UCL Preview: Real begin defence of 3rd successive crown; Ronaldo to make CL debut for Juve

Champions League is finally back! Welcome to our All Football Champions League Preview!

Real Madrid vs Roma

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 19-Sep-18

Probable Lineups

Real Madrid focus

No surprises are expected from Real Madrid when they host Roma on Wednesday.

Isco and Casemiro made a difference off the bench against Athletic Club on Saturday night but only the latter is expected to start.

Roma focus

Javier Pastore is ruled out with a muscle injury.

Daniele De Rossi was fit enough to feature from the bench in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Chievo.

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante will battle for a slot in Roma's midfield on Wednesday.

Stats

Real Madrid and Roma were both held to draws at the weekend but Roma's result was more of a shock as they were 2-0 up against Chievo.

Julen Lopetegui has made an unbeaten start to life as manager and is expected to win his first Champions League game in charge of the reigning champions.

Roma, meanwhile, have struggled so far this season and throwing away a 2-0 lead would have impacted their confidence even more.

The Serie A side have only won one of their opening four competitive matches this season and lost 2-0 on their last visit to the Bernabéu.

Prediction

Real Madrid 2-0 Roma

BSC Young Boys vs Manchester United

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 19-Sep-18

Probable Lineups

BSC Young Boys focus

Young Boys have four injury concerns ahead of Wednesday's welcome of European giants Manchester United: Pedro Teixeira, Jordan Lotomba, Gregory Wüthrich and Sandro Lauper.

The home side were pushed all the way to extra-time on Saturday night in the Swiss Cup and fatigue could prove an issue here.

Wüthrich, usually at centre-back, missed out through injury and would be a big loss for Gerardo Seoane's side.

Manchester United focus

Luke Shaw was not risked against Watford on Sunday but Jose Mourinho afterwards confirmed he would start against Young Boys on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford started a three-game domestic ban at the weekend but is free to play in midweek and could rotate in for Alexis Sanchez.

Marcos Rojo is injured again after limping off for the U23s on Friday night, joining Phil Jones on the sidelines. Ander Herrera and Diogo Dalot could feature in midweek, with the latter making his debut.

Juan Mata hasn't featured in any of United's last three matches but has a chance to play agains Young Boys.

Marouane Fellaini has started United's last two league games but could be saved for the weekend, paving the way for Fred to return to the starting XI.

Stats

Young Boys have won only two of their last 10 European games (D4, L4)

Manchester United have lost only three of their last 20 European matches (W13, D4).

United are the overwhelming favourites in this match and their quality should eventually show.

Prediction

BSC Young Boys 0-2 Manchester United

Valencia vs Juventus

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 19-Sep-18

Probable Lineups

Valencia focus

Geoffrey Kondogbia came off after 14 minutes of Valencia's 0-0 draw with Real Betis on Saturday and is not expected to feature here as a result, with Ezequiel Garay and Francis Coquelin also injury concerns.

Michy Batshuayi has been limited to just four substitute appearances since joining Valencia on loan from Chelsea in the summer and may have to settle for another place on the bench here. Santi Mina and Kevin Gameiro are battling to partner Rodrigo in attack.

Gonçalo Guedes came off the bench against Betis to make his first appearance since returning to Valencia this summer but he may not be ready to start just yet, which is a blow for the home side.

Daniel Wass looks favourite to replace Kondogbia in central midfield alongside Dani Parejo, with few changes expected from Spanish side Valencia.

Juventus focus

Mattia De Sciglio picked up an injury warming-up before Juventus' 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday and is unlikely to feature here.

Douglas Costa was sent off at the weekend after spitting at an opponent and is not expected to feature for some time.

Giorgio Chiellini and Miralem Pjanic weren't risked against Sassuolo but will return to first-team action against Valencia.

Leonardo Spinazzola was not included in Juventus' Champions League squad as he recovers from knee surgery, while Andrea Barzagli is a doubt.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Juventus goals on Sunday and will be confident of adding to them up against familiar opponents Valencia.

Stats

Valencia have made a poor start to the season, winless in their first four league matches. They have drawn three of those games but will need to step it up to get anything from this match.

Juventus haven't clicked into gear and are still trying to find the best formation to maximise Cristiano Ronaldo's presence in the team. The Old Lady have, however, made a 100 per cent start to the season.

Juventus' record away to Spanish sides is not good. They have only won five of a possible 27 matches but have a great chance to change that here. Valencia have lost five of their last eight matches in the Champions League proper.

Prediction

Valencia 1-2 Juventus

Manchester City vs Lyon

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 19-Sep-18

Probable Lineups

Manchester City focus

Benjamin Mendy picked up a knee injury at the end of last week and is not expected to feature here.

Fabian Delph is expected to replace Mendy at left-back, but Aymeric Laporte can also play there.

Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany and John Stones compete for a starting berth at centre-back.

Leroy Sané was handed his first start of the season at the weekend and scored after a few minutes. He could keep his place in attack here.

Sergio Agüero avoided any serious injury at the weekend but may only be fit enough for the bench in midweek.

Claudio Bravo and Kevin De Bruyne are long-term absentees for the home side.

Lyon focus

Jason Denayer never made a single appearance during five years at Manchester City but could finally make his first appearance at the Etihad, with new club Lyon.

Memphis Depay was rested at the weekend and will start against City. Depay isn't the only former Manchester United player at Lyon, with Rafael also expected to start on Wednesday.

Moussa Dembele scored twice against City for Celtic last season but may have to settle for a place on the bench if Bruno Génésio is conservative with his selection.

Stats

Pep Guardiola was unhappy with Manchester City's finishing in their 3-0 win over Fulham. City are unbeaten this season but are still searching for their best form.

Lyon have stuttered their way through the start of the season. The French side have only won two of their opening five matches but have lost only one of their last six matches against English clubs.

After going 13 Champions League home matches unbeaten, City have lost their last two at the Etihad (vs Basel and Liverpool). Nevertheless, they should come through this potentially tricky contest with three points.

Prediction

Manchester City 3-1 Lyon

Benfica vs Bayern Munich

Benfica focus 

Benfica will be without Sébastien Corchia and Tyronne Ebuehi on Wednesday, while Eduardo Salvio, Lubomir Fejsa, Filip Krovinovic and Jonas are doubts.

Alfa Semedo may be required in central midfield if Fejsa fails to recover from injury in time.

Bayern Munich focus

Corentin Tolisso tore his ACL at the weekend and faces a long spell on the sideline.

Rafinha suffered ankle ligament damage in Bayern Munich's costly 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen and is out for a few weeks.

Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels are doubts for Bayern, while Kingsley Coman is another long-term absentee.

James Rodriguez has only made three substitute appearances this season as he continues to build his match fitness.

Javi Martinez will start if Leon Goretzka is not fit enough to feature from the off, while the same is true of Niklas Süle in regards to Hummels.

Stats

Benfica have lost three of their last five Champions League home games.

Bayern Munich are winless in their last three Champions League games.

Bayern have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 away matches in the competition, a run stretching back to December 2015.

The Bundesliga side are expected to beat Benfica but the home side should fancy their chances of scoring against Niko Kovac's side.

Prediction

Benfica 1-3 Bayern Munich