Uefa Champions League Matchday 1 rounds up this evening.
Catch the games live on SuperSport channels on DSTV.
Real Madrid vs Roma
Competition/Round: 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Group G
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 9 pm.
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
Real Madrid begin the defence of their third successive title when they play Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu on tonight.
Los Blancos have made a positive start to life under Julen Lopetegui, remaining unbeaten in their first four league games to sit second in the table behind arch-rivals Barcelona.
All the star players are available and midfielder Casemiro who started on the bench against Bilbao at the weekend could return to the first XI.
On the other hand, Roma will be looking to the experience of Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker bagged eight goals for the Serie A club’s run to the semi-finals last season but his current form has saw him finding the back of the net only once in the league.
Two players – Ante Coric (thigh) and Javier Pastore (calf) are missing from the squad that will do duty for the visitors tonight.
Meanwhile, there are ten meetings between the two sides and Real have dominated with six wins while Roma have three. The most recent encounter was in 2016 where the Spanish team won 2-0.
Young Boys vs Manchester United
Competition/Round: 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Group H
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 9 pm.
Venue: Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland.
Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia will miss tonight’s away game against Swiss side Young Boys who are returning to the Champions League after 31 years.
Luke Shaw who was left out of Saturday’s 2-1 win against Watford following his concussion on England duty is set to start in place of Valencia.
The hosts will be without their young midfield prospect Jordan Lotomba, as well as Sandro Lauper, who are set to miss out with knee and ankle injuries respectively.
However, their flawless start to their domestic season in Switzerland, six wins in six games, will give them hope as they look for a great start to their European campaign.
Valencia vs Juventus
Competition/Round: 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Group H
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 9 pm.
Venue: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo is set for his Champions League debut in Juventus colours away at Valencia tonight.
The home team have had an abysmal start to their La Liga campaign and find themselves just a spot above the relegation zone. But their decent home record in the Champions League, of five wins and two draws in the last 10 home matches, is something that will rise the team’s confidence.
Gabriel Paulista and Mouctar Diakhaby are expected to start for the Spanish team as the centre-back pairing, while Carlos Soler, Denis Cheryshev and Rodrigo are likely to feature tonight.Ezequiel Garay is still on the sidelines due to injury.
Juve who have won all of their Serie A games thus far will miss the injured duo of Andrea Barzagli and Mattia De Sciglio while Paulo Dybala has a contusion to his left-foot but it’s not thought to be serious.
Other Fixtures
Ajax vs AEK – 6:55 pm
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Hoffenheim -6:55 pm
Benfica vs Bayern – 8 pm
Plzen vs CSKA Moscow – 8 pm
Man City vs Lyon – 8 pm