Evening all – it’s time for some Champions League action! By reaching this page I’m told you’re interested in all things Barcelona v Sporting, so let’s crack on. Kick-off at 7.45pm – live updates here throughout!

Surely too early to talk of another Barca 0-0 in the Champions League? But now I can't help but think about it. Surely not a third...

First yellow of the evening as Alan Ruiz goes in veeery late on Pique. That's what you call a striker's challenge.

Sooo. Almost half an hour gone. Barca upping the ante but in the final third, it's not quite happening. Still, Sporting look a million miles from scoring right now.

GOOD SAVE! That's the Suarez we all know and (some of us) love. From nothing he just ghosts past his man but from a narrow angle Rui Patricio sticks out his leg to make a smart stop.

Handball? Nothing is given as Digne appears to bring the ball down with a bit of chest and arm inside his own area... bit risky but perhaps would have been a tad harsh.

JUST WIDE! Sporting are living dangerously here and not helping themselves at times. Carvalho is sloppy in possession and Andre Gomes nips in before flashing a low effort narrowly wide of the near post.

OVER! Suarez with the ball out wide, perhaps not where you want him in a game like this in Messi's absence, but he does manage to pick out Vidal in the middle, who blasts an effort from the edge of the area well over.

Ball over the top for Bruno Cesar and it's a tidy touch too, but alas the flag goes up for offside. As you were.

Not very often have I blogged a Barca game without reporting a chance of note after 16 minutes played, but the reality is, they have been slow off the mark. No doubt that will change...

The bad news for Sporting is that Juventus have taken the lead at Olympiakos. Even if they do win here, as it stands, that will not be enough...

Again it's Vidal out side for Barca, but his cross is intercepted by Piccini, who is in the right place at the right time!

A couple of deep crosses from Barca looking for Suarez in the middle. Not entirely what we're used to seeing...

CLOSE! It's the first warning sign for Sporting as Suarez gets round the back of the defender but sees his low cross back across the six yard sail past everyone.

Sporting drive forward and look to get in behind the Barca defence, but after it's played out wide by Acuna, he can't find a man in green and white.

Sluggish start at the Nou Camp in truth, but having made eight changes, it could take this Barca side a while to get used to their surroundings.

Good to see Mathieu back at his old stomping ground tonight. Just as I say that he gives away the ball near his own box but the hosts are almost so shocked they cannot fashion a chance.

Onimous start from Barca on their first attack. Suarez starts it off but VIdal can't quite pick out a team-mate with his cross.

There goes the whistle, and we're off - a few minutes later than we should be. Do or die for Sporting. Believe it or not, the first goal is crucial!

Teams are out then. Time for that familiar anthem before we get going at the Nou Camp!

Barca are unbeaten in their last 23 home matches in the Champions League, while Sporting have failed to win any of their 11 games away to Spanish opponents. In a must-win match, the odds are stacked against the Portuguese side.

Sporting are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run ahead of their trip to the Nou Camp. Most recently, their 1-0 win on Friday against Belenenses saw them move level at the top of the Primeira Liga along with Porto, who drew 0-0 at home with Benfica on the same night.