Cristiano Ronaldo to run riot as Real Madrid return to Schalke

Coral are offering some cracking prices as Champions League holders Real Madrid, odds-on at 4/9 for a first leg victory, continue to defend their crown by returning to Gelsenkirchen to duel with Schalke.

Once again the focus is on Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, with Los Blancos’ superstar available at a fantastic 3/1 to bag a brace or better, in another tasty matchday special. The maximum stake for this brilliant bet is £20, but this means punters could potentially earn an incredible £80 return and make a cool £60 profit.

Real’s all-time top scorer in Europe, Portugal skipper and sensation Ronaldo bagged a brace in both of Madrid’s quarter-final clashes with Schalke last campaign, making this offer incredible value.

If that delectable deal doesn’t tickle your fancy, however, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, who also grabbed two goals each in Los Blancos’ 6-1 drubbing of the Bundesliga battlers last term, are 9/2 and 5/1 to net first and last respectively.

Meanwhile, former Bayern Munich creator Toni Kroos (7/2 to strike anytime) will return to his homeland for the first time since switching to the Bernabeu in summer. With midfield partners Luka Modric and James Rodriguez sidelined, the German international will have to be at his best alongside a resurgent Isco.

The Royal Blues will be keen to avoid another rout on home turf, but rampant Real, who have netted an incredible 72 times in 23 La Liga games, are a superb 17/5 to score four or more.

Roberto Di Matteo certainly has pedigree in this competition after lifting the trophy with Chelsea back in 2012, and will have to utilise all his experience to steer Schalke to success (of which they have an outside chance of 7/1).

Perhaps a draw at 7/2 in this thrilling first leg is more achievable, but the Gelsenkirchen club will need to work hard to shut out the Spanish giants.