Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: Latest Form Guide, Live Stream and Prediction

In a steep mismatch of current form, high-fliers Real Madrid will travel to Liverpool on Wednesday for a fixture that many will have predicted will decide who tops Group B in this season's Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers' side have lacked inspiration of late, and despite ascending to fifth in the Premier League, they head into the midweek matchup as underdogs to top the reigning European champions.

Carlo Ancelotti's men are very much within touching distance of La Liga leaders Barcelona and also have an El Clasico derby to contemplate on October 25, but their primary concern lies with dismantling the Reds at Anfield. 

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 22

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (US)

Form Guide

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Liverpool took a 3-2 win away from Loftus Road this past Sunday but were by no means confident en route to victory, relying on two QPR own goals as they somehow managed to squeeze out of west London with three points.

That result sealed successive league wins for the Reds for the first time this season, and in his post-match comments, former Anfield hero Jamie Carragher was particularly critical of his old side's set-piece defending:

This doesn't bode well for Wednesday's test as Squawka shows Real are currently tied with Madrid rivals Atletico as Spain's most prolific team from set-piece scenarios, having scored nine already this season.

Los Merengues are enjoying a seven-match winning streak across all competitions and head Group A with a maximum haul of six points, albeit cutting it fine with a 2-1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad in their last European outing.

Scoring in away territory domestically has been no issue for Real of late, though, as the club's official Twitter account was swift to point out following Saturday's 5-0 demolition of Levante:

The last time these two sides faced off competitively came in the 2008-09 Champions League, Liverpool ousting the Spaniards in the round of 16 following a 5-0 trouncing across two legs and winning the home leg 4-0.

Needless to say both teams have transformed considerably since then, and Rodgers' side will need Mario Balotelli to find his scoring touch in the ongoing absence of Daniel Sturridge.

Prediction

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

As form would suggest, Real are understandable favourites to come away from Merseyside with another three points to their name, and if Aston Villa and Everton can hold the Reds at Anfield, so too can Los Blancos.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored another two over the weekend to take his league total this season to 15, which former England striker Gary Lineker aptly described considering it's still early in the campaign:

Liverpool became a much changed side over the summer but Real have remained largely the same, the likes of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez only improving their options further.

Ancelotti is no stranger to the intimidation factor of Anfield, and that managerial mastery combined with the professionals among his ranks makes for a pleasant trip for the travelling outfit.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-3 Real Madrid