Champions League Opta Stats: Galatasaray to notch

 

Christian Crowther picks out some Opta stats and bets to go with Wednesday's Champions League quarter-finals...

 

Malaga v Borussia Dortmund, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 4

Malaga are the only team yet to concede a first-half goal in the Champions League this season

Malaga have built their campaign on a solid defence to reach the last eight of Europe's elite club tournament. The Spaniards' 2-0 second-leg triumph over Porto in the round-of-16 represented their fourth home clean sheet in five in the competition. Manuel Pellegrini's men are certainly solid first-half performers too, having only been behind once at half-time in their last 13 games in all competitions, going in level in seven of the last ten.

Recommended Bet: Back the half-time draw @ 2.22

 

Borussia Dortmund are one of two teams unbeaten in the Champions League this season with Juventus

Pellegrini's side are very strong at their Rosaleda home, having recorded six wins and three draws from their previous nine European games there. They will be trying desperately to take an advantage back to Germany, but it won't be easy against the 1997 champions, who remain undefeated to this point, having already secured three away draws in the competition, including one at the Bernabeu.

Recommended Bet: Back the draw @ 3.5

 

 

Real Madrid v Galatasaray, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2

 

Real Madrid have failed to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season (11 goals conceded); the Merengues have the worst defensive record among the eight teams left in the competition this season

Unlike his Chelsea or Inter teams of the past, this Jose Mourinho side is built around attacking flair over defensive solidarity. Real's play is all about scoring, which often brings about an overcommitment going forward and conceding goals on the break as result. Outscoring their opponents may work fine in the La Liga but, with the added element of the away goals rule, it's a risky style to adopt on the continent.

Recommended Bet: Back Galatasaray to score a goal @ 1.84

 

Real Madrid have only failed to score once in their last 33 Champions League games, against Barcelona at the Bernabeu in April 2011

On the plus side for Los Blancos is their ability to find the net with consummate ease, highlighted by their 2.5-goal average at the Bernabeu in the Champions League this season. Of course, any team which boast Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks is guaranteed a healthy looking goals-for column. Alongside his opponent Burak Yilmaz of visiting Galatasaray, Ronaldo has top scored in the tournament on eight goals to this point. The Portuguese has also bagged the last goal of the game on four occasions in this season's competition.

Recommended Bet: Back Cristiano Ronaldo to score last @ 3.25

 

Bet HERE

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