Back In The Hunt

After his phenomenal nine goals in the group stages, it’s tempting to take the 5/2 on offer for Ronaldo in the first goalscorer market. However, at the same price, I would rather take Klaas Jan Huntelaar to score anytime in the match for the hosts.

Back to full fitness after an injury plagued season, the Dutch international has no shortage of pedigree. Not only does he have 34 goals for his country, ‘The Hunter’ scored a Ronaldo-esque 48 goals in 48 matches for Schalke in 2011-12 which included 14 in 12 European outings.

Last season the 30-year-old found the net in four of seven continental fixtures and now he is back in business and scoring in the Bundesliga. He recently nabbed the winner away to second-placed Leverkusen and he should be confident of getting a chance or two here.

For all their firepower, Madrid do give opponents hope. The Spanish giants have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine Champions League away matches. They also have a shocking record in Germany. The 4-1 defeat in Dortmund last term could play on a few defenders’ minds.