Good evening everyone. The Champions League qualifying round continues tonight with five more first-leg matches and we've got an intriguing match for you all to follow as Valencia entertain Monaco at the Mestalla. Monaco reached the quarter-finals last season, while Valencia are back in the competition after a fine La Liga campaign. This could be the tie of the round!

After finishing just a point behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Valencia were unfortunate not to earn a place in the group stage but they proved their quality time and time again last season. Nuno Espirito Santo has built a talented squad which really does look made for the Champions League. They'll be desperate to clinch the advantage at the Mestalla.

Monaco were arguably one of the best stories of last season's Champions League. Owner Dmitry Rybolovlev's decision to spend much less than in previous years forced the club to sell stars prior to the campaign, but they produced a fine campaign to reach the quarter-finals with victory over Arsenal. Juventus blocked their path to the semi-finals, but Leonardo Jardim's side are hungry to repeat that success after clinching third spot in Ligue 1.

These supporters are desperate to return to the group stage for the first time in three years.

FANS | Spectacular welcome to the team bus at Mestalla. These fans truly belong to the @ChampionsLeague! #VCFmonaco pic.twitter.com/qE8bwsdaDu

— Valencia CF English (@valenciacf_en) August 19, 2015

VALENCIA: Ryan; Gaya, Vezo, Mustafi, Barragan; Enzo Perez, De Paul, Parejo; Rodrigo, Alcacer, Feghouli

Valencia are without two key men tonight. Goalkeeper Diego Alves is absent, which hands an opportunity to Matthew Ryan and Nicolas Otamendi has also been left out of the squad as he closes in on a move to Manchester City. Sofiane Feghouli and Rodrigo will support Spain international Paco Alcacer in attack.

Santo is fully aware just how important it will be for Valencia to claim a lead tonight. His side are unlikely to stray from their usual style in front of the home fans, who will expect them to take charge of the game from the first whistle. The likes of Enzo Perez and Dani Parejo will be key.

MONACO: Subasic, Raggi, Wallace, Carvalho, Echiejile, Toulalan, Fabinho, Silva, Pasalic, Cavaleiro, Martial

Summer signing Stephan El Shaarawy is not included in the Monaco starting lineup as Anthony Martial gets the nod in the centre of the visiting attack. Bernardo Silva, Ivan Cavaleiro and Mario Pasalic, who is on loan from Chelsea, are all handed starts by Jardim.

Monaco were forced to bid farewell to Geoffrey Kondogbia, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Lucas Ocampos and Dimitar Berbatov in the summer. Can Jardim's side continue to rebuild when their stars leave? For much of last season they were struggling in Ligue 1 before recovering to capitalise on Marseille's collapse. The pressure is on for Jardim to prove he can succeed in Europe and domestically again.

4 - Valencia have progressed from all four of their CL qualifying ties so far (1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007). Experience. — OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 19, 2015

The last time these two sides met in a competitive fixture was in the first round of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1980. Valencia triumphed 5-3 on aggregate. Argentine legend and World Cup winner Mario Kempes scored in both legs.

A quick reminder that you can also follow live text coverage of the first-leg clash between Celtic and Malmo with Sports Mole this evening.

Take a quick look at the two benches below. Plenty of attacking options for both sides.

VALENCIA: Cancelo, Orban, Negredo, Piatti, Yoel, Fuego, Mina

MONACO: Dirar, Carrillo, Coulibaly, Bakayoko, Nardi, El Shaarawy, Toure

Valencia's preparations for this match has been far from ideal. They lost the last five matches of their pre-season schedule ahead of their first competitive outing. Nuno's side do not get their La Liga campaign underway until Saturday, when they visit Rayo Vallecano.

PREDICTION: It is very important for Valencia to take an advantage to next week's second leg in Monaco. For the visitors, an away goal could be huge but they be happy adopt a counter-attacking approach for long spells of the game. I think Valencia will edge it tonight. 2-1 to the hosts.

Just how important could Joao Moutinho's injury be over the two legs. The Portuguese playmaker is out for a month and that really is a huge blow for Monaco, who rely on his creativity and intelligence in the final third of the pitch. As stars continue to leave, Monaco have managed to keep Moutinho. Valencia will certainly be happy that he is not involved.

Mark Clattenburg is the man in the middle tonight. Let's hope we're not talking about his team tonight!

The players are out on the pitch at the Mestalla. We're just a few handshakes away from the action now. Can Valencia extend this record tonight?

20 - Valencia have scored at least one goal in their 20 official games against French teams. Aim — OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 19, 2015

KICKOFF: Valencia are given a great reception by their passionate fans as the hosts get the game underway.

YELLOW CARD! Bernardo Silva picks up a booking just 70 seconds into the tie. Vezo beats the attacker to clear the danger and Silva is punished for catching the defender on the shin.

Monaco had started brightly, but Valencia get forward for the first time as they shift the ball out wide to Feghouli, whose dangerous cross is eventually cleared by Raggi in the six-yard box.

Valencia make the early, and possible crucial, breakthrough. It is dreadful defending from Monaco as a cross to the back post finds Feghouli, who does well to head the ball back across the box. Alcacer and Rodrigo are all alone in the six-yard box and the latter taps home to open the scoring.

Monaco look to hit back immediately as they win a corner and pile the pressure on the home defence. The ball is eventually cleared as far as Cavaleiro, who cuts inside to fire a low effort straight at Ryan.

The visitors send another warning to the Valencia defence. Raggi delivers an excellent cross into the box and Vezo takes a huge risk by leaving the ball at the front post, but Martial does not take the gamble and Ryan collects.

It has been a frantic opening 10 minutes at the Mestalla. Monaco look far from convincing at the back, while neither midfield have been able to retain possession for a long spell as the match continues to be played at a quick pace.

Monaco will be furious that they conceded an early goal because they have looked bright going forward as Cavaleiro sends another inviting cross just beyond Martial, who has struggled to get a touch on the ball in the early stages.

Some of the crossing has been excellent early on. Gaya is the latest to deliver a ball to the back post, where Feghouli is once again in space but his header is cleared ay. The Algerian gets the ball back once again before seeing a dangerous low delivery is cleared. Elderson has been unable to get close to Feghouli.

I would be stunned if there was not more goals tonight. Both teams are showing plenty of attacking intent on the ball and neither defence looks to convincing. Silva allows Valencia to relieve the pressure when he trips Barragan. He might need to be a bit more careful after his early yellow card.

Valencia are just beginning to slow the pace down, but they are being prevented from getting forward by some good pressing for the visitors. A poor tackle from Perez on Cavaleiro hands Monaco a free kick around 35 yards from goal.

Fabinho fancies his chances from 35 yards, but his effort is always sailing over the crossbar. A cross certainly would have been the better option.

The match is finally staring to settle down. Monaco waste two chances to deliver good deliveries when Valencia struggle to clear a corner. The hosts seem to be fully aware that they do not need to take risks, but they will be desperate to add to this lead tonight.

Regular fouls are just starting to affect the rhythm of the match at the Mestalla. It has been scrappy in midfield, but both defences have improved since a dramatic opening period.

A poor pass from Pasalic gifts a corner to Valencia, but the decision to take it short lets the Monaco defence off the hook. Santo will be happy with the lead but he will be keen to see his side make better choices in the final third of the pitch.

CHANCE! Valencia miss a good opportunity to break the deadlock. Martial's header at the near post is a poor one and Mustafi has more time than he thinks before firing the ball over from 12 yards. Valencia needed that to fall to someone else.

Valencia are just a few inches away from doubling the lead. Gaya's cross is delivered into the perfect area, but Alcacer is unable to add the finishing touch and the ball hits Subasic before bouncing to safety.

SAVE! What a stop from Ryan on his debut for Valencia. Perez foolishly gives the ball away in midfield and Monaco come forward with four players. Martial picks the right pass to release Silva, who takes a touch before unleashing a powerful low strike which Ryan pushes against the post. It really is something special from the Australian goalkeeper.

Monaco really need to make the most of this extended spell on top. Jardim's side are dominating possession at the moment and Valencia are really struggling to relieve the pressure. The visitors need to get the ball to Martial, who has been forced to drop deeper on too many occasions.

Raggi, who has been shifted from the centre of defence to right-back tonight, gives Rodrigo far too much room and he is almost punished as Subasic is forced to come off his line to collect a dangerous low cross.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Gaya is caught out of position as Silva finds space on the right wing. Martial meets the cross with a flick which is crossed before firing the rebound into the roof of the net and wheeling away in celebration. The off-side flag goes up immediately and replays prove it was an excellent decision.

Valencia probably will not mid hearing the half-time whistle. Nuno's side are losing possession far too often in the middle of the park, and Feghouli and Rodrigo are being forced to come into deeper positions to get involved in the game. Monaco are certainly improving as the match progresses.

CHANCE! Just as I mentioned that Valencia were struggling, they click into gear with a clever passing move. Parejo finds space to pick out Feghouli, who pulls the back into the perfect area for Alcacer to send a shot over from just inside the box.

Valencia are asking a few more questions in first-half stoppage time, but Rodrigo hesitates on the ball and Carvalho steps in to clear the danger.

A very entertaining first half has come to an end at the Mestalla. Valencia got the better of a frantic opening spell and capitalised on some poor defending to take the lead through Rodrigo. Monaco struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game early on, but they have improved and threatened to equalise on more than one occasion. It's set up for an exciting second 45 minutes.

Time to celebrate: @valenciacf_en #UCL pic.twitter.com/yeO3gWu1IA

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 19, 2015

Jardim will certainly be a frustrated man at the interval. A sloppy start is the reason Monaco are behind and an awful piece of defending could end up having a huge say on this tie. Valencia took their foot off the gas midway through the first half, but they will surely ask more questions as Nuno looks for a commanding first-leg lead. The next goal could be crucial.

I'm not sure if Jardim will be thinking about a change just yet, but El Shaarawy, who can play out wide or as a centre forward, would certainly add a different threat in attack. He may even consider partnering the Italian with Martial, who has showed glimpses of quality tonight. Valencia could turn to Alvaro Negredo at some stage in the second half. The hosts were struggling to retain possession for a long spell, and he certainly would hold up the ball further up the pitch.

No changes at the break from either manager. Valencia will be keen on taking at least one more goal to Monaco, but the visitors have shown that they can threaten the home defence. It could be a very interesting 45 minutes.

Poor from Gaya as Valencia win the ball in midfield before breaking with the full-back, whose cross to the back post is too strong for Feghouli. The hosts keep the move alive and Feghouli wins a corner.

Chelsea loanee Pasalic equalises to secure a huge away goal for Monaco, but most of the credit should go to Martial. The forward drifts out wide to beat a couple of Valencia defenders with a superb piece of skill before delivering a dangerous low cross. Vezo gets a touch on the ball, but it drops to Pasalic, who fires past a helpless Ryan.

Gaya is a lucky boy. He certainly catches Silva with a late kick and replays show it was a bit naughty from the Valencia defender. Luckily for him, the officials did not see the incident.

It looks like Jardim may have made a slight change at the break, with Martial and Cavaliero appearing to have been given more license to swap positions early in the second half. Both players have popped up out wide and in central positions.

SAVE! Monaco are full of confidence now as they work the ball nicely to find space for Martial, whose curling effort is pushed away by Ryan. Valencia cannot afford to concede another away goal.

SUB! Nuno responds to a worrying start to the second half by making his first change as Pablo Piatti comes off the bench to replace De Paul, who struggled to get involved.

YELLOW CARD! Another promising Monaco attack comes to an end when Martial's cross is cut out at the front post. Pasalic brings down Perez to halt the break and pick up a yellow card.

Valencia retake the lead against the run of play! Barrigan delivers a deep cross to the back post and Piatti does well to volley the ball back to Parejo, who keeps his composure to fire home via a deflection off Wallace. Can Monaco hit back again?

Jardim will be hopeful that goal does not Monaco's confidence too much. The visitors have certainly been the better side since the break and they are still in a good position thanks to the away goal. A 2-2 draw would be a fantastic result for them tonight.

SUB! Cavaleiro has only showed glimpses of what he can do tonight and his night comes to an end just after the hour mark. Moroccan winger Nabil Dirar is his replacement.

YELLOW CARD! Silva's free kick into the box is cleared by Mustafi and the pressure on Valencia is relieved when Dirar leads with the elbow to catch Piatti. The Valencia fans are not happy with the Monaco substitute. It really was a poor challenge.

SUB! The changes keep on coming as Nuno removes Alcacer to bring on Javi Fuego in midfield. That move is likely to see Rodrigo become Valencia's central striker.

Valencia threaten with some more excellent wing play. Gaya creates space for himself on the left before deliver a deep cross which Subasic gets nowhere close to in the danger zone. Elderson does well to clear under pressure from Feghouli at the back post.

SAVE! The cameras must be on Ryan. A cross to the back post somehow manages to get through to Silva, whose tame header really should be caught but the Australian pushes the ball away from danger.

Monaco should have a penalty! It is an awful moment for the English officials. Martial refuses to lose the ball at the end of a long run and he forces his way into the box with a clever turn. Gaya foolishly trips the forward from behind, but the referee and the assistant behind the goal, who has the perfect view, both fail to give the penalty. That is harsh on the visitors.

CHANCE! Monaco appear to be tiring in midfield as Valencia break forward in numbers. A cross is pulled back into the path of Parejo once again, but he can only send a shot wide.

SUBS! Changes for both managers as Nuno brings on Fares Bahlouli to replace Pasalic. Perez appears to have picked up a knock and he makes way for Negredo. Rodrigo will move back out wide now.

YELLOW CARD! The impressive Martial finds Silva, whose invites a foul from Mustafi. Mark Clattenburg is quick to show the yellow card to the Valencia defender. Monaco then make their final change as El Shaarawy replaces Silva

Monaco have 10 minutes plus stoppage time to avoid defeat in the first leg. In truth, this is not a bad result to take home for the second half of this tie. A goal for either side in the closing stages could have a huge impact.

Coaches and players from both benches are furious with the referee when Dirar appears to catch Gaya with a couple of kicks while the Valencia defender is on the ground close to the touchline. It is all over pretty quickly, but Dirar, who is already on a yellow card, can count himself lucky.

YELLOW CARD! The yellow card is out of the pocket again when Rodrigo halts a Monaco break in midfield. Frequent fouls have affected the rhythm of this match since Valencia went ahead for the second time.

El Shaarawy has barely had a kick since coming on, and his latest touch is not a memorable one either as he slices a speculative volley wide.

How big could this goal be? Valencia have not always been at their best tonight but they are set to take a two-goal lead back to Monaco for the second leg. A corner causes problems for Monaco and after the ball bounces loose in the box, Feghouli displays great composure to pick out the bottom corner with a half-volley. Excellent finish from the Algerian.

YELLOW CARD! Parejo can count himself very unlucky after appearing to take the ball with a fine sliding tackle on Toulalan. The referee appears to have got that one wrong.

Dirar has not covered himself in glory since coming on. He could have picked up a second yellow card earlier and he invites jeers from the home crowds again when he goes down in the box without being touched by Gaya.

The fourth official confirms there will be four minutes added on as Monaco start to apply pressure once again.

Ryan is confident he has his angles right as Martial opens up his body on the edge of the box to curl a deflected effort just past the post. A free kick lets Valencia off the hook when the corner is delivered.

YELLOW CARD! Valencia are furious when Piatti holds his face after being caught. In truth, there wasn't much contact but Raggi is still booked. Feghouli joins him in the book when he takes his protests too far.

It has not been a very convincing from Subasic. His reluctance to come too far off his line allows Negredo to head over from a free kick.

It is Valencia who take charge of this qualifying tie at the halfway stage. Monaco probably did not deserve to lose by two goals this evening, but a couple of fine finishes from Parejo and Feghouli have given the La Liga side the advantage ahead of next week's second leg.

That's all from our live coverage this evening. Thanks for joining us and make sure you keep an eye out for analysis and player ratings. Goodnight.