Champions League - Matchday 5 (Tuesday the 26th November)

Zenit (1) v Atletico Madrid (16/5)

Atletico Madrid may have already qualified for the last 16 but are playing at a level few in football can match and at 3/1 make tremendous appeal to beat Zenit. The Russian giants have given themselves a big chance with their win in Portugal but Madrid at their best are more than good enough to take the win from Russia and make far more appeal at 3/1 than Zenit at evens.

Advice: 1 pt Atletico Madrid (3/1 general)

Ajax (6) v Barcelona (8/13)

Ajax have struggled in Europe with better sides than this and the gap in class between them and Barcelona was clear on matchday one but the absence of Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez along with Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Victor Valdes, does temper enthusiasm given the Catalans’ record on the road and this might be best avoided.

Advice: No bet

Basel (15/4) v Chelsea (20/23)

Chelsea have had some blips this season but if they display the same fluency that they showed at Upton Park on Saturday they should be able to take three points from Basel and put one foot in the knockouts. Basel shocked Stamford Bridge on matchday one but things have changed since then and they are good enough on their best form.

Advice: 2 pts Chelsea (20/23 Bet Victor)

Celtic (21/10) v AC (31/20)

Celtic’s home support pushed them across the line against Ajax, almost saw them beat Barcelona despite being outplayed for much of the match, and they’ve got a fine chance of overturning an AC Milan side in a horrible run of form. With no wins in their last 6, Massimo Allegri’s under severe pressure and if they finish as poorly as they did on Sunday then a back 4 that hasn’t kept a clean sheet this season could crumble.

Advice: 1 pt Celtic (2/1 general)

Dortmund (13/20) v Napoli (19/4)

Borussia Dortmund were a game away from winning this tournament last season but can be effectively knocked out by Napoli this evening.  Napoli have lost their three toughest away tests of the season – at Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus – but Dortmund must face them without Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer and Nevan Subotic and their absence could be the difference between the two at the end with Napoli boasting a vibrant, speedy and clinical forward line. Nearly 5/1 about the visitors is too big and the Asian handicap provides a fantastic backup.

Advice: 3 pts Napoli +1 on the Asian H’Cap (11/10 Bet365), 1 pt Napoli (11/2 bet365)

Porto (1/6) v Austria Vienna (22)

Porto’s defeat to Zenit was a hammer blow but they are more than good enough to overcome a disappointing run of form by trashing Austria Vienna. The Portuguese champions have been struggling for goals recently but a heavy beating looks within reach and they should be able to keep yet another clean sheet. Vienna took a point of Zenit but were let off by slack finishing and played against 10 men.

Advice: 1 pt 3-0 Porto (13/2 Betvcitor), 4-0 Porto (10/1 Bet Victor)

Steaua (31/10) v Schalke 04 (21/20)

Steaua Bucharest  have recovered from some heavy beatings to take two points from Basle and have a chance of another result against a Schalke side that can’t be trusted at evens. A better bet might be the option of over 2.5 goals, with 7 of Schalke’s last eight having had three or more.

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