As Europe's elites return to play in the UEFA Champions League this week, a new layer of seriousness is beginning to creep in as the business end of the league phase begins, the pressure building as the race to secure spots in the knockout stages heats up.

Matchday 5 will once again feature matchups between heavyweights, first up Barcelona's trip to Chelsea on Tuesday. The pair have identical records entering Matchday 5 with just two wins so far, each of them hitting a new bump in the road on Matchday 4 – the Blues tied 2-2 at Qarabag while Barcelona settled for a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge that exposed their defensive frailties. With seven points each, though, both teams are still within touching distance of a top eight spot – Liverpool currently sit eighth with nine points.

Wednesday'

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