Having said how confidence should be up in the Real Madrid camp, this is perhaps worth a little look as well, especially if you're a Shakhtar fan.

Real have lost three of their last eight home games in the group stage of the Champions League (Won three, drawn two).

The 13-time European champions had previously gone unbeaten in 27 consecutive home games in the group stage of the competition between November 2009 and October 2018 (Won 24, drawn three).

The previous five games between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk have seen a total of 23 goals scored.

So for those that like high-scoring encounters, that's basically five a game.

Real have scored at least four goals in all three of their victories against Shakhtar in the competition (4-0 4-3 and 5-0).

Image source, .

While Liverpool are looking for a result to ensure early progress, for AC Milan tonight is all about just managing to stay in the game.

Should the Italians lose then their first Champions League campaign since 2013-14 will be over. Even a draw might not be enough if Atletico win at Anfield later.

Image source, .

It has been a good few weeks for Real Madrid. After thrashing Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 the Spanish giants then beat Barcelona in El Clasico and are now unbeaten in their last four.

It will mean confidence is high as they look to beat a Shakhtar side yet to score in the Champions League this season and potentially move above surprise Group D leaders Sheriff.

Olivier Giroud leads the attack for Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimović on the bench. Brahim Díaz also starts.

AC Milan XI: Tatarusanu, Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Tonali, Bennacer, Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao, Giroud.

Subs: Ibrahimovic, Kalulu Kyatengwa, Kjaer, Maldini, Krunic, Bakayoko, Gabbia, Kessie, Mirante, Jungdal.

Mateus Uribe has recovered from a muscle injury to take his place in the Porto midfield.

FC Porto: Diogo Costa, Joao Mario, Kleper Pepe, Mbemba, Sanusi, Otavio, Uribe, Sergio Oliveira, Diaz, Taremi, Evanilson.

Subs: Marchesin, Fabio Cardoso, Francisco Conceicao, Eduardo Pepe, Grujic, Corona, Manafa, Vitinha, Bruno Costa, Martinez, Nanu, Vieira.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti springs a little bit of a surprise in his starting XI with Lucas Vazquez playing up front with Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema.

There had been plenty of pre-game chat about Eden Hazard starting but the Belgian is on the bench.

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Eder Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Lucas, Benzema, Vinicius Junior.

Subs: Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Marcelo, Lunin, Jovic, Isco, Camavinga, Blanco, Gutierrez, Fuidias.

Shakhtar boss Roberto De Zerbi hands Mykhaylo Mudryk his first Champions League start. The 20-year-old is preferred to Israel international Manor Solomon in midfield.

What a place to make your bow.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Trubin, Dodo, Marlon, Matviyenko, Ismaily, Tete, Maycon, Stepanenko, Alan Patrick, Mudryk, Fernando.

Subs: Sudakov, Konoplya, Korniyenko, Sikan, Pyatov, Vitao, Kryvtsov, Marcos Antonio, Dentinho, Marlos, Bondarenko, Solomon.

Image source, @FCShakhtar

Here's the full list of tonight's games:

Group A: Man City vs Club Bruges, Leipzig vs Paris

Group B: AC Milan vs Porto (17:45 GMT), Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid

Group C: Sporting CP vs Beşiktaş, Dortmund vs Ajax

Group D: Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk (17:45 GMT), Sheriff vs Inter

Image source, Getty Images

Two teams have already booked their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League with Bayern Munich and Juventus assuring progress yesterday and today Liverpool can join them.

Jurgen Klopp's side host Atletico Madrid at Anfield later when a win will send through.

Manchester City, hosting Club Bruges at the same time, have a little longer to wait but will fancy their chances of taking a big step with a win against a side they thumped 5-1 in Belgium a couple of weeks ago.

But before all that there's a couple of early kick offs to put our focus on as Real Madrid entertain Shakhtar Donetsk and Milan are at home to Porto.