Porto vs PSG preview

October 2, 2012
By: Frank Beresford

The clash between two up-and-coming sides when it comes to European standards should deliver us premium entertainment at Dragao Stadium.

Both teams were very convincing at the start of the Champions League campaign and now aim to continue the good run of results.

Having surprisingly crashed out in group stage last term, Porto now aim to at least reach the knockout stages, but that will be no easy task despite the bright start to the new campaign.

The 2-0 away win over Dinamo Zagreb was certainly a step in the right direction, but with PSG and Dynamo Kiev also in their group, the Portuguese giants cannot afford to relax just yet.

The 2-2 draw with Rio Ave at the weekend can be considered as a good warning that not even much weaker sides can be beaten if they are not taken seriously, so we can expect Porto’s motivation to be at a premium when they host star-studded PSG side.

Given that the Dragons are still considered a force to be reckoned with in Europe, we are not surprised that the hosts are 2.38 (11/8) favourites with 888sport to win this game.

With Emidio Rafael the only injury worry, boss Vitor Pereira will once again have nearly fully fit squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Helton – Miguel Lopes, Maicon, Otamendi, Alex Sandro – Lucho, Defour, Moutinho – Varela, Martinez, Rodriguez.

Despite the heavy summer spending and the arrival of players like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti and Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain had a very slow start to the season.

However, after the away win over Lille ended the three-match winless run, the Saints managed to return to the right track and they have been impressive ever since.

The French giants have now won five on the bounce, with the 4-1 Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev the highlight of their season so far.

PSG are likely to face a much tougher task in Portugal, but bear in mind BetVictor has them at 3.40 (12/5) to make it six in a row.

Jeremy Menez and Ezequiel Lavezzi are back in contention after missing the 2-0 win over Sochaux, but Thiago Motta, Diego Lugano and Mathieu Bodmer are all out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Sirigu – Jallet, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell – Chantome, Verratti, Matuidi – Pastore, Menez – Ibrahimovic.

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