Champions League preview and odds: Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

Published on: 15/02/2016

Champions League preview and odds: Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

February 16, 2016 19:45pm - Parc de Princes

Champions League - Round of 16, First leg

PSG and Chelsea will face off in the Champions League knockout stages for the third season in succession when the teams meet at the Parc de Princes on Tuesday night.

PSG unbeaten in 23 games

Since losing 1-0 to Real Madrid back in November, PSG have gone on a 23-game unbeaten run in all competitions, winning 21 and drawing two. They have yet to be beaten in the French league this term, and have opened up and incredible 24-point gap at the top of the table.

In last years Champions League competition, they edged past Chelsea on the away goals rule after playing out 1-1 (home) and 2-2 (away) draws. The season before, it was the English side who progressed, also on away goals.

Laurent Blanc`s men are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the fourth season in a row. They qualified as runners-up behind Real Madrid in Group A.

League improvement bodes well for Blues

After a Premier League season to forget, the Champions League may bring some welcome relief for Gus Hiddink and his Chelsea players. Since the Dutchman arrived for his second spell at Stamford Bridge, the Londoners have remained unbeaten in all competitions but are still stuck in the bottom half of the table.

They progressed to the knockout round of the Champions League after finishing top of Group G, and will now be looking to make their seventh quarter-final appearance in 10 years.

Team news

The home side will be without the injured Serge Aurier, while Marco Verratti remains a doubt.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will be without Radamel Falcao, while Ramires and John Terry are both on the doubtful list.

Recent form (All competitions)

Paris Saint-Germain: DWWWW

Chelsea: WDDWW

Betting odds and tips

The home side are in irresistible form, with the 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid the only black mark on their record book in all competitions this term. At home, they have not lost a competitive match since they were beaten by Barcelona in April 2015.

Chelsea are enjoying a mini-revival but it is hard to see them getting a result against a Paris side brimming with confidence. A draw would be a massive result for the Blues.

The home win looks like a good bet at 7/10 with Bet365.

In the Anytime Goalscorer market, Zlatan Ibrahimovic can be backed at 21/20 - also with Bet365.

The enigmatic 34-year-old striker already has 23 goals to his name this season.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 15/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/02/2016 13:42:04) but are subject to change.