Depleted PSG helps Chelsea’s last 16 Champions League chances

Chelsea may have lost the first leg in Paris of last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, but odds of 7/4 with Coral for victory this term in the last 16 look assured with the hosts facing several injury doubts.

Ivory Coast right back Serge Aurier (thigh), ex-Newcastle United playmaker Yohan Cabaye (groin), fellow midfielder Blaise Matuidi (knee), and Brazilian pair Marquinhos and Lucas Moura (both hamstring) are all struggling to make this match.

That makes odds of 13/8 for a home win a little short, though a draw cannot be discounted at 21/10. It’s the midfield area where PSG boss Laurent Blanc looks short, and that is music to Jose Mourinho’s ears with Cesc Fabregas set to start.

Add him to Serbia shield Nemanja Matic and Oscar, and the Blues look brilliant value for a win with both teams being on target at an enhanced 11/2. Please note punters, this matchday special has a maximum stake of £20.

Everything is all right in attack for the Parisians, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on target in both his last two outings coming into this one. The Sweden star is 9/2 to break the deadlock, and a safer 6/5 to net anytime.

Backed up by Argentina pair Ezequiel Lavezzi (2/1) and Javier Pastore (5/1), who have both scored against Chelsea before, PSG will still pose danger. Edinson Cavani (7/4) completes the awesome foursome Blanc could unleash on the Blues, with attack perhaps the best form of defence.

Italian duo Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti will want a slow tempo game in the engine room, and highly-rated youngster Adrien Rabiot may join them, as a midfield trio has been the Parisians’ preferred formation in big games.

David Luiz clashes with his former club, and a is a character that divides opinion. Defensive discipline, which was certainly not his strong point at Stamford Bridge, may be key to PSG hopes, though he is a 7/1 shot in the anytime market.