Image source, Getty Images

Remember Nani? The forgotten man of Manchester United starts for Sporting Lisbon in their Group G game away to Maribor in Slovenia. His appearance in United's Champions League final triumph against Chelsea in Moscow in 2008 must seem a long, long time ago.

Mark Sinclair:, external If the Bundesliga ever produces anything like City winning the league in 2012 I'll eat my pyjamas

Shane Long:, external I watch a lot of Bundesliga and Premier League. Very rare to get a dull game in Bundesliga. Premier League often has boring games

Dave Hansford:, external England Premier League fast, furious & entertaining. Bundesliga cheaper to watch, better for fans & producing top national team

Image source, Getty Images

Fifteen minutes to kick-off then, as Manchester City complete their warm-up at the Allianz Arena. City's strength in depth is certainly impressive these days - as Frank Lampard joins the likes of James Milner, Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergio Aguero and Eli Mangala on the bench.

How far can they go this time?

If you are wondering if a mid-table English side are better than a mid-table German side you'll be pleased to know that the Europa League returns tomorrow...

Rob in Brighton, via text: The German league is definitely something to aspire to from a fans perspective, but I'm sorry they cannot boast the depth of quality that the English Premier League can. I'd fancy any mid-table English side over a mid-table German team.

Dave in Oxford, via text: I lived in Germany for three years, near Kaiserslautern. My match ticket also allowed me to use the train to get to the game. Football in Germany is perfection.

Manchester City will be without boss Manuel Pellegrini tonight as the Chilean sits out the second of his two-match touchline ban for criticising the referee after his side's Champions League match against Barcelona last season.

Pellegrini said after the 2-0 home loss that Swedish official Jonas Eriksson was "not impartial to both teams".

He was charged with misconduct and will be in the stands this evening. Assistant Ruben Cousillas will be the man on the front line.

Image source, AFP

Opta Joe:, external 2 - Manchester City have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last five Champions League games.

Former West Ham and Celtic striker John Hartson

"This is sad news, and my thoughts and best wishes are with Jonas Gutierrez. The fact that he's had an operation and is undergoing chemotherapy sounds like it's been detected early. An early diagnosis is key.

"I ignored my symptoms for years and the effects were devastating. I nearly died. Testicular cancer though is one of the most treatable forms of cancer - that's why it's so important to raise awareness and for men to check themselves."

Away from the glitz and glamour of the Champions League, Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has thanked fans for their support after revealing he is being treated for testicular cancer.

The 31-year-old had an operation in his native Argentina to remove his left testicle after the discovery of a tumour, and is undergoing chemotherapy.

"Thanks for all the messages. Always looking forward," he wrote on Twitter.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"I keep looking at Manchester City and they have underachieved in the Champions League but I completely understand why. It takes time to get used to going from the Champions League and back into the Premier League on a Sunday and then changing the tactics for Europe.

"The groups they keep getting are not helping either. The seeding system really works against them and they need to keep on winning the title so their seeding will improve and they will stop ending in the group of death."

We asked which is best the Premier League or Bundesliga, tweet us #bbcfootball, external or text us on 81111

Charlie in Shrewsbury, via text: Premier League for competitiveness and attracting the top players, Bundesliga for development of top players, atmospheres, running football clubs properly

Andy in Glasgow, via text: I went to Hanover vs Stuttgart a couple of seasons ago. The stadium, facilities and fans were first class. The match itself was one of the worst I've ever seen...

Over in the Bundesliga it's been pretty much business as usual for champions Bayern Munich. A defeat to Dortmund in the curtain-raising SuperCup was soon forgotten and they are currently in second place on seven points from a possible nine.

Their draw came against Chelsea's foes this evening, Schalke, who held Bayern to a 1-1 scoreline last month. That is very much the bright point for Schalke though - they've lost every other game this season. Could be a tough evening ahead for Jens Keller and his team.

Image source, PA

Remember Georgios Donis?

The former Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield midfielder surely faces the most difficult job of the night - getting his Apoel Nicosia team to stop Barcelona from scoring in the Nou Camp. The champions of Cyprus actually made the Champions League quarter-finals in 2011-12, but they face a huge task to get out of Group F, which also contains Ajax and Paris St-Germain.

Ashley Cole starts on the bench as Roma entertain CSKA Moscow in Group E, while Athletic Bilbao host Shakhtar Donetsk, the Spanish club's first group game for 16 years. Other fixtures include Porto at home to Belarus champions Bate Borisov and Sporting Lisbon away to Maribor in Slovenia.

Bayern Munich, external: "Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayern!"

Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"Chelsea have got the strongest squad in the Premier League and I watched a lot of German football last season and outside of Dortmund and Bayern Munich there isn't much quality in that league, so I think this is a pretty straightforward game for Chelsea."

Lloyd Evans:, external Bundesliga hands down; fan-run clubs = lower season ticket prices = better atmospheres at games.

Layton Adkins:, external I prefer the @premierleague all day long because unlike the @bundesliga_de anything can happen!

David Alexander:, external Bundesliga! Standing allowed, fan owned clubs, sensible ticket pricing.

Keep your tweets coming #bbcfootball, external or text us on 81111 and tell us which is best the Premier League or Bundesliga.

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a case of so far, so excellent for Chelsea as Jose Mourinho's men have stormed to the top of the Premier League.

Brazilian/Spanish goal machine Diego Costa has settled into the English game like the chicken and balti pie, while Cesc Fabregas has assumed the role of Jeff Lebowski's rug - he ties it all together.

Four games, four wins, 15 goals scored so far.

Manchester City have had a mixed start. Outplayed in the Community Shield, they won well against Newcastle and Liverpool in the Premier League before a shock home loss to Stoke and an exciting 2-2 draw at Arsenal at the weekend.

How about we get the Bundesliga to run the Premier League then?

We've had a mixed response to tonight's debate: Which is best, the Premier League or the Bundeslig? Keep your tweets and texts coming.

Jack:, external @premierleague Every day of the week! Every season it's so competitive, whereas in Germany you know Bayern will win

Tom Cross:, external @premierleague because there is always unexpected results and it is such a battle for the top 4 and for Premier League survival

Tom:, external Football wise the Premier League but crowds wise and ticket pricing Bundesliga all day.