UCL Preview: Barca & Dortmund go head to head, defending Champions visit Napoli

Champions League is back! Welcome to our All Football Champions League Preview! For the group stage!

Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona (Group F)

Kick off time (Your time)

UTC 2019/09/17 19:00

Probable Lineups: 

Focus:

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed Nico Schulz is injured, while Lukasz Piszczek is not 100 per cent fit either. Achraf Hakimi may have to fill in at full-back.

Former Barcelona striker Paco Alcácer will have something to prove to his former club, while Jadon Sancho will hope to further his reputation with a solid display against one of the best clubs in the world. 

Thomas Delaney and Julian Weigl compete for one starting berth in midfield, while summer signings Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt compete for a spot on the left wing.

Manuel Akanji recovered from injury in time to feature in Dortmund's 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend and will be fine to start here as well.

Lionel Messi has been declared fit for Barcelona and should make his first appearance of the season here. Summer signing Neto is also over his injury concerns.

Ansu Fati and Carles Pérez, who have been so impressive for Barcelona so far this season, will unfortunately drop to the bench on Tuesday with Messi now available.

With Samuel Umtiti sidelined, Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique are both safe to start at the back for Barcelona. Nélson Semedo has established himself as Barcelona's first-choice right-back this season and should continue here.

Prediction:

Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Barcelona

Napoli vs Liverpool (Group E)

Kick off time (Your time)

UTC 2019/09/17 19:00

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Lorenzo Insigne recovered from injury to feature as a substitute in Napoli's 2-0 win over Sampdoria over the weekend and should be fine to start on Tuesday.

Divock Origi picked up an injury in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Newcastle and will play no part here. He joins Alisson and Naby Keita on the sidelines for Liverpool.

Andrew Robertson is rated as a doubt for Liverpool after missing training on Monday. James Milner will deputise at left-back if Robertson fails to recover from injury in time.

Jurgen Klopp will ponder changes from the side that started against Newcastle. Joe Gomez will hope to come into the XI at either right-back or centre-back.

Roberto Firmino will start on Tuesday after being rested at the weekend. Jordan Henderson should also return to the starting XI.

Prediction:

Napoli 1-1 Liverpool

Chelsea vs Valencia (Group H)

Kick off time (Your time)

UTC 2019/09/17 19:00

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Antonio Rudiger is set for another spell on the sidelines having only just returned from injury. He joins Ruben Loftus-Cheek out injured for Frank Lampard's side. Emerson is not expected to recover from a muscle injury to feature in midweek.

Reece James, N'Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi are injury concerns heading into Tuesday's game with Valencia but all three are closing in on first-team returns. Emerson is not expected to recover from a muscle injury to feature in midweek.

Tammy Abraham has scored seven goals in Chelsea's last three games and will surely continue in attack in midweek. Lampard may look to bring in fresh legs on the flanks, however.

Cristiano Piccini and Carlos Soler are both ruled out for Valencia. Geoffrey Kondogbia will hope to start over former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin on Tuesday.

Prediction:

Chelsea 2-1 Valencia

Inter vs Slavia Prague (Group F)

Kick off time (Your time)

UTC 2019/09/17 16:55

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Romelu Lukaku and Stefan de Vrij are both doubts for Inter but are expected to overcome injury to start for the Serie A giants.

Alexis Sanchez is expected to be eased into life at Inter following his loan switch from Manchester United and may have to wait for his full debut for the club.

Slavia Prague will go with their strongest available side in Italy and Inter must keep an eye on creative midfielder Nicolae Stanciu.

Prediction:

Inter 2-0 Slavia Prague