Paris Saint-Germain welcome Chelsea to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday evening.
PSG edged rivals Monaco 5-4 in the play-offs, while Chelsea advanced to this stage automatically, having finished sixth in the league phase.
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Match preview
This is the first meeting between the two sides since the FIFA 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.
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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.
Across nine meetings with PSG, Chelsea have won two, drawn four, and lost three.
Team news
Fabian Ruiz remains sidelined for the hosts, while Joao Neves is expected to be fit in time to feature after missing the last two games.
Chelsea will be without Estevao, Jamie Gittens and long-term absentee Levi Colwill. Wesley Fofana is doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
PSG (4-3-3): Matvey Safonov, Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi, João Neves, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Filip Jorgensen, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.
Prediction
We fancy a 2-2 draw.
Stats from whoscored.com & fotmob
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