*UCL: Borussia Dortmund Win & Over 1.5 Goals (-134) vs. Sporting Lisbon
The main thought behind this pick is simply that Dortmund are just the much better team who score lots of goals. Simple. After winning four Bundesliga games on the bounce, they lost a tough match against Monchengladbach on Saturday and will be keen to get back to winning ways. The game will be played at home for Dortmund who have yet to lose a single home game in the Bundesliga this season. Not only that, Dortmund have scored 17 goals in six games in the league which is second most, only trailing Bayern Munich. When looking at Sporting Lisbon, they have lost seven out of their last eight away games in the Champions League group stages, and also lost 12 in their last 13 previous matches away to German competition. They are very inexperienced on the Champions League stage and are playing a Dortmund side who succeed in this competition every season. Sporting were defeated 5-1 by Ajax earlier this month in the first group game where they looked very vulnerable defensively. They now play a Dortmund side who have riches of attacking talent that is seen as superior to Ajax’s, who smashed 5 goals past them. *Take Dortmund and Over 1.5 goals.
*Another quality pick would be to take Dortmund to win & BTTS (+230) Sporting have some decent attacking players to play through. They are good on the ball and can certainly score goals. Dortmund have allowed 12 goals in six Bundesliga games this season and allowed a weaker Besiktas side to score against them in the first group game. Still expect dortmund to win this game, but don’t be surprised if Sporting sneak a goal in somewhere along the way.
*UCL: Liverpool to Win vs. FC Porto (-125)
Liverpool head into this game in top form. They have scored three goals in each of their last five games and look very solid on both ends of the pitch. After a disappointing 3-3 draw against Brentford this weekend, another bounce back game is in order, it’s rare to see a team of Liverpool’s stature drop points and concede goals two games in a row. In a group dabbed as the “group of death” every single game is a must-win. No better time for the reds to get that win than against Porto, a side that has conceded more goals (11) in the Champions League against Klopp’s Liverpool than any other team. Not to mention, Liverpool have won four of their last five Champions League group stage matches away from home. In the group of death that consists of AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, this may be seen as the easiest game for Liverpool in the group this season, so expect them to pick up all three points. *Take Liverpool to win.
*PICKS:
- Dortmund to Win & Over 1.5 Goals (-134)
- Liverpool to WIN (-125)
- Additional pick: Dortmund to Win & BTTS (+230)
