Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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In a repeat of last summer's FIFA Club World Cup final, Paris Saint-Germain host Chelsea in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Below-par
For the second season running, Paris Saint-Germain missed out on the top eight in the league phase and had to navigate their way through the knockout phase play-offs. On this occasion, the recorded a not-exactly-convincing 5-4 aggregate defeat of fellow French side Monaco.
They also lost to those same opponents in their most recent Ligue 1 encounter, so there are one or two question marks around Luis Enrique's side right now.
Chelsea preview: Scoring plenty
It was a more fruitful league phase campaign for Chelsea, who finished sixth in the table to qualify directly for the round of 16.
The Blues have scored eight goals in their last two games in league and cup, and will have fond memories of facing Paris Saint-Germain having beaten them 3-0 in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Joao Neves back?
Joao Neves has trained and is likely to be available after missing his side's last two games, which would leave Fabian Ruiz as the only squad member currently missing through injury.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola will compete for one of the wide forward roles, while Ousmane Dembele could start after taking to the pitch for half an hour in Ligue 1 on Friday.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Ruiz (Injured), Ndjantou (Injured / Not in squad)
Questionable: Joao Neves (Injured)
Chelsea team news: Trio missing
Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens and Estevao have not been included in Chelsea's travelling squad.
Liam Rosenior was tight-lipped as to whether Filip Jorgensen or Robert Sanchez would do the goalkeeper gloves, with the former having been chosen in the most recent Premier League game.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Gittens (Injured), Estevao (Injured)
Questionable:
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea prediction
Although it's true that Paris Saint-Germain were also slow starters last year before ultimately going on to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, it's fair to say they are yet to reach those levels in 2025-26.
Chelsea were one of the more consistent teams in the league phase and have shown they can mix it with Europe's top teams in recent times. They defeated Barcelona 3-0 on Matchday 5 - the same score they defeated Paris Saint-Germain by in last year's Club World Cup final.
With the likes of Joao Pedro in fine goalscoring form, Chelsea look a threat right now, and with Paris Saint-Germain not exactly firing on all cylinders, we can see both teams finding the net in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea Tip: Both teams to score
