Benfica vs. AS Monaco, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Time, TV schedule and game preview

Benfica were expected to experience a minor downturn after some big summer sales, but their performance in the UEFA Champions League has been disappointing to date. They lost their only home match to Zenit St. Petersburg and fell to Bayer Leverkusen on the road.

While they enter the second half of the group stage with just one point, that point did come away to their opponents on Tuesday, AS Monaco. While the Ligue 1 runners-up have done well to grab wins from their other two group opponents, they’re missing out on the top spot at the moment because of that lackluster home performance.

To this point, Monaco have struggled to score. While they have five points, it’s their defense that’s done all the work. The Red and Whites have only one goal so far, but have kept three consecutive clean sheets. Can Benfica -- who also only have one goal to this point -- buck recent trends at home?

Key player - Talisca (Benfica)

While he’s yet to score in this competition, Benfica second striker Talisca has been their star domestically. He has eight goals in nine Primeira Liga appearances, and it’s his heroics that have the Eagles on top of that league. Line-leading strikers Lima and Derley haven’t been any more effective domestically than they have been in Champions League -- they have just three goals in their 15 combined appearances.

Key matchup - Joao Moutinho vs. Benfica’s midfielders

If Monaco are going to create anything, it’s probably going to come from midfield playmaker Joao Moutinho. But Enzo Perez is a pressing machine in the center for Benfica, but they’ve yet to find a nailed-down starter from their rotating cast of defensive midfielders. Perez can deny Moutinho time, but whoever partners him will have to make sure there aren’t easy lanes for the Monaco man to pass into.

Benfica injuries and suspensions

Out: Lisandro Lopez (suspended), Eliseu (toe), Silvio (leg). In doubt: Nico Gaitan (back), Jardel (thigh), Ola John (thigh)

Monaco injuries and suspensions

Out: Dimitar Berbatov (groin), Borja Lopez (knee). In doubt: None.

Because Benfica didn’t have any traveling to do, they didn’t have to name a squad, so there won’t be any good information on their in doubt players until the lineups are announced. Monaco’s scoring woes might be cured by Dimitar Berbatov, but he remains out of action.

Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

TV: Fox Soccer Plus, Directv (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), beIN Sports 1 (France), TVI (Portugal)

Online: ESPN3, Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K), beIN Sports Connect (France).