Chelsea Champions League round of 16 preview - odds, prediction and route to the final

Chelsea face PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League this week

Chelsea face a monumental task in a high-stakes reunion with Paris Saint-Germain as the Champions League returns this week.

Currently priced at 25/1 with bet365 to go all the way, the Blues are looking to recapture the magic that saw them dismantle the French giants in the Club World Cup final last summer.

However, under the management of Liam Rosenior, this two-legged affair represents a significant step up in intensity.

Chelsea travel to the Parc des Princes on March 11 as 31/10 underdogs to secure an away win, with PSG firm favourites at 3/4 and the draw at 29/10 . Despite the odds, the form of João Pedro offers hope for a side that remains a formidable force at Stamford Bridge.

Here's everything you need to know about the Champions League knock-out stages for Chelsea in 2026:

The view from Reach PLC's chief Chelsea reporter, Bobby Vincent:

If you had asked me before the draw was made, I would have been quite confident about our chances of progression. However, Chelsea have been handed arguably the toughest challenge possible in Paris Saint-Germain.

While it is true that the Blues humiliated PSG in the Club World Cup final last summer, facing them over two legs is a completely different prospect, and it is going to be really difficult for Liam Rosenior’s side to replicate that success.

The strategy for the first leg at the Parc des Princes has to be about staying in the tie. If Chelsea can leave Paris having conceded at most a one-goal deficit, then it is very much 'game on' for the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

This Chelsea side have already proven they can beat any team on their day in SW6, and the atmosphere for a tense second leg at Stamford Bridge would be incredible.

The battle on the pitch will likely be decided by the form of the key men. For Chelsea, João Pedro has been the standout, while Ousmane Dembélé remains the primary threat for the Parisians.

Beyond this tie, it is hard to look past Arsenal for the trophy. The Gunners are probably the best team in the country at the moment, and their league position certainly reflects that. When you couple their current form with a very favourable draw in the later rounds, it looks like a clear path for Mikel Arteta’s side.

However, it will be interesting to see how they manage the pressure if the Premier League title race goes down to the wire alongside the latter stages of the Champions League. Despite the tough draw, I still think Chelsea have the quality to navigate PSG and potentially reach the semi-finals this year.

Chelsea's potential route to the Champions League final:

Last 16: Paris Saint-Germain

Quarter-finals: Galatasaray or Liverpool

Semi-finals: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich

Final: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Sporting CP, Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham

To win the Champions League odds with bet365 :

Arsenal 5/2

Bayern Munich 11/2

Barcelona 6/1

Man City 8/1

PSG 10/1

Liverpool 10/1

Real Madrid 12/1

Atletico Madrid 20/1

Chelsea 25/1

BAR 28/1

bet365 is committed to Safer Gambling. We promote gambling as an enjoyable leisure activity and we believe that gambling can only remain this way if you stay in control and gamble responsibly.

However, we know that for some people gambling can stop being a harmless leisure activity and become a problem. bet365 has a range of useful tools to help you stay in control of your gambling that can be found at https://responsiblegambling.bet365.com

Help is close at hand. Visit www.gamcare.org.uk or contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

18+. gambleaware.org