Chelsea return to Champions League action, and the task couldn’t be much harder as they come up against the reigning European Champions, PSG.
Form Guide and Match Context
PSG enjoyed a strong start to their Champions League campaign during the League stage of the tournament.
Grabbing impressive and dominating wins against Atalanta, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen.
But since that three-game stretch of wins, form started to look a little inconsistent. Defeats to Bayern Munich and Sporting, as well as draws with Athletic Bilbao and Newcastle meant that Luis Enrique’s men had to overcome fellow French side, Monaco to progress to the Round of 16.
A narrow win at Stade-Louis II was enough to overcome their counterparts, and set up a date with Chelsea.
PSG suffered a disappointing loss in Ligue 1 just before this game to Monaco, losing 1-3 to the very team they knocked out of the Champions League.
The Parisians will be filled with confidence with their impressive home record in Ligue 1 this season though (W10, D1, L1).
Meanwhile, Chelsea also found their Champions League campaign filled with inconsistency.
Starting things off with a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich, but then picking things up with a narrow win over Benfica and a dominant win over Ajax.
Disappointing results to Qarabag and Atalanta threatened the Blues’ league position. But hard-fought wins over Barcelona, Pafos and Napoli away allowed them a position in the Top 8.
Although, Chelsea’s away form in Europe this season is less than to be desired (L2, D1, W1).
Spirits have been high at Cobham recently with an important 1-4 win over rivals Aston Villa, and a FA Cup quarter-final place booked following a 2-4 win over Wrexham.
Head-to-head insight
The Parc des Princes has been a notoriously tough ground for Chelsea to visit, and they will hope to improve their record there tomorrow.
The Blues have only won in Paris once, all the way back in 2004. It was the first meeting between the two sides in Europe, and Chelsea won 0-3 thanks to a Didier Drogba brace and John Terry goal.
The other meetings haven’t gone as well, with only 1 draw and 2 defeats against the Paris side.
Stats to Know
- 8 of PSG’s 10 Champions League games this season have seen both teams score in the match.
- 4 of PSG’s last six competitive wins have come by a one-goal margin.
- Every Champions League away fixture Chelsea have played, featured both teams scoring in the match.
- Chelsea have scored in every Champions League fixture this season.
Players to Watch & Team News
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the danger man for PSG. The winger has made 7 goal contributions in the Champions League this season, 4 of which have come in PSG’s last 6 UCL games.
For Chelsea, it’s Joao Pedro who the Paris defence will need to keep quiet. The Brazilian is in red hot form right now. Scoring 5 goals across his last four games for the Blues, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa.
PSG might be without Fabian Ruiz for this game, due to a persistent knee issue. Joao Neves remains a doubt for the Chelsea clash, but there is a chance he could return in the match.
Chelsea’s injury list is a little more severe. Heading into the Parc des Princes, Estevao is injured through a hamstring problem.
While Jamie Gittens is also expected to be unavailable for the trip to Paris as well. Levi Colwill, although trained with the players today, it looks to be too soon for a return for the English defender.
Potential Lineups
PSG: 4-3-3 – Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 – Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Where to watch
United Kingdom: TNT Sports
United States: Paramount+
Canada: DAZN
India: FanCode
Australia: Stan Sport
Nigeria: SuperSport
Conclusion and Prediction
Both sides have been inconsistent in the Champions League this season. So, the outcome will be tough to call. Chelsea’s injuries won’t help, especially with Estevao and Jamie Gittens out injured.
If the Blues want to break their bad form in Paris, then they will need their in-form players to be firing at their best. Particularly Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.
We saw the tremendous partnership between the two on display in the Club World Cup final against PSG, if those two are at their best then Liam Rosenior’s men will be difficult to stop in attack.
Chelsea’s main concern will be the defence, it has been a weakness of the London side’s this season. With many weak and quite frankly weird goals being conceded during the season.
If Chelsea can get their main attackers firing, then PSG will have a tough job on their hands.
Score Prediction: PSG 1-2 Chelsea
