Champions League Action Tonight: Chelsea v Barcelona & More

Greetings to a fresh night of thrilling European Cup soccer. 9 games are planned for this evening, featuring 3 English teams in play. The Blues take on Barcelona in the marquee match of the evening, while The Magpies travel to the French side and Manchester City host Leverkusen.

Group Rankings

We're at the midway stage of the league stage, so the standings is beginning to form. All six English sides are presently in the upper twelve, but there are only two points separating fifth and 16th position, thus there's a hint of uncertainty about the entire situation. It’s all up for grabs.

Match Schedule

Here are this evening's games, each kicking off at 8:00 PM except where noted:

• Ajax 0-1 Benfica (17:45)
• Union SG and Galatasaray level at 0-0 (5.45pm)
• Juventus face Bodo/Glimt
• Barcelona take on Chelsea
• Dortmund v Villarreal
• Man City v Leverkusen
• Newcastle travel to Marseille
• Qarabag play Napoli
• Athletic Bilbao clash with Slavia Prague

Squad Updates

Fofana, Moises Caicedo, Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao are included in the Blues side. Excluded are Tosin Adarabioyo, Santos, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barça; Marcus Rashford is on the bench.

Chelsea (possible four-three-three) Sanchez; Reece James, Fofana, Chalobah, Marc Cucurella; Malo Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo; Estevao, Neto, Garnacho.

Subs: Kjell Scherpen, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Liam Delap, Bynoe-Gittens, Santos, Joao Pedro, Hato, George, Acheampong, Guiu, Facundo Buonanotte.

Barcelona (probable four-two-three-one): Garcia; Jules Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Eric Garcia, De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski.

Subs: Szczesny, Diego Kochen, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Olmo, Bernal, Dario Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.

Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenian).

Previous Encounters

The sole past encounter between Newcastle and Marseille was the Europa League semifinal of 2003-04, claimed by an rising superstar from Ivory Coast. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have not faced each other previously. Chelsea and Barcelona have some past encounters.

Early Match Updates

Only a single goal in the first half of the two early games. Samuel Dahl's sixth-minute goal has given Benfica under Mourinho a one-nil advantage at Ajax.

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Even though The Magpies traveled to the south of France fresh from their confidence-boosting two-one home Premier League win against Manchester City on the weekend, and having defeated Union SG, Benfica and Bilbao in the Champions League, their only away victory since early April came in Brussels at Union Saint-Gilloise.

Not that Howe was eager to talk about the mental side of this travel sickness. “The Champions League is distinct from domestic games,” said the coach, whose side are 6th in the European table, with nine points from a possible twelve and direct qualification to the last 16 almost within touching distance. “I am not sure if you can compare them.”

We have a separate live blog for Chelsea v Barcelona. Murray, the MBM equivalent of Diego Maradona is on duty for that.