PSG vs Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

These clubs last met in the FIFA Club World Cup final as the Blues won 3-0. However, the Blues have kept just three clean sheets in their last 21 matches.

PSG Form

PSG’s form is below par right now. In their last 13 matches, they have just seven wins with four losses. Their lead at the top of Ligue 1 has been cut to just one point. After destroying rivals Marseille 5-0, they went to Rennes and lost 3-1. A 3-2 win at ten-man Monaco followed in the Champions League.

PSG beat Metz 3-0 and drew 2-2 vs Monaco in the Champions League playoff second leg. After a 1-0 win at Le Havre with 3.82 xG produced, they lost 3-1 at home to Monaco in the league last Friday. PSG dominated the shot count 20-11, but looked vulnerable defensively.

PSG Team News

Coach Luis Enrique looks set to be without Fabian Ruiz in midfield once again. However, Joao Neves has shaken off a knock and could start in central midfield.

Ousmane Dembele will return to the XI and is set to play up front. Marquinhos is tipped to replace Ilya Zabarnyi in central defence.

PSG Motivation

PSG are fully focused on the Champions League. They looked distracted in their last match. PSG don’t play between the first and second legs, so all energy is on this competition.

PSG will look to dominate possession and control the match. They will expect to win the home leg and will try for a victory by more than one goal.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea won seven of their first nine matches in all competitions under Liam Rosenior, but they’ve won just thee of their last six. In the league, it’s just one win in the last four rounds of action. A 2-2 home draw vs Leeds came after leading 2-0 and outshooting Leeds 19-4. A 4-0 win at Hull City followed in the FA Cup.

A 1-1 draw at home to Burnley came with ten men as a late set-piece goal was leaked. The Blues lost 2-1 away to Arsenal after another red card. Two wins have followed. A fine performance saw a 4-1 win away at Aston Villa. On Saturday, they needed extra time to see off Wrexham in a 4-2 win in the FA Cup.

Chelsea Team News

Marc Cucurella is fit to return to the starting XI at left back. Centre back Levi Colwill is ruled out whilst this match comes too soon for wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao.

After mass rotation at Wrexham, there are expected to be 10 changes to the XI. Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are competing to start down the left wing. Reece James could once again be used in midfield.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues are highly motivated for this match. They will have the belief that they can knock PSG out after beating the Parisians 3-0 in the Club World Cup.

A draw from this first leg would be a great result. Rosenior’s side won’t play defensively, though.

Key Stats

• PSG have progressed from their last 2 UCL KO ties vs Chelsea
• PSG have won just 3 of their last 6 home matches (2 draws, 1 loss)
• Chelsea have kept just 3 clean sheets in their last 21 matches (Both Teams Scored in 17/21)
• Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has scored 10 goals in his last 10 matches

Verdict

This should be a highly entertaining match with goals for both sides. Chelsea may spring a surprise and leave Paris with a draw.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals at 1.85

Alternate Bet: Chelsea win/draw double chance + Both Teams to Score at 2.70

Goalscorer Tip: Joao Pedro to score anytime at 3.25