Champions League Tips: Former Chelsea boss to falter

Roberto Di Matteo's previous Champions League campaign ended in the group stage with Chelsea in 2012/13

Roberto Di Matteo won't win his first Champions League match at Schalke, argues Michael Lintorn...

(All games start at 19:45 on Tuesday)

Barcelona v Ajax (Sky Sports 5)
Match Odds: Barcelona 1.152/13, Ajax 27.026/1, The Draw 10.09/1

Barcelona have experienced two away hiccups since Luis Enrique took charge in the summer - a 0-0 draw at Malaga and a 2-3 defeat at Paris St-Germain, but everything has gone smoothly at home. Five games, five victories, 15 goals for (an average of three per game) and none against (an average of zero!).

Ajax arrive at the Camp Nou dispirited by a trio of disappointing draws against APOEL Nicosia, Zwolle and to a lesser extent FC Twente and their Champions League road record won't improve morale. They were kept quiet in five of their last ten such fixtures, including a 0-3 loss at Real Madrid and 0-4 reverse at Barcelona.

Recommended Bet
Back Barcelona to win to nil @ 1.748/11

Roma v Bayern Munich (Sky Sports 1)
Match Odds: Roma 3.953/1, Bayern Munich 2.0621/20, The Draw 3.814/5

This looks like the standout contest of Champions League matchday three. Not only is there a cast of great players, but both teams are in magnificent form, with Bayern Munich winning five in a row and Roma failing to prevail just twice in nine attempts this season - away to Man City and Juventus.

It should also be a gripping spectacle because Roma haven't fired a single blank yet in 2014/15 and also haven't shut out a Champions League opponent in ten attempts. Real Madrid are the sole side whose defence Bayern have proven incapable of unlocking in their past 20 continental encounters.

Recommended Bet
Back both teams to score @ 1.738/11

Schalke v Sporting Lisbon (Sky Sports Red Button)
Match Odds: Schalke 1.9720/21, Sporting Lisbon 4.47/2, The Draw 3.711/4

Roberto Di Matteo enjoyed a 2-0 triumph over Sporting Lisbon in his first match as Schalke boss, though anyone who has tracked the club's recent fortunes will be aware that Gelsenkirchen is where momentum - both positive and negative - goes to die. Their lack of consistency is evidenced by the fact that they haven't won, drawn or lost more than two in a row since February 15.

However, the date determining this column's recommendation for this clash is four days earlier - February 11 - because that was the last time that Sporting Lisbon were beaten on their travels. They have played away 12 times since, winning seven and drawing five. Contrast that with Schalke's figures in their previous 11 Champions League home ties (W3 D4 L4) and you have your bet.

Recommended Bet
Lay Schalke to win @ 1.981/1