5 Champions League lessons include Chelsea’s case for glory

The opponents may only have been Maribor and other usual suspects will certainly have something to say as the competition unfolds, but the latest Chelsea side Jose Mourinho has assembled must be worth a bet on Champions League glory.

Here are five things gleaned from another spectacular night of action in Europe’s top competition where the headlines included Roma’s humiliating 7-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich:

Chelsea have the squad capable of winning it

No Diego Costa and Chelsea still managed to bang in six without reply. That his replacement Loic Remy was injured whilst opening the scoring was very unfortunate, but the renewed strength of the squad was then showcased as Didier Drogba came off the bench to register on the night as well.

However, despite all the attacking flair Mourinho has at his disposal it’s the formidable defence marshalled by another Chelsea legend in John Terry, which makes their current 6/1 price for glory so tempting.

Bayern Munich are back to their rampaging best

Having run into Real Madrid-shaped buffers last season in the semis, Bayern’s electric performance and crushing defeat of Roma, in Rome, stated categorically that the Germans mean business once more in 2014/15 – installed as 10/3 overall favourites.

Manchester City cannot shake European jitters

Two goals to the good at half time, Manuel Pellegrini’s side only needed to drop the shutters against CSKA Moscow to place themselves in an extremely advantageous position in Group E behind certain winners Bayern.

However, they couldn’t see the game out and although they are 5/6 alongside Roma to get out the group City must wise up in Europe over the remaining three games to realise their ambitions.

Neymar won’t be outshone by Messi and co at Barcelona

With the arrival of Luis Suarez this summer Barcelona now have more stars than the Milky Way in their midst.

Nevertheless, Brazil’s World Cup hero was on target for the seventh time in his last five Barca appearances in the 3-1 win over Ajax. The Catalans are now 8/13 to top Group F.

The Champions League is still top dog for entertainment

A record 40 goals were scored on a single night of top European action. Here’s our favourite:

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.