Champions League Action This Evening: Chelsea v Barcelona & Additional Games

Greetings to a fresh night of thrilling Champions League soccer. 9 fixtures are planned for this evening, featuring three English teams in play. The Blues face Barça in the standout match of the evening, while Newcastle visit the French side and City welcome Leverkusen.

League Table

It's the halfway point of the group stage, meaning the rankings is starting to take shape. All six British sides are presently in the top 12, however there are only 2 pts between fifth and sixteenth place, so there's a sense of uncertainty about the whole thing. All remains open.

This Evening's Games

Here are this evening's games, all kicking off at 8:00 PM unless stated:

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

Team News

Fofana, Moises Caicedo, Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao all come into the Chelsea lineup. Excluded are Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Lamine Yamal starts for Barça; Marcus Rashford is among the substitutes.

The Blues (possible four-three-three) Robert Sanchez; James, Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Cucurella; Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Enzo; Estevao, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho.

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

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

Subs: Szczesny, Diego Kochen, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Olmo, Noah Darvich, Dro Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.

Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenian).

Past Meetings

The sole past encounter between Newcastle and Marseille was the Europa League semifinal of 2004, won by an rising superstar from Côte d'Ivoire. Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have never met before. Barcelona and Chelsea have a peedie bit of history.

Initial Game Reports

Only a single goal during the opening period of the two early games. Dahl's sixth-minute strike has given Benfica under Mourinho a 1-0 lead at Ajax.

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Even though The Magpies traveled to the south of France fresh from their confidence-boosting 2-1 home Premier League win over Manchester City on the weekend, and having beaten Union SG, Benfica and Bilbao in the Champions League, their sole on the road win since early April came in Brussels at Union SG.

Not that Howe was overly keen to discuss the mental side of this travel sickness. “The European Cup is different to Premier League games,” said the coach, whose side are 6th in the Champions League standings, with 9 pts from a available twelve and direct qualification to the knockout phase almost within touching distance. “I am not sure if you can compare them.”

A dedicated live feed is available for Chelsea v Barcelona. Murray, the minute-by-minute equivalent of Diego Maradona is handling for that.