Champions League: Bank on goals when the holders arrive at Anfield

Expect goals in what should be a fantastic atmosphere at Anfield when Liverpool host European champions Real Madrid

It's round three of the Champions League group stage with some key matches taking place, so our man James Horncastle has selected five recommended wagers for you to consider from the midweek aciton...

Sinning Dortmund welcomed to hell

"We played a kind of football which is absolutely pointless," Jurgen Klopp complained after Dortmund's 2-1 loss to Cologne.

It was Die Schwarzgelben's fifth defeat in eight league games making this their worst start to a Bundesliga season since 1971. The returns of Ilkay Gundogan, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan made no difference as inexplicable mistakes from World Cup winners Mats Hummels and Roman Weidenfeller gifted the promoted Billy Goats victory.

The market remains confident however that Dortmund can maintain their 100% record in the Champions League on Wednesday. The exchange has them at 1.855/6 to beat Galatasaray in Istanbul.

After a poor start under former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, the Aslan have put together three consecutive wins in the Super Lig, including one against Fenerbahce in the derby on Saturday. Late stunners from Wesley Sneijder clinched victory. His moments of individual brilliance masked another unconvincing collective display, but Galatasaray are growing in confidence at a time when it's low at Dortmund.

If the Germans are not in hell already, expect their Turkish hosts to welcome them there. Can Prandelli's men compound the Klopp crisis? The draw looks attractive at 3.953/1.

Recommended Bet
Back The Draw @ 3.953/1

Schalke solid under Di Matteo

After disappearing on gardening leave, Roberto Di Matteo returns to the competition he improbably won as manager of Chelsea. Of course, how and where he accomplished that incredible feat, landing the Holy Grail for owner Roman Abramovich, made him a popular appointment for another set of Blues as that triumph came against one of Schalke's fierce rivals, Bayern in Munich three years ago.

The Swiss-Italian has made a good impression in Gelsenkirchen over the last fortnight. The Bild called Schalke a "Royal Blue Chelsea" after they claimed an assured 2-0 win against Hertha Berlin on Di Matteo's debut. Only their second clean sheet of the season, he has brought a cool, defensive solidity to a hot-headed club that too often lets the passion at the Veltins Arena get to its players. Back Schalke to record a clean sheet upon Sporting's visit to the Ruhr at 2.747/4.

Recommended Bet
Back Schalke Clean Sheet @ 2.747/4

Underestimate Roma at your peril

"Roma are actually the best Italian team," announced Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the eve of Bayern's visit to the Stadio Olimpico. That's not hyperbole either. Even though Roma lost 3-2 to Juventus in a top of the table clash before the international break, the consensus is they are at the same level.

Coach Rudi Garcia has even gone so far as claim that the result, conditioned by refereeing mistakes, showed Roma to be superior. In contrast with Juventus, they have so far been better able to translate their form and style of play in Serie A to the Champions League where they obliterated CSKA Moscow 5-1 and perhaps deserved more than to draw 1-1 away at Man City.

This won't be easy for Bayern even if they signed Roma's best defender Mehdi Benatia at the end of the transfer window. Kostas Manolas has ensured his absence hasn't been felt. Solid defensively, the Giallorossi have one of the best midfields in Europe and an elastic attack with Francesco Totti pulling back his bow and releasing arrows like Gervinho and Juan Manuel Iturbe. Their duel with Arjen Robben and possibly a returning Franck Ribery will be fascinating.

Roma came back from 2-0 down to beat Bayern 3-2 on their last visit to the capital in 2010. Repeating that would be some exploit against a much better Bayern team. Still they have what it takes to spring a surprise. Back the draw at 3.814/5.

Recommended Bet
Back The Draw @ 3.814/5

Real to rock Anfield

Luis Suarez will face Real Madrid this week. Unfortunately, it'll be to make his debut for Barcelona on Saturday in the Clasico and not for Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. The Reds aren't the same force in his absence and remain a work in progress. It's a shame because it would have been a treat to see how last season's Liverpool competed against the champions of Europe.

Unconvincing against Ludogorets, beaten by Basel and bereft of one of their principal difference makers Daniel Sturridge, even if he were available, the errors at the back would no doubt continue to offset the good Brendan Rodgers' team do going forward.

This game should have plenty of goals. Real have struck 25 in their last five league matches and while an away trip in the Champions League will bring more caution backing this to finish over 3.5 goals at 2.588/5 has an appeal.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.588/5

An end to Athens hurt for the Old Lady

For Juventus fans of a certain age, Athens brings the unpleasant memory of the 1983 European Cup final when a long-range strike from Hamburg's Felix Magath denied the Old Lady the trophy she so coveted.

The shadow of Magath still lingers over Wednesday's trip to Olympiakos. Remember he loaned Kostas Mitroglou back to Piraeus from Fulham at the beginning of the season. Prolific in this competition a year ago, he got the winner in a shock 3-2 victory over last year's finalists Atletico at the Karaiskaki and has three goals in four games in the league.

Unable to translate their domestic dominance to the continent Juventus have drawn on their travels to Nordsjaelland, FK Copenhagen and lost to Galatasaray in the last couple of years. They were also held by bottom of the table Sassuolo on Saturday, ending their six-game winning streak in Serie A.

Beaten by Atletico last time out, Juventus need a win. With Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez in-form and a fresh Arturo Vidal, they should have enough to do just that. Back the win at 2.226/5.

Recommended Bet
Back Juventus to Win @ 2.226/5

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