Champions League Matches Tonight: Marseille v Newcastle & More

Greetings to another night of exciting Champions League football. Nine fixtures are set for tonight, with three British clubs in action. Chelsea take on Barça in the standout match of the evening, while Newcastle travel to Marseille and City welcome Leverkusen.

Group Rankings

It's the midway point of the group stage, so the rankings is starting to take shape. All six English teams are presently in the top 12, but there are only 2 pts between 5th and 16th position, thus there's a hint of volatility about the whole thing. All remains open.

Tonight’s Fixtures

Here are tonight’s fixtures, all kicking off at 8:00 PM unless stated:

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

Team News

Wesley Fofana, Caicedo, Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao are included in the Chelsea side. Excluded are Adarabioyo, Santos, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Delap.

Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barcelona; Marcus Rashford is among the substitutes.

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

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Santos, Pedro, Jorrel Hato, George, Acheampong, Marc Guiu, Facundo Buonanotte.

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

Subs: Szczesny, Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Dani Olmo, Noah Darvich, Dario Fernandez, Bardghji.

Referee Vincic (Slovenia).

Historical Context

The sole past encounter involving Newcastle and Marseille was the Uefa Cup semi-final of 2004, claimed by an emerging star from Ivory Coast. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have never met before. Barcelona and Chelsea have a peedie bit of history.

Initial Game Reports

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

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Although Newcastle arrived in the French south coming off their restorative 2-1 home English top-flight victory against City on Saturday, and having beaten Union SG, Benfica and Bilbao in the European Cup, their only away win since the start of April came in Brussels at Union Saint-Gilloise.

It's not that Howe was eager to discuss the psychological aspect of this away form issue. “The European Cup is distinct from Premier League games,” said the manager, whose team are sixth in the European table, with 9 points from a available twelve and direct progression to the last 16 almost within touching distance. “I am not sure if you can draw parallels between them.”

A dedicated live feed is available for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Murray, the MBM equivalent of Diego Maradona is handling for that.