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UEFA Champions League: Benfica-Barcelona headlines Match Day Two

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FC Barcelona have yet to drop a point in league play or in Champions League, but they should face a good challenge from Portuguese power Benfica in the most high-profile match of UEFA Champions League Match Day Two.

Benfica came into the group stages as the favorite to join Barcelona as the qualifiers out of Group G, but a draw vs. Celtic in their group stage opener has the Portuguese outfit heading into today's home tilt vs. Barcelona needing a win to avoid solidify their standing as one of the favorites to advance.

Spartak Moscow came close to pulling off the upset against Barcelona on Match Day One, but they fell short and now face a very important home tilt against Celtic (Noon, Fox Soccer Channel). Anything but a win would leave Spartak in trouble, and would leave Celtic suddenly feeling optimistic about their chances of advancing out of the group stage, particularly if they can grab all three points in Moscow.

If you are looking for an exciting game to watch today, look no further than Turin, where Juventus take on Shakhtar Donetsk. Juve is coming off a dramatic comeback draw against Chelsea in their opening match, while Shaktar Donetsk comes in off a 2-0 drubbing of Nordsjaelland. Playmaker Willian spearheads the Ukrainian side's attack, and he will face a great challenge from Juve midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio.

Michael Parkhurst is the lone American in action today, and he and Nordsjaelland will look to pull off the upset against Chelsea. Parkhurst could find himself matched up against Belgian speedster Eden Hazard as the Danish champions look to erase the memories of a disappointing loss in Donetsk.

Here is a rundown of today's UEFA Champions League schedule and TV info:

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY TWO

Noon- Fox Soccer Channel– Spartak Moscow vs. Celtic

2:45pm- Fox Soccer Channel–  CFR Cluj vs. Manchester United

2:45pm- Fox Soccer Plus– Nordsjaelland vs. Chelsea

2:45pm- MSG Plus/Fox Sports Net/Fox Deportes– Benfica vs. FC Barcelona

2:45pm- DirecTV/FoxSoccer2Go– BATE Borisov vs. Bayern Munich- DirecTV

2:45pm- DirecTV/FoxSoccer2Go– Galatasaray vs. Sporting Braga

2:45pm- DirecTV/FoxSoccer2Go– Juventus vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

2:45pm- DirecTV/FoxSoccer2Go– Valencia vs. Lille

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Which match-up are you most looking forward to watching? Think Benfica can knock off Barcelona? See Manchester United or Chelsea having trouble today?

Share your thoughts below. 

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