Key events
We have a separate live blog for Chelsea v Barcelona. Scott Murray, the MBM version of Diego Maradona is on duty for that.
The only previous meeting between Marseille and Newcastle was the Uefa Cup semi-final of 2003-04, won by an emerging superstar from Ivory Coast. Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have never met before. Chelsea and Barcelona have a peedie bit of history.
Just one goal in the first half of the two early games. Samuel Dahl sixth-minute sizzler has given Jose Mourinho’s Benfica™ a 1-0 lead away to Ajax.
Marseille v Newcastle preview
Although Newcastle arrived in the south of France on Monday fresh from their restorative 2-1 home Premier League win against Manchester City on Saturday, and having beaten Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, their sole away victory since early April came in Brussels at Union SG.
Not that Howe was overly keen to discuss the psychological aspect of this travel sickness. “The Champions League is different to Premier League games,” said a manager whose team are sixth in the European table, with nine points from a possible 12 and automatic progression to the knockout phase almost within touching distance. “I don’t know if you can compare them.”
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another orgy of Champions League football. There are nine games tonight, with three English teams involved. Chelsea meet Barcelona* in the match of the night, Newcastle go to Marseille and Manchester City – vulnerable away but magnificent at home – host Bayer Leverkusen.
We’re at the halfway point of the league stage, so the table is starting to take shape. All six English teams are in the top 12 – but there are only two points between fifth and sixteenth, so there’s a whiff of snakes and ladders about the whole thing. It’s all up for grabs.
These are tonight’s games, all 8pm kick-offs unless stated.
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Ajax 0-1 Benfica (5.45pm)
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Galatasaray 0-0 Union SG (5.45pm)
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Bodo/Glimt to Juventus
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Chelsea in Barcelona
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Dortmund v Villarreal
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Man City in Leverkusen
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Marseille v Newcastle
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Napoli v Qarabag
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Slavia Prague in Athletic Bilbao
* You’re thinking about Ronaldinho, aren’t you?
