Champions League: Mandzukic the man for Bayern

Mario Mandzukic has already been in prolific form this season
Christian Crowther expects Bayern Munich to banish the ghost of May with a winning start against Valencia...
Bayern Munich v Valencia, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports Red Button, Match Odds: Bayern Munich 1.4740/85, Valencia 8.415/2, The Draw 4.84/1
Heartbreak doesn't come wrapped in much crueller packages than it did for last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich who lost on penalties in their own stadium.
Thankfully for Bayern supporters, the footballing calendar does not afford much time to dwell on defeat as this gifted group of players now get the chance to shine again.
They will once again harbour high hopes of reaching the concluding stages of this competition, after two final appearances in three seasons, with a squad which has also been vastly strengthened.
Croatia's Euro 2012 star Mario Mandzukic arrived from Wolfsburg, joined by other marquee signings Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao and highly rated 20-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri from Basel, which only serves to increase their chances of righting the wrongs of last season.
Ironically, Valencia were the opponents the last time Bayern tasted the sugary sweetness of Champions League success, courtesy of another penalty shootout back in 2001.
New Valencia boss Mauricio Pellegrino does have Champions League experience as part of Rafa Benitez's coaching staff at Liverpool but his side have started poorly in La Liga, winning just one out of their first four game games.
And as Opta inform us, getting anything at the Allianz Arena will be extremely tough given that Bayern won six out of their seven games there in last season's competition, scoring 20 goals in the process.
To score
Since arriving for a cool €13 million from Wolfsburg, Mandzukic has quickly made his mark at Germany's goliaths. The Croat has notched in all three of Bayern's Bundesliga outings so far this term, proving to be an extremely valuable asset in Mario Gomez's enforced absence through injury.
Bayern Total Goals
Bayern have started their domestic campaign in foreboding fashion, winning all four of their games and scoring at least three goals in three of those.
Their three league games produced no fewer than nine goals in their favour as Gruether Furth, Stuttgart and Mainz have been put to the sword.
Best Bet: Back Mario Mandzukic to score @ 2.265/4
Other Recommended Bet: Back Bayern to score three or more goals @ 2.829/5