Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller make for exciting 11/4 scorer double

Yet another scoring double is on offer with Coral for the Champions League quarter-final second legs. Back Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller, a fellow forward from Bayern Munich, both to net anytime, and receive enhanced odds of 11/4.

Apart from being two of world football’s most illustrious attackers, there are other reasons why this is such a great bet.

Barca (5/4 to win in 90 minutes) star Messi in virtually guaranteed to score against Atletico Madrid, because he averages a goal per game against them in his trophy-laden career. In 20 previous meetings in all competitions, he has netted exactly that many.

Argentina captain Messi is 10/3 to score the opener, and odds-on to be on target anytime, as the Catalan giants travel to the Vicente Calderon. He has eight in six Champions League appearances this season, and boasts an average ratio of better than three in every four (75 in 96) when playing in Europe’s elite club competition.

Despite suffering a couple of injuries this term, Messi is still getting a goal per game. From 36 competitive appearances (La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League), he has netted 38 times. Messi has hat-tricks against Atletico on his unparalleled CV, so odds of 16/1 to take the match ball home are worth considering.

Bayern’s versatile forward Muller, meanwhile, has five in a dozen outings when facing Premier League sides in the Champions League. His Munich team host Manchester United here, and odds-on at 2/7 to win on the night (1/8 to reach the semi-finals).

Muller has really come into his own in Europe over the last 18 months. A dozen goals in his last two games in the competition are compelling evidence of his natural finishing instincts. The Germany international is 6/5 to score anytime.

Averaging better than one goal for every two games played (22 in 38) in competitive matches (Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League) this term, Muller is also 9/2 to net the opener.