Champions League Fixtures Tonight: Marseille v Newcastle & More
Welcome to a fresh evening of exciting Champions League football. Nine fixtures are set for tonight, with 3 British clubs in play. Chelsea take on Barcelona in the marquee match of the evening, while Newcastle visit the French side and City welcome Leverkusen.
League Table
It's the midway stage of the group phase, meaning the rankings is starting to take shape. Each of the six British teams are currently in the upper twelve, however there are only two points between fifth and sixteenth place, thus there's a hint of uncertainty about the whole thing. Everything is to play for.
Match Schedule
Here are this evening's games, all kicking off at 8:00 PM unless stated:
- Benfica lead Ajax 1-0 (17:45)
- Union SG and Galatasaray level at 0-0 (17:45)
- Bodo/Glimt v Juventus
- Chelsea v Barcelona
- Dortmund v Villarreal
- Man City v Leverkusen
- Newcastle travel to Marseille
- Napoli v Qarabag
- Slavia Prague v Athletic Bilbao
Squad Updates
Fofana, Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao are included in the Chelsea lineup. Out go Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Lamine Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barcelona; Marcus Rashford is among the substitutes.
The Blues (possible 4-3-3) Sanchez; James, Wesley Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo; Estevao, Neto, Garnacho.
Subs: Kjell Scherpen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Liam Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Andrey Santos, Pedro, Hato, George, Acheampong, Guiu, Buonanotte.
Barcelona (possible four-two-three-one): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Garcia, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres; Lewandowski.
Subs: Szczesny, Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Dani Olmo, Bernal, Dro Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.
Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
Past Meetings
The sole past encounter between Newcastle and Marseille was the Europa League semifinal of 2003-04, claimed by an emerging superstar from Ivory Coast. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City 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. Dahl's 6th-minute strike has given Benfica under Mourinho a 1-0 advantage at the Dutch side.
Marseille v Newcastle Preview
Although Newcastle arrived in the south of France coming off their restorative 2-1 home English top-flight win over Manchester City on Saturday, and having beaten Union SG, the Portuguese side and Athletic Bilbao in the European Cup, their sole on the road victory since early April came in the Belgian capital at Union Saint-Gilloise.
It's not that Howe was eager to discuss the psychological aspect of this away form issue. “The Champions League is distinct from domestic games,” said the manager, whose side are 6th in the Champions League standings, with nine pts from a possible 12 and direct progression to the last 16 almost within touching distance. “I don’t know if you can compare them.”
A dedicated live feed is available for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Scott Murray, the MBM equivalent of Diego Maradona is on duty for that.
