5 things we are looking forward to as the Champions League returns

The midweek extravaganza of European football is back, with the Champions League set to continue with a bang.

And after a bumper return of the Premier League at the weekend, there are a number of issues that pose big questions in Europe’s biggest club events.

Here are five things we can’t wait to find out.

Just how many will Ronaldo score?

In bumbling their way to a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers at the weekend, Liverpool will know all too well that they have to up their game if they are to avoid defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

One man in particular will have Brendan Rodgers losing sleep. Cristiano Ronaldo netted another two this weekend to take his tally to 18 goals in 11 games.

The former Manchester United man is 12/1 to bag a hat-trick at Anfield.

Will Dortmund stop playing ‘pointless’ football?

After falling to their third straight Bundesliga defeat at the weekend Jurgen Klopp described how his team are “playing a kind of football which is absolutely pointless”.

And with injury problems hitting Dortmund hard, the pressure will be on to turn things around, when the 2012/13 runners-up take on Galatasaray in Istanbul, with the Germans priced at 5/6 for victory.

Does Costa have time to play for Chelsea?

“He will play for me when he has free time from the national team.” Those were the words used by Jose Mourinho on his injury-ravaged striker Diego Costa.

The Chelsea boss has berated the fact that Costa apparently returned from duties with Spain carrying a knock.

With nine goals in his first seven matches for the Blues, the Stamford Bridge faithful will be willing him to be fit for their visit of Maribor.

Will someone’s unbeaten record go?

Bayern Munich and Roma have had wonderful starts to their campaign, with neither side tasting defeat in this competition as of yet.

The pair are set to clash at the Stadio Olimpico with Pep Guardiola’s men priced at 21/20 for the win, with the hosts an 11/4 shot, and a draw available at 5/2.

It could be a cracker in the Italian capital.

Can Citizens take advantage of fan ban?

In battling for a 2-1 victory when they made the trek to Moscow to take on CSKA last season, Manchester City had to put the partisan Russian crowd to the back of their mind.

However this time round, following a ban from UEFA on fans in the ground, Manuel Pellegrini’s men will face a very different atmosphere.

Victory in the empty Arena Khimki looks vital for the citizens, if they are to have much chance of progression from Group E.

All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing

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