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UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 Preview: Valencia v PSG

The wait is over. UEFA Champions League is finally back and we’re now heading towards the business end of the tournament as the knockout stages begin on Tuesday with 2 exciting matches to look forward to.

Match Preview :

preview

Valencia have reached the last 16 twice in the last three years and will hope to go one step further this time around. But they will need all that recent experience to defeat a formidable looking PSG side. These 2 teams will meet in a competitive match for the first time in their history.

Valencia Team News :

With no major injury worries, Ernesto Valverde should be able to field in his strongest starting XI. The only concern will be the availability of Aly Cissokho who limped off injured in Valencia’s weekend 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Joao Pereira, Victor Ruiz and Diego Alves are set to return to the starting line-up after being named on the bench in that game.

The likes of Adil Rami,Jeremy Mathieu,Aly Cissokho,Tino Costa and Sofiane Feghouli have all played in the French League and their valuable experience against a French opposition could come into play. Valencia have already beaten another French team Lille twice in the group stages this season.

Roberto Soldado and Ever Banega will be a real threat up front and will be the key men for Valencia.

Valencia's possible Starting XI
Valencia’s possible Starting XI

PSG Team News :

The most important talking point of the match is that David Beckham will travel with the squad to Spain but will NOT feature in the match.

Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta are both out with thigh injuries.

The absence of Silva could hurt the French team at the back and coach Carlos Ancelotti will have some major decisions to make.

PSG are having a great run winning 10 of their 11 games in 2013. They are sitting on top of the table in their domestic league, 6 points clear of the next team.

psg team
Probable PSG Starting XI

With Lucas Moura joining PSG, it will be interesting to see if he can break into the starting XI which boasts an attacking quartret of Lavezzi,Ibrahimovic,Menez and Pastore.

Prediction : Valencia 1-1 PSG

It should be an exciting end to end game and PSG have enough attacking power to score that important away goal.