Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 4y

Real Madrid to slip up at Galatasaray in Champions League? Ajax to beat Chelsea?

Manchester United managed to hold Liverpool to a draw this weekend to halt our run of good form as well as the Reds', but the Champions League returns to offer you a chance to get some money back.

Running total: +£20.40

The Banker

We fancy goals when Manchester City and Atalanta meet for the first time in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Pep Guardiola's side are sitting comfortably at the top of Group C with six points from two matches, while Atalanta are bottom having lost their first two games against Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Citizens were made to work for their weekend victory over Crystal Palace and, with key defensive names still missing, we at least fancy Atalanta to score at the Etihad. This despite the fact that their leading scorer Duvan Zapata was injured playing for Colombia recently and misses out this week. Atalanta drew 3-3 at Lazio over the weekend and will look to attack City, who know a victory would all but seal qualification into the next phase.

Selection: £5 on Manchester City to win and both teams to score at 6/5 with bet365.

The First Goal Flutter

After being unlucky to lose to Liverpool in their last home game, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder will no doubt feel quietly optimistic as Arsenal head to Bramall Lane on Monday night. That said, Arsenal are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions and have lost just one of their last 10 in the Premier League. They therefore start the match as worthy favourites against the Blades, who sit just one point outside the relegation zone.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has four goals in his last three away matches in all competitions and the Gabon striker can be backed at 13/5 to score first in south Yorkshire.

Selection: £5 on Aubameyang to score first at 13/5 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

Ajax, who have won their opening matches in Group H against Lille and Valencia respectively, can take a giant step towards qualification for the next round by beating Chelsea this week. The Dutch giants are a 5/4 chance with bet365 to beat Frank Lampard's side, who laboured to a 1-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend and have not looked overly convincing away from Stamford Bridge so far this season.

Elsewhere, PSG look banker material at 4/7 when they head to Belgium to face Club Brugge. They lead the way in Group A with six points and have already beaten Real Madrid 3-0 in Europe this season. Angel Di Maria is in fine form while Kylian Mbappe was also on target for them last time out as they hammered Nice 4-1.

Finally, RB Leipzig (4/7) welcome Zenit St Petersburg to the Red Bull Arena in Group G on Wednesday, and the hosts can give their qualification prospects a real shot in the arm by beating the Russians. Leipzig are just a point off top spot in the Bundesliga and should make home advantage count. Timo Werner has bagged eight goals already this term and can fire RB to what would be a crucial victory.

Selection: £3 on the treble at 4.55/1 with bet365.

The Wildcard Tip

Real Madrid look vulnerable when they head to Turkey to face Galatasaray, with pressure mounting on head coach Zinedine Zidane.

Madrid and the Turkish champions have both have accrued just a single point from their opening two games in Group A, and any defeat in Istanbul would be a major set back for either club's prospects of progressing in the competition. Los Blancos suffered a shock loss to lowly Mallorca at the weekend, and Galatasaray could be worth a small play here at 9/2 against the wobbling European giants.

Selection: £2 on Galatasaray to win at 9/2 with bet365.

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