Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Chelsea to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday evening.

They defeated Ligue 1 rivals Monaco 5-4 in the knockout round play-offs, while Chelsea advanced to this stage after finishing sixth in the league phase.

Match preview

This is the first meeting between the two sides since the Club World Cup final, where Chelsea won 3-0.

PSG have struggled for consistency this season due to injuries and a dip in the form of key players. Last Friday’s 3-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Monaco highlighted those struggles.

The defending champions missed automatic qualification by just two points after collecting 14 points from eight games in the league phase.

PSG have won just once in their last four games in the competition and have come out on top in two of their last five home matches.

Chelsea head into this clash off the back of an unconvincing 4-2 victory at Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round.

Only three teams bettered Chelsea’s five victories in the league phase. However, they have won just once on the road in the competition.

The Blues will be encouraged by their performance against PSG last time out and the hosts’ own struggles.

Chelsea have won two, drawn four and lost three of their nine meetings with PSG.

Team news

Fabian Ruiz is sidelined for the hosts, but Joao Neves is expected to be fit after missing the last two games.

Chelsea will be without Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Levi Colwill. Wesley Fofana is doubtful.

Predicted line-ups

PSG (4-3-3): Matvey Safonov, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Filip Jorgensen, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.

Prediction

We fancy a 2-2 draw.

Stats from whoscored.com & fotmob.