European Cup Matches Tonight: Marseille v Newcastle & More

Welcome to another evening of electrifying European Cup football. Nine fixtures are planned for tonight, featuring 3 English teams in play. Chelsea take on Barcelona in the standout match of the night, whilst The Magpies visit the French side and City host Bayer Leverkusen.

Group Rankings

It's the midway stage of the league phase, so the standings is beginning to form. Each of the six English clubs are currently in the upper twelve, but there are only 2 pts separating 5th and sixteenth place, thus there's a hint of uncertainty about the entire situation. All remains open.

Tonight’s Fixtures

These are tonight’s matches, each kicking off at 8pm unless stated:

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

Lineup Changes

Wesley Fofana, Caicedo, Alejandro Garnacho, Gusto and Estevao join the Blues team. Out go Tosin Adarabioyo, Santos, Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Yamal is in the starting lineup for Barça; Marcus Rashford is on the bench.

The Blues (possible 4-3-3) Sanchez; James, Wesley Fofana, Chalobah, Marc Cucurella; Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Enzo; Estevao, Neto, Garnacho.

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

Barça (possible 4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Ferran Torres; Lewandowski.

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

Referee Slavko Vincic (Slovenian).

Past Meetings

The only previous meeting between Marseille and Newcastle was the Uefa Cup semi-final of 2003-04, won by an rising star from Côte d'Ivoire. Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City have not faced each other previously. Barcelona and Chelsea have some past encounters.

Early Match Updates

Only a single goal in the first half of the two early games. Samuel Dahl's 6th-minute strike has given Benfica under Mourinho a 1-0 lead away to the Dutch side.

Marseille v Newcastle Preview

Even though The Magpies arrived in the south of France coming off their confidence-boosting 2-1 home Premier League win over Manchester City on the weekend, and having defeated Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, their sole away win since early April came in the Belgian capital at Union SG.

It's not that Howe was eager to discuss the mental side of this away form issue. “The Champions League is distinct from Premier League games,” said the manager, whose side are 6th in the European table, with 9 points from a available 12 and direct progression to the knockout phase almost within touching distance. “I am not sure if you can compare them.”

A dedicated live feed is available for Barcelona vs Chelsea. Murray, the MBM version of Maradona is on duty for that.
Glenn Hudson
Glenn Hudson

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to sharing stories that inspire positive change and self-discovery.