Champions League preview

Defending champions Chelsea, Manchester United and Celtic all take the stage as their respective UEFA Champions League groups get underway on Wednesday night.

Arsenal and Manchester City, the other British clubs involved in this season’s competition, had mixed fortunes when the group stage kicked off on Tuesday, with the Gunners claiming an opening win while City faltered.

The action continues live on Sky Sports, with all eight games available to watch as Groups E through to H enter the fray.

Holders Chelsea start their title defence by welcoming two-time winners Juventus to Stamford Bridge, with the Italian giants unbeaten in a remarkable 42 Serie A games.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men are bidding to do what no other side has done and lift back-to-back titles this season.

In the other Group E game, Danish Superliga winners FC Nordsjaelland travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk, who are looking to better their group-stage exit last season.

Manchester United begin a record 17th consecutive campaign at home to Turkish champions Galatasaray, who will be out to cause upset at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear he does not want a repeat performance of last season, when the Red Devils failed to make it to the knockout rounds.

Their other opponents in Group H, Braga and CFR Cluj, go head-to-head in Portugal as the Romanian side embark on their third Champions League appearance in five years.

Celtic start their Group G campaign at home to Turkish visitors Benfica as they return to the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in four years.

Neil Lennon’s side are the underdogs in a tough pool but will hope to start brightly in front of the Parkhead crowd.

In the group’s remaining game, Primera Liga giants and four-time winners Barcelona host Russian heavyweights Spartak Moscow at Camp Nou.

Last year’s runners-up Bayern Munich, who lost on home soil to Chelsea in last season’s final, host Primera Liga side Valencia at the Allianz Arena in Group F.

The other game in that pool sees Ligue 1 side Lille entertain Belarusian outfit BATE Borisov after falling at the first hurdle last term.