Wednesday's Champions League predictions: Gung-ho Milan could unsettle Atletico

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wednesday's group matches in the Uefa Champions League.

Atletico Madrid v Milan

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Milan or draw double chance
2pts 5-4 Hills

Preview

Milan's unbeaten start to their Serie A campaign ended with a 4-3 loss at Fiorentina at the weekend but their gung-ho approach gives them a chance of avoiding defeat on their Group B trip to Atletico Madrid.

The Rossoneri's away matches in Serie A are averaging almost four goals per game and they led Liverpool 2-1 at half-time at Anfield before going down 3-2 on matchday one.

Milan let another lead slip at home to Atletico, who scored twice in the final six minutes in Milan to win 2-1, although the hosts were reduced to ten men when Franck Kessie was sent off inside the first half an hour.

The Italians need a win in Madrid to have any chance of qualifying but their desperation could make them dangerous opponents for inconsistent Atletico, who lost twice to Liverpool and have won only five of their last 11 fixtures in La Liga.

Key stats

• Atletico Madrid have kept six clean sheets in their last nine home games
• Both teams have scored in nine of Milan's last 11 matches
• Atletico have won only two of their last seven games

Club Brugge v RB Leipzig

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 4, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Over 3.5 goals
1pt 13-8 bet365

Preview

Club Brugge were beaten 5-1 and 4-1 by Manchester City in their last two Champions League Group A matches but the Belgian champions should find things a little easier at home to poor travellers RB Leipzig.

An entertaining clash is on the cards given that Club Brugge have scored in all four of their group games, including a 1-1 home draw with Paris St-Germain and a 2-1 away win over Leipzig on matchday two.

The Germans lost 5-0 at Manchester United and won 4-3 at Istanbul Basaksehir in last term's group stage and the goals have continued to flow in their matches this term, with a 6-3 hiding at City followed by a 3-2 defeat at PSG.

They held the French powerhouses to a 2-2 draw at home on matchday four but are winless in 11 Bundesliga and Champions League away matches and their defence is hard to trust.

Key stats

• RB Leipzig have lost five of their last six away matches in the Champions League
• Seven of Club Brugge's last eight Champions League matches have produced over 2.5 goals
• Leipzig have not won any of their last 11 away games in the Bundesliga and Champions League

Sheriff Tiraspol v Real Madrid

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 2, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
1pt 8-5 Hills

Preview

Champions League newcomers Sheriff Tiraspol produced a colossal shock by beating 13-time European champions Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu on matchday two and the fearless Moldovans can give Real a good contest in the return fixture.

Sheriff had beaten experienced European campaigners Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 on their group-stage debut and they also found the net in home and away defeats to Italian champions Inter.

Real have won their previous two away matches, pinching a 1-0 win at Inter before an impressive 5-0 victory at Shakhtar, and they have won their last three road fixtures in La Liga, including a 2-1 success at Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti's side made hard work of beating Shakhtar 2-1 at home on matchday four and they have struggled to keep clean sheets in recent weeks so backing Real to win and both teams to score could be a decent bet.

Key stats

• Four of Real Madrid's last five victories have been by a 2-1 scoreline
• Sheriff have scored in 11 of their 12 Champions League games this season
• Real Madrid have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last five wins

Sporting v Borussia Dortmund

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 3, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Sporting
3pts 17-10 bet365

Preview

Sporting made a shocking start to the group stage, losing 5-1 at home to Ajax on matchday one before a 1-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund, but they got back on track by beating struggling Besiktas 4-1 and 4-0 in their last two games.

That leaves them scrapping with Dortmund for second place behind rampant Ajax and Sporting are a nice price to claim a vital victory over BVB in Lisbon.

The Germans will be without suspended centre-back Mats Hummels and injured superstar Erling Haaland, while as many as eight other senior players could also miss out.

Confidence in the Dortmund camp must have been dented by a pair of defeats to Ajax - 4-0 away and 3-1 at home - in their last two European fixtures while their most recent Bundesliga trip ended in a 2-1 defeat at Leipzig and they are well worth opposing in Portugal.

Key stats

• Three of Sporting's last six home wins were by a 1-0 margin
• Borussia Dortmund have lost four of their last seven away matches
• None of Dortmund's last 31 matches in all competitions ended in a draw

Besiktas v Ajax

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 5.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Ajax to win to nil
1pt 7-4 bet365, BoyleSports

Preview

Ajax have won four out of four in Group C, including handsome away wins at Sporting (5-1) and Borussia Dortmund (3-1) and bookmakers expect them to extend their perfect start at struggling Besiktas.

The Turkish side have lost all four of their Champions League group matches this season and their domestic form is also dismal, with four defeats in their last five Super Lig outings.

A massively depleted Besiktas side lost 2-0 away to Ajax on matchday two, when the Dutch champions had seven shots on target to their visitors' none.

Michy Batshuayi hit the woodwork for Besiktas that night but the Belgian striker has been ruled out with a back injury and Ajax look a tempting price to win to nil.

They have played some dazzling attacking football this season but are superb at the back too, conceding just four goals in 17 Eredivisie and Champions League games, and they can keep their dispirited hosts quiet.

Key stats

• Ajax have scored 20 goals in their last six away matches
• Besiktas have lost eight of their last ten matches in all competitions
• Both teams have scored in only one of Ajax's last 12 matches

Inter v Shakhtar Donetsk

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Draw-Inter double result
1pt 16-5 Hills

Preview

Serie A champions Inter beat highflying Napoli 3-2 in an entertaining game at San Siro on Sunday but spectators in Milan will not be expecting a Champions League thriller against Shakhtar Donetsk.

These teams have met three times since the start of last season's group stage and all three matches ended 0-0. Shakhtar dominated possession against Inter on matchday two, when the sides mustered just two shots on target each, and the visitors will be out to frustrate Simone Inzaghi's men once again.

In Inter's favour is their excellent home form. Despite the departure of last season's top scorer Romelu Lukaku they have scored 18 goals in six Serie A matches at San Siro and they come into this game after back-to-back 3-1 wins over Sheriff Tiraspol in Group D.

Inter were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at home to Real Madrid on matchday one and, with a bit of patience, they should finally break Shakhtar's resistance.

Key stats

• Inter have scored 18 goals in six home Serie A matches this season
• The last three meetings between these teams all ended 0-0
• Both teams have scored in seven of Inter's last nine matches

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport