Chelsea vs PSG Betting Preview

Kick off: Wednesday, March 9,19:45 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)

Head to head record

PSG vs Chelsea 2-1 (2015/2016 Champions League)
PSG vs Chelsea 1-1 (2015 International Champions Cup)
Chelsea vs PSG 2-2 (2014/2015 Champions League)
PSG vs Chelsea 1-1 (2014/2015 Champions League)
Chelsea vs PSG 2-0 (2013/2014 Champions League)

Chelsea vs PSG betting prediction

A place in the Champions League quarter-finals will be at stake when Chelsea and PSG take on each other at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening. The Blues face a must-win situation in the second leg, but beating the star-studded French side is easier said than done.

Only a win counts for Chelsea

By beating Porto 2-0 in their final group game Chelsea set up a meeting with their old rivals PSG in the Champions League last 16. The Blues were outplayed by les Parisiens at Parc des Princes (1-2) in the first leg, meaning that they need to adopt an attack-minded approach in the return leg if they are to advance to the quarter-finals of the elite competition. The Premier League team have been producing outstanding showings ever since Guus Hiddink took over the reins and the fans obviously have faith in the Dutch tactician. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea failed to eliminated PSG in the 2015/2016 Champions League knockout stages and the Stamford Bridge outfit do not want history to repeat itself. Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the weekend, but it has to be noted that Diego Costa missed the Premier League clash. The former Atletico Madrid forward returns to contention and the opposition defenders should find it hard to contain the pacey footballer.

Radamel Falcao and Kurt Zouma remain in the treatment room, while Jonh Terry is unlikely to recover in time to face PSG. Aforementioned attacker Diego Costa should be recalled to the starting XI.

Cavani’s goal could be crucial

PSG created a number of clear-cut opportunities to score in the first leg and they totally deserved to beat Chelsea at their Parc des Princes. Edinson Cavani scored a late winner for Laurent Blanc’s troops, but their job is half done. Les Parisiens need to defend their slim lead in the return leg, but Wednesday’s match against Chelsea will be anything but a walk in the park for the visitors. Laurent Blanc rested his key players in Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash against Montpellier, but, no doubt, the French tactician is going to field the best possible side in the Champions League showdown against Guus Hiddink’s troops. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored from the free-kick in the first leg, should be recalled to the starting line-up after coming as a substitute in the goalless draw with Montpellier, and all eyes will be on the Swedish attacker when the two big-spending teams face each other in London.

Serge Aurier is banned, while Marco Verratti and Javier Pastore are both rated doubtful. Zlatan Ibrahimovic should lead the line for the visitors, alongside Angel Di Maria and Lucas Moura.

Interesting Facts

• Chelsea have suffered only one loss under Guus Hiddink this season
• Both teams scored in each of their previous four meetings
• Blues are on a ten-game unbeaten run at home
• PSG are eyeing their fourth consecutive win in the Champions League
• The Saints netted eight goals in last three away fixtures in Europe

Chelsea vs PSG betting pick

Given that Stamford Bridge will host Wednesday’s clash between Chelsea and PSG, there is every chance we will see a close encounter this time out. In their last meeting in London the two teams played out a 2-2 draw (extra time) and taking into account that les Parisiens will be satisfied with the share of spoils, I believe that there is a certain value in betting on draw.

Pick: Draw

Odds: 12/5