Good signs...

Chelsea

Chelsea have travelled to Russia tonight for their group E match with FK Krasnodar, who drew with Rennes last week.

Frank Lampard's side also drew with Sevilla - a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge - and they haven't won in the past three games in all competitions.

"People look at this group and think it is comfortable for us, but we have to have edge against Krasnodar," said Lampard.

"They are new into the Champions League so will have absolute motivation. We're very focused on the game."

Sulaimon Adelekan: I expect Chelsea to win comfortably tonight and its good to see Ziyech starting. For Manchester United RB Leipzig are very tricky opponent but the reds should edge this tie.

SS345: Don't see United doing too well, struggling a lot in the league at the moment, as well as having a slight CB crisis. Chelsea, on the other hand, while not true contenders, are one of the stronger teams I'd say. Their squad depth too is very good. Can see them in the semi-finals.

Odds Manager: Ziyech to pull the strings tonight for Werner!

The English Football League has agreed a three-year deal with pizza takeaway firm Papa John's to sponsor the EFL Trophy.

The competition, which will now be known as the Papa John's Trophy, was sponsored by car leasing company Leasing.com last season.

Leasing.com had initially agreed a three-year deal with the EFL to sponsor the competition in August 2019.

Papa John's will also become the "official pizza of the EFL".

My favourite story of the day...

Manchester United

Manchester United will use "more or less the same squad" as Saturday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea for tonight's visit of Leipzig, said boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Strikers Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford and midfielder Bruno Fernandes are available.

"There are a couple of doubts and knocks," said Solskjaer.

Cavani, who signed for United on transfer deadline day, made his first appearance for Solskjaer's side against Chelsea, almost scoring with his first touch of the game.

Anthony Martial, who scored an own goal in United's first group match against PSG, could return.

Alex Telles, who made his debut at left-back last week, and 22-year-old defender Axel Tuanzebe could feature after impressive performances.

Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard are the only players who will definitely not feature.

Entertainment data company Gracenote say Chelsea have an 87% chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Nielsen's Gracenote, said: "Last week's goalless draw against group favourites Sevilla was made into an even better result for Chelsea when the two outsiders in the group, Stade Rennais and FC Krasnodar, drew.

"Even after one match, Sevilla and Chelsea both look highly likely to participate in the last 16 next year. Chelsea now have 87% chance of progress according to the Euro Club Index, , externalup slightly on last week."

Image source, Gracenote

Get involved and send us your thoughts. What do you think Chelsea and Manchester United's chances are in the Champions League this season?

Paris St-Germain

There is an early kick-off in Group H, which Manchester United are in.

Plenty of Premier League interest as Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir host Ligue 1 winners PSG.

Former United right-back Rafael and ex-Liverpool centre-half Martin Skrtel start for Basaksehir, while Ander Herrera and Angel di Maria make the XI for Thomas Tuchel's men.

On-loan Everton man Moise Kean has seen his fortunes transformed, not getting a look-in for the Toffees but now leading the line for PSG with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe also in.

Chelsea

Chelsea fans will get their first chance to see Hakim Ziyech from the start tonight in what looks like an attacking team.

Antonio Rudiger replaces the rested Thiago Silva in defence as Chelsea go back to a back four.

Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Chilwell; Jorginho, Kovacic; Hudson-Odoi, Havertz, Ziyech; Werner

Krasnodar, playing their first ever home game in the Champions League, recall 34-year-old striker Marcus Berg, who was linked with a Premier League move more times than most.

They make three changes from the side beaten by Spartak Moscow at the weekend. Very keen Arsenal fans may remember the name of Kristoffer Olsson, who never played for the Gunners in the league but was there as a youth. He also starts.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says he has a "positive relationship" with defender Antonio Rudiger.

Germany international Rudiger is in the side tonight but he has been left out of the squad for six out of the Blues' seven games this season.

Rudiger has also started all five of Germany's matches this year.

"I've had discussions. Sometimes players are out of the squad but he is very much in contention," said Lampard.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The coronavirus pandemic has denied us the chance to see Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi for the first time in two years.

The pair were set to go head-to-head tonight with Juventus taking on Barcelona, but Ronaldo has been left out of the Juve squad.

The 35-year-old has been self-isolating since a positive result for the virus on 13 October, and had another test before tonight's match.

Juventus would not comment on whether he tested positive again, but Ronaldo said he was "feeling healthy" on social media and then lambasted the PCR test. The result from a PCR test reveals whether someone currently has the virus or not.

Chelsea

Antonio Rudiger is handed his first start of the season by Chelsea as Frank Lampard makes four changes from the bore draw at Old Trafford.

Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech also start. It's Ziyech's first start since his move from Ajax.

Full team news to follow.

There's eight games in total tonight, with teams from groups E, F, G and H in action. But we'll be focusing on Chelsea and Manchester United, along with the showdown between Juventus and Barcelona.

We'll also keep you updated with how Paris St-Germain - who are in Manchester United's group - and Borussia Dortmund are getting on.

FK Krasnodar v Chelsea (17:55 GMT)

Istanbul Basaksehir v Paris St-Germain (17:55 GMT)

Borussia Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg (20:00 GMT)

Juventus v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)

Manchester United v RB Leipzig (20:00 GMT)

Champions League time!

The best of the best. Cream of the crop. Lionel Messi, Timo Werner, Marcus Rashford etc.

Chelsea are on the road in Europe tonight, while Manchester United are at Old Trafford hoping to build on their impressive victory over Paris St-Germain.

Cristiano Ronaldo may have to miss out but Juventus v Barcelona promises to be another good tie.

Here's what we've got coming up...

Image source, Getty Images