Lyon vs Schalke – Schalke’s new signings yet to impress

Many suggested that both Lyon and Schalke would be challenging for their respective leagues this season, but poor starts to both of their seasons would suggest otherwise.

Despite summer signings including Raul and Klass Jan-Huntelaar, Schalke are yet to pick up a point from three games in the Bundesliga, whilst Lyon have only managed five points from five games, suggesting this tie may not feature too long on the highlight reel.

After three defeats in the league, the Lyon game is a new beginning for us,” said striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Schalke fans will be hoping that is the case as they look to start strongly in Group B of the Champions League – they are 10/3 to win.

Lyon have lost just the once in their last seven home Champions League games and Shalke have only managed two wins from 14 away games in the competition, and Lyon should justify their 5/6 favouritism.

However Schalke can boast the competitions all time leading scorer in Raul and he is 8/1 to score first.

Benfica vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

Benfica are 2/1 third favourites behind Lyon and Schalke to top Group B and the Portuguese side will be hoping to win their opening match, 2/5 to do so, and mount the pressure on their group opponents.

Benfica may have lost Angel di Maria and Ramires in the summer, but they can still boast quality in Luisao, Javi Garcia, Pablo Aimar, Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola – the latter being 4/1 to open the scoring.

Israelian side Hapoel Tel Aviv are making their Champions League debut and will be out to prove their not the whipping boys or Group B, and after impressing in Champions League qualifying, there odds of 8/1 might be a bit generous.

Tel Aviv’s goalkeeper scored five goals last season and scored in the qualifiers, he is 20/1 to open the scoring. See the full UEFA Champions League betting market here.