Champions League Tips: Don't trust Dortmund decline

Rumours of Dortmund's demise are greatly exaggerated

Michael Lintorn still has faith in Borussia Dortmund, while also fancying Olympiacos to avoid defeat...

(All games are at 19:45 on Wednesday on Sky Sports Red Button)

Galatasaray v Borussia Dortmund

Match Odds: Galatasaray 4.67/2, Borussia Dortmund 1.875/6, The Draw 3.9n/a

2012/13 finalists Borussia Dortmund are having a grim time in the Bundesliga so far this term, taking a mere point from their previous five matches to sit three shy of rock bottom Werder Bremen with just under a quarter of the season complete.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Anderlecht and now Galatasaray, the malaise doesn't seem to be having an adverse effect on their Champions League progress. They delivered 2-0 and 3-0 wins over the first two of that trio, despite entering the latter fresh from domestic disappointment to rivals Schalke.

Galatasaray were Group D's least impressive performers in the opening two rounds, being held at home by Anderlecht and savaged 1-4 at Arsenal. They have triumphed in just two of their past ten Champions League encounters, and none of the most recent four, so expect Dortmund to prosper.

Recommended Bet: Back Borussia Dortmund to win @ 1.875/6

Ludogorets v Basel

Match Odds: Ludogorets 2.915/8, Basel 2.747/4, The Draw 3.3512/5

Liverpool's lacklustre start to the campaign will have increased both of these sides' optimism about getting through the knockout phase or at the very least earning the Europa League consolation prize. Specialists in Premier League team-disposal Basel have already conquered the Reds, while Ludogorets were despairingly close to a point at Anfield, so this double header has plenty at stake.

A feat that the unheralded duo share is that of having struck in all of their Group B contests to date. They have kept only one clean sheet across a combined four attempts too, so both teams to score appears to be a smart play. That bet paid out in eight of Ludogorets' last nine fixtures.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.9210/11

Olympiacos v Juventus

Match Odds: Olympiacos 4.57/2, Juventus 2.021/1, The Draw 3.55/2

Juventus have handled the transition from Antonio Conte - the coach who picked the club up off the floor and guided them to three Serie A scudetti in a row - to Max Allegri surprisingly well, winning seven of the former AC Milan coach's nine games in charge.

However, some cracks have emerged lately with successive away setbacks, a 0-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid and a 1-1 draw at lowly Sassuolo, and they are winless in five Champions League road trips, losing four of those. By contrast, Olympiacos have won six in seven as hosts in the competition, with Arsenal, Man United and Atletico Madrid among those to leave the Karaiskakis Stadium pointless.

Recommended Bet: Lay Juventus to win @ 2.0421/20