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Greetings to a fresh night of exciting Champions League soccer. 9 fixtures are planned for this evening, with three English clubs in play. Chelsea take on Barcelona in the marquee match of the evening, whilst Newcastle travel to Marseille and Manchester City welcome Leverkusen.

Current Standings

We're at the midway stage of the league stage, so the table is starting to take shape. All six English sides are presently in the upper twelve, however there are only 2 points separating fifth and 16th place, so there's a hint of snakes and ladders about the whole thing. All remains open.

Match Schedule

Here are tonight’s fixtures, each kicking off at 8pm except where noted:

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

Team News

Wesley Fofana, Caicedo, Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Estevao are included in the Chelsea side. Out go Adarabioyo, Santos, Jamie Gittens, Pedro and Liam Delap.

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

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

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Delap, Bynoe-Gittens, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro, Jorrel Hato, George, Joshua Acheampong, Guiu, Buonanotte.

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

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

Official Vincic (Slovenia).

Historical Context

The only previous meeting involving Marseille and Newcastle was the Europa League semi-final of 2003-04, won by an rising star from Ivory Coast. Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have never met before. Chelsea and Barcelona have some past encounters.

Initial Game Reports

Just one goal during the opening period of the two early games. Samuel Dahl's sixth-minute goal has earned Benfica under Mourinho a one-nil advantage at Ajax.

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Even though Newcastle arrived in the south of France fresh from their restorative two-one home Premier League win over Manchester City on the weekend, and having defeated Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Bilbao in the European Cup, their sole on the road win since the start of April came in Brussels at Union Saint-Gilloise.

It's not that Howe was overly keen to discuss the psychological aspect of this travel sickness. “The European Cup is different to domestic games,” said the coach, whose team are sixth in the Champions League standings, with nine points from a available 12 and direct qualification to the knockout phase nearly secured. “I am not sure if you can draw parallels between them.”

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