PSG host familiar Champions League foes Chelsea, while Benfica battle Zenit
Published:
Lee Gormley | February 15, 2016
The Champions League makes its welcomed return this week, with dominant French champions PSG set to face familiar foes Chelsea in Paris, while Portuguese giants Benfica contest Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg in Tuesday’s European action.
PSG v Chelsea
- Champions League last 16, first leg
- Tuesday, February 16th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Parc des Princes, Paris
- Live on BT Sport Europe
In-form PSG host revived Chelsea
Guus Hiddink’s rejuvenated Chelsea side make the trip to Paris for a familiar Champions League last 16 first leg encounter with dominant Ligue 1 champions PSG, as the Blues seek a first fixture victory on French soil since 2004.
The Londoners last secured a European triumph over the Parisians on their travels over a decade ago, when Didier Drogba and John Terry were on target in a 3-0 victory, though Hiddink’s Blues are 9/2 with Coral to crack a much stronger PSG outfit this time out.
Laurent Blanc’s hosts have been in sublime form this current campaign ahead of the third consecutive season meeting with Chelsea, having lost just once all term to Real Madrid and come into this tie on the back of an incredible 16 wins from their last 17 outings.
Parisians possess plenty of threat
The reigning French champions have all but retained their domestic crown already at this early stage of the season, sitting a mammoth 24 points ahead of rivals Monaco at the Ligue 1 summit, and they are 7/5 to win to nil on home soil.
PSG may have had their rampant 16-game winning streak halted in a scoreless draw with Lyon recently but, with the likes of Sweden sharpshooter Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the mercurial Angel di Maria in their ranks, they could truly test Chelsea.
Key marksman Ibrahimovic was sent off when the two sides last met, but he is 3/1 to open proceedings in the latest match-up, while former Manchester United misfit Di Maria is 6/4 to continue his dazzling season with another goal anytime.
Hiddink holds revived Blues ranks
Chelsea have enjoyed a revival under the guidance of Dutchman Hiddink since taking over from seemingly Old Trafford-bound Jose Mourinho, with Diego Costa one player who has relished the switch in managers.
The Spain international has been at his menacing best, or worst from a defender’s aspect, and is 7/4 to dispatch anytime, while Brazilian set-piece ace Willian is 5/1 to get his name on the scoresheet.
PSG managed to progress from their previous last 16 ties with Chelsea on away goals last season, with the two fixtures ending 1-1 and 2-2 respectively, and another stalemate is 5/2 to occur here in what could be a far from friendly clash in the capital of love only days after Valentines Day.
Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg
- Champions League last 16, first leg
- Wednesday, February 16th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
- Live on BT Sport 2
Benfica battle Russian outfit Zenit
Portuguese outfit Benfica are aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first in four years, while last opponents Zenit St Petersburg hunt their maiden appearance in the final eight ahead of the pair’s first leg encounter.
It’s the visiting Russians that have enjoyed the most success in previous meetings with Benfica, prevailing in three of the four ever match-ups since 2012, including a 2-0 victory in Lisbon during the 2014/15 campaign.
The hosts blew their recent eight-match unbeaten domestic run with a defeat at the hands of bitter Primeira Liga rivals Porto, but Rui Vitoria’s Eagles are 11/10 to recover with home ruling this time around, while Andre Villas-Boas’ Zenit are 14/5 to triumph.
Hosts hold rampant strikeforce
Benfica are currently enjoying their most rampant scoring record since 1976, having netted 60 goals in 22 outings, with star striker Jonas leading the way with 23 in 22 matches, the Primeira Liga’s highest so far this term.
The clinical Brazilian is 5/1 to strike the game’s first goal, while on-loan Fulham frontman Kostas Mitroglou is 5/4 to dispatch anytime, after racking up eight goals in his last seven appearances.
For the visitors, Brazilian forward Hulk is 7/4 to strike anytime, with his in-form teammate Artem Dzyuba 6/1 to bag the game’s last goal in this crucial first leg meeting.
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