PSG vs Valencia preview

March 5, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Valencia vs PSGPSG made a giant step towards the Champions League quarter-finals with the 2-1 win at Mestalla, but nobody can afford to write off Valencia just yet, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing through suspension.

Saints sporting director recently said that his side were more suited for European competitions than French league football, and it appears that he may have a point.

While Paris Saint-Germain continue to struggle on domestic stage, losing their last two away games to relegation strugglers Sochaux and Reims, they continue to impress in Europe.

After topping their Champions League group and leaving the likes of Porto and Dynamo Kiev to trail in their wake, the Saints produced a stunning display to beat Valencia at Mestalla in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

As a result, PSG are now hot favourites to qualify and 1.91 (10/11) with BetVictor to beat los Che for the second time in a row.

That may not be an easy task now that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti miss out through suspension, but the good news is captain Thiago Silva has resumed full training.

It remains to be seen whether he will be risked so soon after his return, but David Beckham is likely to play a part after coming on as a sub in the last two fixtures.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Sirigu – Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell – Lucas Moura, Chantome, Matuidi, Pastore – Lavezzi, Gameiro.

Valencia, too, were doing pretty well in Europe while failing to live up to potential on domestic stage, but the team have since managed to improve their league position.

The arrival of boss Ernesto Valverde had a very positive effect on the squad, and los Che are now back in contention for the top 4 finish in La Liga.

The problem is they are on the verge of Champions League elimination following the 2-1 defeat to PSG, and numerous selection problems are not helping their cause ahead of the return leg.

With starting centre-backs Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa both missing, left-back Jeremy Mathieu is likely to form the defensive pairing with Victor Ruiz.

Even so, Valencia are not without chances at Parc des Princes, and they are 7.00 (6/1) at SkyBet to create a surprise and make it to the quarter-finals.

The visitors will be heavily relying on top scorer Roberto Soldado, who is 3.75 (11/4) at SkyBet to score at anytime.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Alves – Pereira, Ruiz, Mathieu, Guardado – Parejo, Banega – Feghouli, Tino Costa, Jonas – Soldado.

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