, and they have the strike power to prevent Real Madrid from simply dominating the match.

I'd expect goals, but I'm also going out on a limb here and saying that we'll be seeing Borussia Dortmund on top of Group D after this one.

Borussia Dortmund 3, Real Madrid 1

Porto vs. Dynamo Kyiv

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. ET at Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal

Porto have definitely been flying under the radar this tournament, but will likely announce themselves as a side to watch out for should they make it three wins in as many matches.

The Portuguese side haven't been beaten at home in the Champions League in over two years and simply look too strong for their Ukrainian opponents in this matchup.

With PSG facing a difficult road trip with Dinamo Zagreb, Dynamo Kyiv know that they could grab a position in the top two and put themselves in strong contention for qualification with a win. However, it simply won't be happening.

James Rodriguez will lead Porto to their third consecutive victory and right into the hottest-teams discussions.

Porto 2, Dynamo Kyiv 0

Dinamo Zagreb vs. Paris St. Germain

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. ET at Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia

On paper, it is one of the most obvious matches to predict this week, with French powerhouse Paris St. Germain taking on lowly Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.

Zagreb have lost their last eight Champions League matches, and whilst they have won three consecutive First League matches, the European tournament is an entire different story.

With Porto playing at home to Dynamo Kyiv, PSG will know that their chances of advancing will most likely come down to whether or not they finish above Kyiv in the Group A standings. Kyiv are unlikely to beat Porto, meaning that the French club could go three points clear with a win, which they will do, but not before some early Croatian resistance.

Ante Cacic spoke earlier this week, stating (via UEFA.com): "We are not blind; we are aware that we are playing against a top-team with world-class players and a world-class coach. But why can' we get something out of this match? Football is a game where the favorites don't always win."

So expect the home team to come out firing and looking for the upset of the round. But don't expect it to last—back PSG to get the job done away form home.

Dinamo Zagreb 0, Paris St. Germain 1

Arsenal vs. Schalke

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. ET at Emirates Stadium, London, England

After an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Norwich City over the weekend in domestic action, don't expect Arsenal to take this Champions League fixture lightly at all.

The Gunners have won both of their opening European matches this year and would pull five points clear with a victory over Schalke at the Emriates—a task that seems much easier said than done.

The German side completed a 2-1 upset over Borussia Dortmund at home in the Bundesliga on the weekend, and on the road once more, could well pull out an upset against the North London club. Lewis Holtby and Klass Jun Huntelaar are coming in hot, and both will play a significant role should Schalke pull off the upset.

Arsenal are missing some key components—the most notable being Arsene Wenger, who completes a three-match touchline ban with this tilt. The Gunners are also without several star players, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Abou Diaby and Wojciech Szczesny.

They might be eager to make amends from the weekend's calamities, but even with Santi Cazorla on board, Arsenal's injury-plagued defense might not be able to contain the German side from finding the back of the net.

Arsenal hang on for a point in my mind.

Arsenal 1, Schalke 1

Montpellier vs. Olympiacos

Wednesday, October 23, 2:45 p.m. ET at La Mosson, Montpellier, France

And the final match sees the two bottom sides of Group B go head to head, with Montpellier and Olympiacos both looking for their first win of the tournament.

Montpellier are facing massive troubles domestically in the French competition—suffering their fifth loss in nine matches on the weekend—and in desperate need of a confidence-boosting performance, giving their manager some job security in the process.

Olympiacos' record in France over the years hasn't been too bad, and with a strong win over the weekend, will likely be buoyed into a strong performance here. Rafik Djebbour is playing some outstanding football—one of the hottest goal scorers in world football at the moment—and will cause havoc for the Montpellier defense all night long.

The reigning French champions looked to have played their best football of the season when they took on Arsenal in the opening week of the Champions League—perhaps even a little unlucky to lose the match 2-1 in the end.

Yet without a home win since July—and an injury-time winner at that—it's hard to see Montpellier putting that same type of fight in this one. The away side is in good attacking form, and should do enough to get the points over a poor Montpellier side.

Montpellier 1, Olympiacos 3

Any predictions you agree or disagree with?

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