Anelka predicts English treble

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka believes his team will beat Juventus in their Champions League last-16 clash – and that Manchester United and Arsenal will have similar success against Italian opposition.

United face Inter Milan, while Arsenal take on Roma and Anelka is confident it will be the English sides who reach the quarter-finals rather than their Serie A counterparts.

However, the France forward is well aware that Chelsea will have to contain the threat of his former international team-mate David Trezeguet who is back playing after a lengthy injury lay-off.

“It’s really bad news for us,” Anelka told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I admire David, a goalscorer like few others, he was born to score.

“If you give him half a chance in the area he will take it. It’s going to be a very tough match, Juve are a really top team. Against Italian sides it’s always hard, tactically they’re the best in Europe.

“If Chelsea don’t find their feet, don’t score a goal, we will be risking a lot. We have to score in the first leg, and especially not concede, so we can play for it all in Turin. Juve are right up there with Inter. (Alessandro) Del Piero is an inexhaustible talent. (Pavel) Nedved, (Gianluigi) Buffon all of them.

“To beat this Juve, Chelsea have to put the maximum effort in.”

He added: “If I had to bet though I think it will end 3-0 to the English sides. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will all progress.

“Just look at history. But anything can happen.”