PSG vs Chelsea – Match Preview

Chelsea captain John Terry will miss the Champions League last-16 first leg at Paris St-Germain on Tuesday with a hamstring injury.

The defender, 35, has not travelled after limping out of Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League win against Newcastle.

Brazil midfielder Oscar (calf) returns to Guus Hiddink’s squad, which also includes young defenders Matt Miazga and Jake Clarke-Salter.

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva will return after being rested.

Editor’s Note: This tie is pretty much all or nothing if Chelsea are to have any chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Any hope of a Top 4 place in the Premier League has long since evaporated so they are going to have to do things the hard way if they want to feature  in next year’s edition of the competition.

Since Guus Hiddink has taken charge for a second interim spell the ship has certainly been steadied at Stamford Bridge with Hiddink yet to taste defeat but the unbeaten streak will be put under some serious pressure this evening.

The Blues looked back to their title winning best of last season on Saturday night as they steamrollered past a hapless Newcastle 5-1. But that comfortable win came at a price with John Terry now adding to the Centre Back woes at Chelsea. I would expect Branislav Ivanovic to pair up with Gary Cahill tonight and Cesar Azpilicueta moving to Right Back to allow Baba Rahman to slot in at Left Back.

Not quite the first choice back four that Hiddink would have liked to have used against the firepower of PSG but when you’re missing both your first choice Centre Backs then you’re going to be up against it from the start. Ivanovic has looked more assured since Hiddink’s return and has been awarded a new contract to boot but he’s going to have to keep his work cut out to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company at bay.

Ibrahimovic was rested on Saturday as PSG were held to a rare draw at home to Lille. The stalemate won’t do all that much harm in terms of the Ligue 1 title race with it all but sewn up but it was a frustrating Afternoon in terms of the betting coupon (that draw cost yours truly £60 – thanks Laurent!)

It’s the third time in a row in which these two sides have met, with the score at one a piece. Chelsea disposing of PSG in 2014 to move into the Semi Finals. while PSG got the revenge last season with an away goals win at Stamford Bridge. Who will get the edge in this trilogy of battles?

I think PSG will have one of their first real tests of the season due to way they are racing to glory with relative ease in France, although Chelsea aren’t the powerhouse they were last season they really need to win this tie, it’s almost a Cup Final for them. But their Defence is going to be asked some big questions tonight, ones I don’t think they will be able to answer.

The tie won’t be won or lost Tonight but an advantage will certainly be gained and I think Laurent Blanc’s side will get their noses in front for the return leg at Stamford Bridge. A home win for me.