Champions League LIVE: Benfica lead at Ajax, Galatasaray in action, Chelsea vs Barca to come

Updated
Benfica celebrate goal
Benfica celebrate goalJOHN THYS / AFP / Flashscore

The Champions League is back for another round of drama, with Matchday 5 throwing up some blockbuster ties! This is your one-stop shop for all the team news, scores and more.

Follow the UCL action LIVE here.

20:00 CET - With just one hour until kick-off in tonight's late matches, the team news is in across some big matches. 

Firstly, from the standout encounter of the evening, as Chelsea host Barcelona, Enzo Maresca has named Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho in his starting lineup ahead of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

Which of Estevao, Garnacho and Pedro Neto will play false nine remains to be seen but it is another interesting tactical tweak from the very flexible Maresca. 

As for Barcelona, Hansi Flick has left Marcus Rashford and Raphinha on the bench, with both returning from injury.

Starting lineups
Starting lineupsFlashscore

Over in Manchester and Pep Guardiola has rung the changes as Man City host Bayer Leverkusen, with Nico the only player starting who started against Newcastle last weekend. 

19:32 CET - The half-time whistle has gone in both early kick-offs, and that Dahl goal for Benfica remains the only one from the two early games in a cagey start to matchday four. 

Ajax vs Benfica half-time stats
Ajax vs Benfica half-time statsStatsPerform via Opta
Galatasaray vs Royale Union SG first-half stats
Galatasaray vs Royale Union SG first-half statsStatsPerform via Opta

18:57 CET - Benfica have taken an early lead in Amsterdam through Swedish midfielder Samuel Dahl as Ajax's woes continue. 

That is the first goal of the night!

18:40 CET - Five minutes until kick-off in both early kick-offs and moments away from the teams walking out as this big night of Champions League action gets underway!

18:05 CET - Galatasaray are without their star striker Victor Osimhen as they host Royale Union SG, meaning experienced Argentine striker Mauro Icardi leads the line. 

Follow the clash here.

Starting lineups
Starting lineupsFlashscore

17:55 CET - The team news is in for the two early kick-offs. Jose Mourinho has gone for Benfica's clash at Ajax with star striker Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line. Check out the full team news below: 

Ajax vs Benfica starting lineups
Ajax vs Benfica starting lineupsFlashscore

Follow the action live with Flashscore.

17:30 CET - The match that really sticks out this evening as the one to watch is Chelsea vs Barcelona at Stamford Bridge from 21:00 CET. 

Neither side has been fully convincing in the Champions League this season; in fact, they are both coming off surprise draws in the competition. As a result, they will be keen to right some wrongs tonight.

You can find out where the big game will be won or lost in our in-depth preview here, and if you're wondering which other European fixtures you shouldn't miss this week, check out our European Highlights!

Chelsea vs Barcelona video preview
Flashscore

17:05 CET - Hello and welcome to our coverage of the UEFA Champions League's Matchday 5 in the league phase. Today and tomorrow, we have some tasty fixtures to enjoy in Europe's premier cup competition...

Starting off this evening, both Ajax and Galatasaray are hosting sides in the early kick-offs in their respective stadiums in Amsterdam and Istanbul. Those matches kick off at 18:45 CET.

Later from 21:00 CET, we have seven more fixtures to enjoy, with Chelsea vs Barcelona the headline affair, and Manchester City, Juventus and Dortmund all in action as well. Strap yourself in for some top-class football!

Today's fixtures in the Champions League
Today's fixtures in the Champions LeagueFlashscore

Check out the full list of fixtures and follow the action here.