Champions League 2013/14: Matchday 2

Zenit (2/7) v Australia Vienna (14)

On occasions, Zenit has been disappointing in the Champions League but they should have no trouble beating Austria Vienna with more than enough to spare. Their home advantage is so hard to overcome for many teams and Luciano Spaletti’s side have the quality to win by more than a goal against a Vienna side that look overmatched facing a team that have scored 12 goals in their last three games. One could also double them with Dortmund for a quick and easy near evens shot.

Advice: 1 pt Zenit -1 (4/5 Boylesports)

Ajax (2) v AC Milan (6/4)

This is a tricky one, with Milan unconvincing so far this season – especially on the road in Serie A - but with the huge bonus of Mario Balotelli’s return, while Ajax haven’t perfomed at this level in recent years and look vulnerable. The best option might be over 2.5 goals, with Ajax having had that in  10 of their 11 games this season and facing a Milan side that has had some poor defensive performances as well.

Advice: 1 pt over 2.5 goals (17/20 Bet365)

Basel (13/8) v Schalke (2)

A game made even more crucial by Basel’s superb win at Stamford Bridge on Matchday one, this could be a high scoring event with Schalke reliant on Julian Draxler and Kevin Prince-Boateng to make up for the defensive deficiencies that have seen them ship at least three goals on four occasions this season, and Basle still able to play a richly entertaining style of football despite many high profile departures. 

Advice: 1 pt Over 2.5 goals (4/5 general)

Celtic (8) v Barcelona (4/9)

Just a year after their famous win over the Catalans, Celtic face Barcelona once again and while previous evidence would tell us not to discount them, Neil Lennon’s outfit look a weaker team than last year thanks to the departures of Tony Watt and Victor Wanyama and might not turn over the Spainish Champions this time around. However, Barcelona are too short to make any appeal and have still shown some defensive ricks that could hurt them on the counter, so this looks a game to watch rather than bet on.

Advice: No bet

Dortmund (3/10) v Marsellie (11)

Borussia Dortmund lost at Napoli on matchday one but have started this season in mostly fine form, looking potentially improved by the arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while using one of Europe’s most intimidating atmospheres as a background to their success. They hadn’t lost a game all season until losing at Napoli – where a red card tipped the balance in hosts’ favour – and in their last two home games, thrashed Humburg and Freiburg in style. Marsellie are a solid side who won here two seasons ago but Dortmund are a changed team in the two years since who had a 100% record at home in this competition last season.

Advice: 4 pts Dortmund -1 (4/5 general)

Porto (9/5) v Atletico Madrid (9/5)

Athletico Madrid served further notice of their serious prospects on all fronts when deservedly beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last month and that form makes them deserved favourites for this Iberian clash, but they spent a huge amount of effort there and in Diego Costa’a suspension, are missing a key element of their attacking squad. Porto’s form has been matchday but haven’t lost a home league game since 2008 and won all four of their matches at home last season. With both sides so well organised – especially Simeone’s Madrid, who haven’t conceded a goal to either of La Liga’s big two this year, this could be a tight one and a dutch of 1-0 is an interesting option with no goalscorer big at 17/2.

Advice: 1 pt no goalscorer (17/2 general)

Steaua (9/2) v Chelsea (5/6)

Chelsea haven’t had a perfect start to their season but they have more than enough quality to take a win from Steaua Bucharest. Basel took all three points from Stamford Bridge on matchday one but Jose’s men won their next two matches and ended Saturday’s London derby much the better in a game they could have won had Juan Mata – expected to start tonight – been on from the start, while Fernando Torres, who looks to be finally getting into some form at Chelsea, is the most potential threat they have possible upfront. Steaua offered no threat against Schalke on Matchday one and haven’t won in the Champions League in their last 17 matches.

Advice: 2 pts Chelsea (5/6 Bet365)