Champions League fixtures today - your guide to Wednesday's games

Matchday 4 represents the start of the second half of the 2023/24 Champions League group stage fixtures.

After a relatively subdued campaign so far, the melodrama should begin to crank up as the eight groups begin to take shape.

On Wednesday, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among the clubs able to book their places in the round of 16, while Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United each have critical fixtures.

Here's everything you need to know about today's Champions League action.

Napoli vs Union Berlin - Group C

• Location: Naples, Italy
• Stadium: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
• Date: Wednesday 8 October
• Kick-off Time: 17:45 GMT / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT
• Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED) 
• VAR: Clay Ruperti (NED)

It's been quite the comedown for Union Berlin at the start of 2023/24. Following another domestic defeat at the weekend, Urs Fischer has now overseen 12 straight losses in all competitions.

It doesn't get any easier for the Bundesliga side on Wednesday as they visit Naples on Matchday 4. Union are yet to pick up a point in their debut Champions League campaign, while Napoli looked primed to join Real Madrid in the knockout phase from Group C.

Rudi Garcia's side edged the reverse fixture in the German capital, but they have been beaten on home soil a couple of times already this season.

Real Sociedad vs Benfica - Group D

• Location: San Sebastian, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio Municipal de Anoeta
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 17:45 GMT / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT
• Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG) 
• VAR: TBC

Real Sociedad were mightily unfortunate to lose at home to Barcelona at the weekend, with Imanol Alguacil's side once again displaying their dynamic brilliance. The La Liga team have been a treat to watch in Europe this season and currently sit atop Group D having won their last two.

Victory over Benfica in San Sebastian on Monday night will see them take a giant leap towards qualification.

Last season's quarter-finalists have struggled so far this campaign, and they're fighting an uphill battle during the second half of the group stage. Benfica's chances of progressing into the last 16 will end if they don't win in Spain.

Bayern Munich vs Galatasaray - Group A

• Location: Munich, Germany
• Stadium: Allianz Arena
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Antonio Emanuel Carvalho Nobre (POR)
• VAR: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (POR) 

Bayern Munich haven't always been convincing at the start of their Champions League campaign, but they've nonetheless extended their unbeaten run in group games to 37.

Thomas Tuchel's side have been forced to grind out ugly victories against FC Kobenhavn and Galatasaray, but their perfect record so far means that they're on the brink of advancing into the round of 16.

The Turkish giants impressed in the reverse fixture but ran out of steam towards the end of the contest. They enjoyed plenty of the ball two weeks ago, but the dynamic will likely be different on Wednesday. Points would be invaluable for Galatasaray in Munich.

FC København vs Manchester United - Group A

• Location: Kobenhavn, Denmark
• Stadium: Parken Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Donatas Rumsas (LTU)
• VAR: TBC

Harry Maguire and Andre Onana were the unlikely heroes in the reverse fixture as Man Utd secured an imperative victory over Kobenhavn at Old Trafford. United were unimpressive in victory, but the three points were all that was necessary.

Erik ten Hag's side are now hunting down Galatasaray in Group A and will hope Bayern do them a favour on Wednesday night. However, the Red Devils must get the job done themselves in the Danish capital.

Kobenhavn have shown during the group stage so far that they're more than capable of beating a mediocre United side in front of their own fans.

Arsenal vs Sevilla - Group B

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Emirates Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU)
• VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER

Furious with his side's defeat at Newcastle United, Mikel Arteta will be hoping his players utilise Saturday's perceived injustice to their advantage against Sevilla.

Arsenal are in a strong position in Group B after winning in Seville last time out, but the Gunners are still without Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey which has hindered their attacking performance in recent outings.

Sevilla have emerged as draw specialists with Diego Alonso at the helm, and a share of the spoils could be invaluable at the Emirates. The Spaniards have notched just two points in the group so far.

PSV vs Lens - Group B

• Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Stadium: Philips Stadion
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER) 
• VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

PSV's Eredivisie record at the start of 2023/24 is nothing short of remarkable. Peter Bosz has overseen 11 straight victories, and his side are averaging just shy of four goals per game.

In the Champions League, though, they haven't quite found their groove. The Dutch side sit bottom of Group B with two points having been thumped 4-0 by Arsenal on Matchday 1. They need their campaign to ignite in Eindhoven against a plucky Lens outfit.

Lens' victory over Arsenal leaves them in second place, but they'll be on the road twice during the second half of the group stage. They'll be hoping they're still in a position to progress when they host Sevilla on Matchday 6.

Real Madrid vs Braga - Group C

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Halil Umut Meler (TUR
• VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)

Real Madrid are one of four teams to have maintained a 100% record through three games, and they look poised to progress into the knockouts as group winners.

While their reliance on Jude Bellingham in the final third could cripple them in the latter stages of this competition, Madrid have so far been able to squeak out results in Group C. All three of their wins so far have come by one-goal margins.

Braga were more than competitive in the reverse fixture, but it'll be a tough ask for them to triumph in the Spanish capital. The Portuguese side seem destined for a third-place finish in the group.

RB Salzburg vs Inter - Group D

• Location: Salzburg, Austria
• Stadium: Stadion Salzburg
• Date: Wednesday 8 November
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED)
• VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (NED)

Inter have a fight on their hands if they're to secure top spot at Real Sociedad's expense. The La Liga side currently sit at the summit on goal difference.

This is a tricky fixture for the Nerazzurri with RB Salzburg looking to get into the qualifying picture. They've recorded three points from their opening three games and are four points adrift of the leaders.

Inter, though, have lost just once in all competitions this season and they possess one of Europe's most in-form strikers at the start of 2023/24. Everything Lautaro Martinez touches at the moment turns to gold.

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