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In the battle of the big-spenders, Adam Bate expects Roberto Di Matteo's European champions to show PSG that the revolution under Carlo Ancelotti will take time

You know you’re getting old when it’s Chelsea that seem like the established super club and it’s their opponents that are making you wince with their astonishing splashing of the cash.

While the Blues continue to spend Roman Abramovich’s money by the millions, it’s Paris Saint-Germain who are really catching the eye this summer with some remarkable signings.

No sooner had Thiago Silva – regarded as one of the best defenders in the world – pitched up at the Parc des Princes than he was soon followed by erstwhile AC Milan team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

With the likes of Jeremy Menez and Javier Pastore already aboard the Qatari-backed gravy train, and with Ezequiel Lavezzi now along for the ride too, it’s set to be a fascinating season for the Paris side.

Under former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, they go into this one as 11/5 (3.2) underdogs and are the same price to come out with a draw.

The reason for that is because, despite their wealth, PSG are facing the European champions.

While the manner of Chelsea’s triumph raised as many eyebrows as champagne glasses around the continent, it’s evident that Roberto Di Matteo’s men have the grit to match their undoubted class.

Although Didier Drogba has left for China on a slow boat for a fast buck, Chelsea have spent big this summer and the signs are that more players are set to follow.

After a confident win over Seattle in midweek, they can be backed to win this at evens (2.0).

In the goalscorers markets, Ibrahimovic and Fernando Torres would ordinarily be considered the favourites to score but neither is expected to be involved at Yankee Stadium.

Instead the best options could be new signings on either side. Eden Hazard will be eager to impress against a team he knows well and is a 9/1 (10.0) pick for this one.

Alternatively, Lavezzi could fancy his chances against Chelsea having netted twice against them for Napoli in the knockout stages of the Champions League back in February.

He is 9/1 (10.0) to score first and that’s the value bet in this one.

But although Lavezzi is a good price, it’s early days for PSG.

With Zlatan on the sidelines and Thiago Silva on Olympic duty with Brazil, it’s worth remembering that – at this stage at least - this ‘dream team’ is a good side on paper rather than on the pitch.

The best bet is still to back Chelsea to win. But if PSG keep spending, what the odds will be if these sides are to meet in the latter stages of this season’s Champions League could yet be the more interesting question.

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Ezequiel Lavezzi to score first at 9/1 (10.0) with William Hill

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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

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