PSG vs Benfica preview

October 1, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

PSG vs BenficaHigh-flying Paris Saint-Germain are searching for their second group victory after hammering Olympiakos in their opening fixture.

Meanwhile, Benfica defeated Anderlecht at home, and they arrive in Paris looking for the first away win in the Champions League after two years.

Rather surprisingly, Paris Saint-Germain opted against heavy summer recruitment this summer and that is proving to be a great decision.

Edinson Cavani, Lucas Digne and Marquinhos were added to the ranks without disrupting the harmony of the squad, and that is probably the main reason why the Saints are still unbeaten this season.

While climbing to the top of Ligue 1 standings, where they are tied on points with Monaco, PSG won the French Super Cup against Bordeaux, albeit not impressing in that match.

They have also enjoyed a brilliant start to the new Champions League campaign, recording a 4-1 triumph over Olympiakos in Athens, and are now hoping to make a giant step towards the next stage by defeating Benfica as well.

With Laurent Blanc resting a number of key players in weekend’s victory over Toulouse, PSG look a good bet at 1.85 (17/20) at BetVictor.

Having bagged 5 goals in first 9 appearances for his new club, Edinson Cavani is 2.62 (13/8) with Paddy Power to score against Benfica as well.

Thiago Silva continues to miss out, while Alex could return to the side. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Blaise Matuidi and Edinson Cavani will be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Sirigu – Van der Wiel, Alex, Marquinhos, Maxwell – Verratti, Matuidi, Motta – Cavani, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi.

Following some impressive displays throughout the season, Benfica suffered a real heartbreak in the season finale, narrowly missing out on no less than three major trophies.

However, that didn’t seem to have destabilized the club, as the Eagles signed a number of new players this summer to ensure they are even stronger than last term.

Bar the opening defeat to Maritimo, Benfica have been pretty solid most of the time, even with some important players missing through injury.

Jorge Jesus’ side eased off to a 2-0 win over Anderlecht at the start of their Champions League campaign, but the match against PSG is likely to be a whole different ball game.

Even though the Eagles are without a Champions League win on the road for two years, odds of 1.53 (8/15) offered at Ladbrokes on Benfica to score do look tempting.

Nicolas Gaitan is expected to return after missing the weekend’s draw with Belenenses through injury, whilst Filip Djuricic and Andre Almeida are pushing for starting places. Eduardo Salvio, Silvio Azevedo and Ruben Amorim continue to miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Artur – Almeida, Luisao, Garay, Siqueira – Perez, Fejsa, Matic – Djuricic, Cardozo, Gaitan.

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