Bump for the KOs that start today (home side listed first):
Ajax Amsterdam vs. FC Union Berlin
12:45 PM
Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Barcelona vs. Manchester United
12:45 PM
Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
FC Salzburg vs. AS Roma
12:45 PM
Red Bull Arena Salzburg, Wals bei Salzburg, Austria
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Stade Rennais
12:45 PM
Stadion Legii Warszawa im. Jozefa Pilsudskiego, Warsaw, Poland
Bayer Leverkusen vs. AS Monaco
3:00 PM
BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
Juventus vs. Nantes
3:00 PM
Allianz Stadium, Torino, Italy
Sevilla vs. PSV Eindhoven
3:00 PM
Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla, Spain
Sporting CP vs. FC Midtjylland
3:00 PM
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
UEL favorites Sevilla headline the action today. They're a terrible side in terrible form at the moment, but doubt their UEL performances at your peril. PSV are currently 4th in Holland.S
More seriously, some terrific matchups today. The headliner for me is Barca vs. MANU. 2 giant clubs that are starting to find their way out of the wilderness get to compete in a high profile matchup with relatively low stakes. This one has the potential to be lots of fun.
Ajax currently sit 3rd in a competitive Eredivisie this season. They're led by young star Brian Brobbey and Dutch NT players Bergwijn and Berghuis. Monaco are also having a good season, sitting in a competitive 3rd position in Ligue 1. Ben Yedder and Embolo have stood out for them this year.
Salzburg sits atop the table in Austria, while Roma are clinging to 4th with Milan and Lazio hot on their heels.
No idea what Shakhtar are doing domestically, but good for them regardless. So sad that this match is forced to be held in Poland. Rennais sit 6th, very close to 5th, but likely too far down to catch a top 4 spot in France this season.
Leverkusen are struggling this season and sit midtable. Monaco are currently 3rd and look pretty good for a top 4 finish.
Juve are currently making shady deals to avoid FFP, and are probably more focused on getting the Superleague off the ground than anything else. Nantes are in 13th!
Sporting are currently in 4th, but closer to 5th than 3rd. Mdtjylland is based in Scandanavia, probably.