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Greetings to another night of thrilling European Cup soccer. 9 matches are set for this evening, featuring three British clubs in play. Chelsea meet Barcelona in the key match of the evening, while Newcastle travel to the French side and City welcome Bayer Leverkusen.

Group Rankings

We're at the halfway point of the league phase, meaning the table is beginning to form. Each of the six British teams are currently in the top 12, however there are only two pts between fifth and sixteenth place, thus there's a hint of volatility about the whole thing. All remains open.

Tonight’s Fixtures

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

• Ajax 0-1 Benfica (17:45)
• Union SG and Galatasaray level at 0-0 (5.45pm)
• 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

Lineup Changes

Fofana, Moises Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Estevao join the Chelsea side. Dropped are Tosin Adarabioyo, Santos, Gittens, Pedro and Liam Delap.

Lamine Yamal starts for Barça; Marcus Rashford is on the bench.

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

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

Barça (possible four-two-three-one): Garcia; Jules Kounde, Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Balde; Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Ferran Torres; Robert Lewandowski.

Substitutes: Szczesny, Diego Kochen, Raphinha, Rashford, Christensen, Casado, Gerard, Olmo, Noah Darvich, Dario Fernandez, Bardghji.

Official Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).

Historical Context

The only previous meeting involving Newcastle and Marseille was the Uefa Cup semi-final of 2004, claimed by an rising star from Côte d'Ivoire. Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have never met before. Chelsea and Barcelona have some past encounters.

Initial Game Reports

Only a single goal during the opening period of the two early games. Samuel Dahl's 6th-minute sizzler has earned Benfica under Mourinho a one-nil lead at Ajax.

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Even though Newcastle arrived in the south of France fresh from their confidence-boosting 2-1 home Premier League win over Manchester City on Saturday, and having defeated Union SG, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in the European Cup, their only away win since early April came in Brussels at Union SG.

Not that Eddie Howe was eager to discuss the psychological aspect of this travel sickness. “The European Cup is distinct from domestic games,” said the manager, whose side are 6th in the European table, with 9 pts from a available 12 and direct progression to the knockout phase almost within touching distance. “I don’t know if you can compare them.”

A dedicated live feed is available for Chelsea v Barcelona. Murray, the MBM version of Maradona is handling for that.