PSG vs Chelsea Champions League preview, team news and prediction

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Chelsea face a major test on Wednesday night as they travel to the Parc des Princes to take on Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

This marks the first meeting between the sides since the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where Cole Palmer starred in Chelsea’s 3-0 triumph over PSG in the United States.

PSG, who lifted their first Champions League trophy last season, had a more challenging group stage this term, finishing 11th in the League Phase and forced into the knockout round playoffs. After dropping points to Athletic Bilbao, Sporting Lisbon, and Newcastle, Luis Enrique’s men edged past Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, drawing 2-2 at home in the second leg.

Domestically, PSG’s form has been inconsistent, following a narrow 1-0 win at Le Havre with a 3-1 home defeat to Monaco—allowing Lens to close the gap at the top of Ligue 1 to just a single point with nine games remaining. PSG have been given a break from league action this weekend to focus on their 14th consecutive Champions League last-16 appearance, aiming to win a sixth straight two-legged tie in Europe’s premier competition.

PSG boast a strong record against English clubs, losing just once in their last eight UEFA encounters (W5 D2), and winning their last three two-legged ties against Premier League sides—eliminating Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal in last season’s knockout rounds.

Chelsea, one of six English teams in the last 16, finished sixth in the League Phase with five wins from eight matches. Since their comeback win over Napoli in January, the Blues have won five of nine games across all competitions, including a recent 4-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa and a 4-2 extra-time win against Wrexham in the FA Cup.

Head coach Liam Rosenior is tasked with maintaining momentum as Chelsea chase a top-five Premier League finish and a deep Champions League run—their last triumph coming in 2021. Rosenior has experience against PSG from his time at Strasbourg, including a 2-1 home win last October.

Chelsea have an impressive record against French opposition, winning their last six UEFA encounters and two of their last five two-legged ties against Ligue 1 clubs. They’ve also prevailed in their last three Champions League last-16 ties and 13 of their last 16 UEFA knockout rounds.

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PSG will be without Fabian Ruiz (knee) and Quentin Ndjantou (hamstring) due to injury. Joao Neves, sidelined for the last three games with an ankle problem, has made progress and could return on Wednesday pending a late fitness test. Coach Luis Enrique must decide whether to recall captain Marquinhos—an unused substitute in the last two matches—or continue with Illia Zabarnyi and William Pacho at centre-back. Ousmane Dembele, who returned as a substitute against Monaco after a calf injury, has scored a team-high 11 goals and may start in attack alongside Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

For Chelsea, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens (both hamstring), Levi Colwill (ACL), and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) are all unavailable. Wesley Fofana (thigh) is expected to return to partner Trevoh Chalobah in central defense. Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos—both a booking away from suspension—could start in midfield with Moises Caicedo, while Cole Palmer may move to the right if Fernandez plays further forward. In-form Joao Pedro, with 11 goals in his last 12 games, is set to replace Liam Delap up front, while Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho vie for a spot on the left wing.

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