Champions League Last 16 - Valencia v PSG

Paris St Germain’s big money revolution has all been towards the aid of them winning the Champions League, and they can go one step closer towards that aim by getting past Valencia over the two legs and taking a first leg lead at the Mestalla this evening. Carlo Ancellotti’s side have been the subject of much media attention after not only their takeover, but also their specular signings over the past few transfer windows, but the huge amounts of investments have begun to have the desired effect upon the Parisian club, who are a great bet at 8/13 to go through to the quarters regardless of the result tonight.

PSG's heavy spending is finally working out for the Frenchmen

To see the two sides as relative joint favourites underlines the differing patch taken by the two, with Valencia’s slow exodus of top class players finally catching up with them and PSG’s rapid 18 month transformation finally clicking into gear, the two clubs do seem to be on a different path to eachother although Los Che’s recent fightback from the doldrums of La Liga has shown there to be life in the old team yet, even if Unai Emery’s experience at the European level has been and gone.

The now Ernesto Valverde coached side do have quite a lot on their side ahead of tonight’s game – their much improved form figures now read W5-D2-L2 in all competitions and they were truly excellent in their 1-1 draw at home with Barcelona just two games ago, while their home record in the Champions league is pretty outstanding. Unbeaten in nine at home in the Champions League, with a record of 6/6 against French sides – none of whom have even beaten Valencia since Nantes back in 1980 – they also have a great record against the biggest and best considering the decline of the first XI in the side. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid have all come here without success this season while Bayern Munich needed a late goal even with the hosts down to ten men for well over an hour.

 

It’s a mark of the progress that PSG have made that we can even think about them in the same way as we do of those sides, and a stunning run of form which has seen them win 11 of their last 12 confirms that the talent bought in over the past year and half has finally clicked after a disappointing start to the season in France especially, so there will be plenty of takers for the 23/10 dangled by Boylesports upon the French side. However any PSG blips this season have come on the road – most notably when they were well beaten by Porto even when going down just 1-0 – and the 2-1 win in the reverse fixture was down to Helton’s complete shocker in goal in a game that either side could have won. Their uber strong defensive record – they’ve let in just three this season, two against Porto – and consistent ability to get on the scoresheet (they have scored in 28 of their last 31) should see them gain a decent result here, although a score draw might be the best they can do. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have all been held to a 1-1 draw here (along with Chelsea in last year’s Group stage) and that, along with the draw, might be the best value from tonight’s game.

Advice

1 pt 1-1 draw (6/1 Bet Victor, 5/1 general)

4 pts PSG to qualify (8/13 Boylesports)