Chelsea and Arsenal will both hope for positive results in the Champions League on Wednesday night but here we look out the other games in groups E and F that could have a big bearing on who eventually qualifies for the knock-out stage, with Bundesliga pair Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund both eyeing victories.
Bayer Leverkusen v Valencia (Group E)
Leverkusen host Valencia on matchday three before the return game between the two in the group takes place in the Mestalla on November 1.
The German outfit hold a slight advantage after two games, earning a win and a draw so far while Valencia have only been able to pick up two draws – a disappointing 0-0 against Genk before an improved 1-1 at home to group E favourites Chelsea last time out.
Veteran midfielder Michael Ballack has urged Leverkusen’s youngsters to take their chance on the biggest stage and make an impact on the group with a win over the more experienced Champions League campaigners and they look decent value at 11/8 to do just that on Wednesday.
Valencia (2/1 – match prices) are not the feared outfit of a couple of years ago and, despite holding Chelsea, look set to struggle to claim an automatic qualification place.
Gone are the stellar names of David Villa, Juan Mata and David Silva – players who graced the Champions League for ‘Los Che’ – and now boss Unai Emery has to rely on the likes of Roberto Soldado, Daniel Parejo and David Albelda.
The draw is on offer with totesport at 9/4 – a result Valencia will take – but a victory for the home side looks on the cards with a 2-1 success at 8/1 particularly tempting.
Olympiacos v Borussia Dortmund (Group F)
The other game in Arsenal’s group sees Greek giants Olympiacos entertain Dortmund with both sides still looking for a win after two games.
Dortmund held the Gunners at home 1-1 before they were humbled 3-0 in Marseille last time out and know a win in Piraeus could be vital to their chances of making the top two.
The Bundesliga side are evens to come away with a victory, but the draw looks more tempting at 12/5 in this one, as Olympiacos search for their first point of the competition.
Defeats at home to Marseille (1-0) and Arsenal away (2-1) leave Ernesto Valverde’s men with a mountain to climb already and, with daunting trips to France and Germany still to come, they will surely be going all out for a win in this one.
Dortmund, however, are in decent domestic form having won their last three Bundesliga matches and will certainly fancy their chances of getting something out of the game.
Robert Lewandowski has scored five goals already this season, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Augsburg at the start of the month, and the Polish star looks good value at 13/2 to score anytime.
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Arsenal have a huge European test on their hands on Tuesday when they face Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in their first Champions League group clash of the season (Dortmund 6/5, draw 23/10, Arsenal 12/5).