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Raphael Varane Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Real Madrid Borussia Dortmund 25092017

Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund: Second half action in Spanish capital

Real Madrid welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Bernabeu on Wednesday looking to end the Champions League group stage with a flourish after several unconvincing performances in Europe this season.

There is little riding on this game from a Real Madrid perspective, given that the holders are already guaranteed to finish second in the group, yet Zinedine Zidane will be desperate for a strong showing from his men.

Los Blancos have won just three of their last eight matches in all competitions, and Saturday night's 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga was the third time in the last ten league games that Madrid have failed to find the back of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid

For a side that had previously scored in 73 consecutive games, it has been quite a comedown for the Spanish champions and on numerous occasions this season Zidane's team have lacked a clinical edge.

Their previous meeting with Dortmund, however, was not one of those occasions and the 3-1 win in Germany one of their best performances of the campaign, so something approaching a repeat would be welcome relief for the manager.

However disappointing Madrid may have been in recent weeks pales in comparison to the negativity currently surrounding a Dortmund side who are seemingly in free-fall.

Without a win in the Bundesliga since September, Dortmund have also been eliminated from the Champions League and now Peter Bosz's side need a win to guarantee passage to the Europa League and avoid the humiliation of seeing APOEL Nicosia finish above them, although the Germans will finish third if they match the Cypriots' result at Spurs.

Real Madrid Dortmund graphic

Paddy Power price the visitors to the Spanish capital at 11/2 (6.50), while Madrid are available at 4/9 (1.44) and the draw is offered at 7/2 (4.50)

Of course, these two sides know each other extremely well as Wednesday's game is their tenth meeting in the last six seasons; during that time, the two previous group stage games at the Bernabeu have finished 2-2 and a repeat is perhaps tempting at 12/1 (13.00)

Another appealing option is backing both teams to score in the second half at 8/5 (2.60), which has paid out in their last three meetings, and indeed, six of Real Madrid's last nine home goals in all competitions have come in the second half whilst this selection has paid out in each of the last two matches they have contested in the Bernabeu. 

Betting Banner - Best BetBoth teams to score in the second half at 8/5 (2.60) for a 2pt stake with Paddy PowerPaddy Power banner
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