The business end of the Champions League begins this week with 4 matches this week followed by another 4 next week. A couple of the big guns in PSG and Real Madrid get started this week whilst a former Champion not so long ago in Chelsea will be looking to shock their way through the remainder of this competition given their league chances of finishing in the top 4 are very faint. They kick things off this week away to PSG in what is not only a crucial first leg for them but also for all the away sides with home advantage to come in the reverse fixture. As always though, anything can happen and it’s no different in the Champions League.

**Odds from Sportsbet as at 15th Feb

PSG ($1.66) versus Chelsea ($5.9), Draw ($3.8)

Chelsea have some momentum heading into this away leg after a thumping 5-1 win over Newcastle over the weekend. They’ll be under no illusions though as to the level of opposition here in PSG who have been flying in Ligue 1 having not lost a game all season. In fact PSG have only lost once this season in all competitions which came against Real Madrid in their group stage encounter. With that I can’t see Chelsea going too far out of their way to get a victory here knowing perhaps their best chances will come in the second leg. They are on a good run of results under Hiddink since he took over from Mourinho but the wins haven’t really flown in and it’s clear they still have some work and convincing to do. Recent history between the two for me isn’t that relevant in the sense that Chelsea have dropped a peg though I do think this will be a close first leg regardless. Chelsea will be pretty focused defensively whilst PSG should be taking control in this one.

Predicted score: PSG 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.62 (80%)
Next Best: PSG to win at $1.66

Benfica ($2.11) versus Zenit St Petersburg ($3.8), Draw ($3.3)

Another tie here where both sides also met in last season’s competition with Zenit taking both ties out. This first leg is massive for Benfica to get on the board early as heading to Zenit in the 2nd leg will be tough. At home this season in all competitions, Zenit have only lost twice and I think they’ll back themselves to get a positive result in that leg. I think they’ll need to as well given they haven’t played competitively since their away Champions League loss to Gent back in December. Given the Russian league has been on a break, Zenit have really just had some friendlies and whilst Benfica played as recently as the weekend, I think they’ll be the better prepared of the two. Benfica have also been in some really good form – they sit 2nd in their league and before losing to Porto at the weekend, they had been on a 14 game unbeaten run in all competitions including 12 wins and they should bounce back from the weekends loss to get their Champions League knockout period off to a good start.

Predicted score: Benfica 2-1
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $2.23 (80%)
Next Best: Benfica to win either half at $1.6 

Gent ($3.05) versus Wolfsburg ($2.4), Draw ($3.4)

They’ve been a little down in their form lately, but this is surely primed for Wolfsburg to advance to the next stage. Getting through the first leg is of course the first step and they’ll need to step up in order to ensure a positive result heading into the 2nd leg. They do have some momentum heading into this away leg at least though with a win over Ingolstadt at the weekend and they should be able to transfer that into a positive result in this away leg where at the very least they’ll have an away goal. Gent have been in good form domestically sitting equal with Club Brugge at the top of the table but whilst Wolfsburg have been a little patchy in their own league, they will be a step up and should have too much for Gent in this first leg.

Predicted score: Wolfsburg 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.85 (75%)
Next Best: Wolfsburg to win either half at $1.69

Roma ($4.2) versus Real Madrid ($1.86), Draw ($3.8)

Both sides have been in good form recently but it’s difficult to pick anyone other than Real Madrid at this stage of the competition. Roma are coming off a 4 game winning run in the league so will no doubt take some confidence into this tie but Real Madrid certainly won’t be fearful. They themselves are on an undefeated run of 10 games with their most recent a 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid with the usual suspect in Cristiano Ronaldo knocking in 2 goals. This game should produce some goals as well with Roma only keeping 1 clean sheet in their last 8 games and I highly doubt they’ll keep Real Madrid’s ridiculous attacking talents at bay for 90 minutes. Real will advance here and they’ll start with a pretty good win.

Predicted score: Real Madrid 3-1
Best Bet: Real Madrid to win at $1.86 (90%)
Next Best: Over 2.5 goals at $1.62