With so much to play for at this stage of the season we see sides playing far more expansively in the hope they can unlock defences more often, but in turn this leaves plenty of space for the opposition to exploit. We have three games where we are predicting this to happen so we get both teams scoring and a match result.
Chelsea v PSG – 7.45pm Tuesday
Chelsea to win and BTTS is 3/1 with William Hill
Chelsea should win at home against most sides and I expect them to do so here, whether or not it will be enough to go through, I am not so sure.
Jose Mourinho is playing the same sob story mind games going into the match, stating that his side have no chance of progressing and was quoted saying that Tuesdays task is “almost the impossible job”, despite the Blues winning their last five home games.
We all know that in reality, the Portuguese manager will be planning meticulously to get the players prepared to win and win well. Over the weekend Chelsea scored plenty in their 3-0 demolition of Stoke and a similar result will see a Semi Final place reserved for the London club. Goals from midfield are usually on the menu and Andre Schurrle, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian are all likely to feature at some point and I can see this one being 3-1 with a barnstorming extra time finish.
Despite a 3-1 lead, Paris Saint Germain manager Laurent Blanc will be taking no chances when his side travels to England. When in charge at Bordeaux his side lost 4-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and will be well aware of their capabilities.
An away goal will be vital here for the French side and i think they will get it. Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic being ruled out with a hamstring strain which he suffered in the first leg, it was the man who performed so well last week that is likely to step up and that is Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Lavezzi was brilliant as it was Edinson Cavani who struggled in Paris but I do not expect him to have two poor games in a row- I am going to put my neck out and say that the Uruguayan will score!
Dortmund v Real Madrid -7.45pm Tuesday
Real Madrid to win and BTTS is 5/2 with William Hill
Whenever Dortmund are involved there are goals, in the Bundesliga three quarters of their games see three goals or more and it is likely to be another goal fest on Tuesday night.
Madrid have proven once already they are the better side and I expect them to do so again in Germany however I can see Dortmund putting in a far better performance than the one which saw them leave the Santiago Bernabéu with a 3-0 defeat.
Dortmund have to attack from the start and score goals. Polish striker Lewandowski will be relied on to find the net as he has done all too often in the past. BVB have nothing to lose and will go all out for goals and even though they should get one they are going to be punished on the counter.
Real Madrid have won nine of their last ten games in the Champions League and drew the other, this run has also included five back to back victories. It is a record they will wish to continue as they face a Dortmund side who will be on the hunt for goals. Madrid will likely want to inflict more pain on the German side as they look to avenge the 4-1 they suffered 12 months ago in this exact tie to Dortmund.
Carlos Ancelotti is still in with a chance of a famous treble as Los Blancos compete for La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The Italian manager witnessed his side hammer Real Sociedad 4-0 on Saturday night despite a lacklustre performance and if they can find the net four times on a bad night they are likely to turn it on once more this Tuesday.
Wigan v Millwall – 7.45pm Tuesday
Wigan to win and BTTS is 12/5 with William Hill
Wigan have to keep winning to ensure a Play Off spot is theirs after a great run where the Lactics have been unbeaten at the DW Stadium for 11 games which has catapulted them up the table.
Just when Uwe Rösler took over from the sacked Owen Coyle, Millwall beat his Wigan side 2-1 at the Den and the former Brentford boss will be looking for revenge on Tuesday as well as being fully aware of threat Millwall bring. Both teams scored when they met last and I expect the same but the result to be reversed as Wigan look to secure that opportunity for promotion straight back into the Premier League.
Millwall will take great confidence from their victory away to Nottingham Forest over the weekend and they will need to replicate that a number of times before the season ends if they are to survive for another season in the Championship. I believe a win here is too much of an ask for Ian Holloway and his outfit.
The task Millwall faced against Forest was different as the Tricky Trees have been struggling for some time which resulted in the sacking off Billy Davies. Wigan have been on the up since their exit from Europe and the quality they have in the squad should shine through, although due to Millwall’s situation, the Lions will fight hard for goals. Anticipate a great game for the neutral and a goal for the London side on their way to a defeat.
A £10 stake on this treble will return an enormous £476 with William Hill
