7 March 2013 Champion League Preview

CELTIC are talking up a good game ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash in Turin.

Manager Neil Lennon and his players refuse to concede defeat – and why they should – but this tie was finished in Glasgow as Juventus racked up a 3-0 lead.

I can’t see the Italians busting a gut in the second leg but Antonio Conte will want to put out a side that wins in front of their own fans.

Celtic will push forward with nothing to lose and best bet could be both teams to score. It was 3-2 Juve when the sides last met in Turin and the Hoops have scored in all five of their away ties – and in eight of their last nine overall.

Georgios Samaras has been something of a Euro expert – with goals in every away game if you give him the one in the Nou Camp – so he might be the better bet to score.

Juve’s main man will be Mirko Vucinic who netted in the first leg.

The other tie at least is alive with PSG taking on Valencia after edging the away leg 2-1. PSG had been in decent form until a shock loss at Reims at the weekend and David Beckham could be back in after being rested.

Top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended and the Swedis superstar will be a huge miss. PSG have conceded just seven goals at home in the French league so could keep it tight and settle for the draw that takes them through.

I had a think about backing Valencia until checking PSG’s home record which is impressive. They’ve won 15 and drawn seven of their last 22 European ties and were last beaten in 2006.

They have won eight and drawn one of their last nine at Parc des Princes and won their last five Champions League games there this season. The French have proved they’re not a one-man team and will look to former Napoli star Ezequeil Lavezzi for a goal.

Valencia have won six of their last eight away but just three of their last 10 games in all competions. They were held at home to Levante at the weekend but star striker Roberto Soldado hit his second goal in three games and it was a goal-of-the-season contender.

Soldado,  will have to be at his best to give Valencia a chance but I can see PSG holding on.

Recommendations

Both teams to score Juve-Celtic

PSG-Valencia draw

Soldado to score