UEFA Champions League: Wednesday slate loaded with great matches

On Tuesday, most of the big-name sides were supposed to win comfortably, but only Barcelona avoided facing a serious challenge. Wednesday's matches promise to be even better, with more evenly matched fixtures between great teams.

AC Milan and Zenit St. Petersburg are both in tough spots after their Matchday 1 results. Milan were very poor in a draw against Anderlecht, while Zenit got stomped by Malaga. No one expects two upsets in this group, but if this match ends in a draw while Anderlecht beats Malaga at home, Milan and Zenit will sit third and fourth after two matches.

Borussia Dortmund go away to Eastlands in the biggest game of the afternoon, a clash between the reigning German and English champions. Both teams have gotten off to slightly shaky starts to their domestic seasons, but are coming off wins over the weekend. In Group D's other match, Ajax hosts Real Madrid and will do well to avoid a beating, even as Real Madrid keep one eye on this weekend's Clasico.

Ligue 1 big spenders Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their season with three draws, but they've been nothing short of perfect since. They face a tough test on the road against Porto. The other Group A match between Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb is probably a battle for a Europa League place. In Group B, Arsenal host Olympiakos and Montpellier go away to Gelsenkirchen to take on Schalke.

Schedule (all times ET)

Zenit St. Petersburg vs. AC Milan - 12 p.m.
Dynamo Kiev vs. Dinamo Zagreb - 2:45 p.m.
FC Porto vs. Paris Saint-Germain - 2:45 p.m.
Arsenal vs. Olympiakos - 2:45 p.m.
Anderlecht vs. Malaga - 2:45 p.m.
Ajax vs. Real Madrid - 2:45 p.m.
Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund - 2:45 p.m.

While we're here, check out our video preview of the matches.