The Champions League kick-off on Tuesday as the group stages get underway as Chelsea and Manchester United make their returns to the world’s most important club competition.

Premier League champions Chelsea enter European action for the first time under Antonio Conte, and they welcome Azerbaijan champions Qarabag – who have made this stage for the first time in their history – to Stamford Bridge.

Conte fully intends on utilising his squad for this game, something which he insists he has to do.

“I must be realistic, I must be calm, to make the best decision for these seven games. It’s normal when you have to play seven games in 21 days to rotate my players. I’m very calm about this because I trust my players,” confirmed the Italian.

United spent last season in the Europa League, which they won – but they are now back at the top table of European football and they will be hopeful of beginning with victory as they host Basel at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, like Conte, will be making changes with Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling replacing the suspended pair of Phil Jones and Eric Bailly, saying: “Even if [Eric] Bailly and [Phil] Jones were not suspended, probably I would still play Lindelof and Smalling. They are at the same level, they are just different players.”

Scottish champions Celtic are also at home and they face what is now one of the most daunting tasks in European football as their visitors at Paris Saint Germain, who include the world most expensive player Neymar and the man who will be the second most expensive signing in Kylian Mbappe.

Celtic chief Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to face a team, considered one of the favourites to land the title.

“We fought so hard to get into the competition, so we can go on and make progress. Home games can be very important for us. We are facing a huge opponent but we are excited by it. We won’t be overawed by it,” said Rodgers.

“It’s brilliant, it will be a really exciting night. With the level of player PSG have, it leaves a big focus on some of their outstanding individuals. It’s great to be involved in it.”

Away from the British sides, there are some brilliant looking games and non more so than Barcelona playing host to Juventus at the Nou Camp.

Roma entertain Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich take on Anderlecht, Benfica host CSKA Moscow and Olympiakos take on Sporting Lisbon.

See below for a run-down on the game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder and GamblingTimes.com columnist Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey  together with everything you need to know from the bookies – with BoyleSports’s Leon Blanche.

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning, and take advantage of your £20 cashback only with TheGamblingTimes.

Chelsea 19:45 Qarabag

Stamford Bridge

TEAM NEWS: Chelsea are set to make a number of changes for the game, whilst Qarabag have a near fully fit squad with only left-back Ansi Agolli unavailable due to a groin injury
KEY FACT: Chelsea’s first meeting with Azerbaijani opponents
MATCH ODDS: Chelsea 1/7 Draw 13/2 Qarabg 20/1
ANDY SAYS: Yeah an easy victory for Chelsea in this one…3-0
GRAEME SAYS: Comfortable win for Chelsea to open up their campaign…3-0
SILKY SAYS:  Chelsea could win be whatever score they want, easy…4-0
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Alvaro Morata first or last goal @ 9/4
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Cesc Fabregas could be an interesting option could see a lot of playing time in the Champions League

Man United 19:45 Basel
Old Trafford

TEAM NEWS: United will be making changes with Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling replacing suspended duo Eric Bailly and Phil Jones. Ivorian midfielder Serey Die is sidelined for Basel.
KEY FACT: Basel without a win in eight European games
MATCH ODDS: Man Utd 2/9 Draw 9/2 Basel 14/1
ANDY SAYS: I don’t see United having too much trouble in this one…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: I just can’t see Basel getting anywhere near United in this one…4-1
SILKY SAYS:  Comfortable for United, they will win easily again for me…3-0
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Man Utd to win 3-0 @ 11/2
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: At just under £1.50 Victor Lindelof is an interesting prospect and he will be playing in United’s opener

Celtic 19:45 Paris Saint Germain
Celtic Park

TEAM NEWS: Leigh Griffiths is available again for Celtic, but Moussa Dembele, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko will not make the game
KEY FACT: Celtic have won two of last six European home games
MATCH ODDS: Celtic 14/1 Draw 11/2 PSG 1/5
ANDY SAYS: I think PSG will get the win, won’t be walk-over though…0-2
GRAEME SAYS: A really tough one for Celtic, can’t see PSG not winning but they will find it tough…1-2
SILKY SAYS:  PSG will be too good for Celtic, can’t see them getting near them to be honest…0-3
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Celtic +2 @ 13/10
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Kylian Mbappe is still under £4 and not in the top-ten – would still be an amazing investment for anyone

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning, and take advantage of your £20 cashback only with TheGamblingTimes.