PSG vs Chelsea: Preview, prediction & how to watch

Paris Saint-Germain will host Chelsea in their crucial first-leg Round of 16 in the Champions League.
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FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-PSG-MONACO | FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

PSG is preparing for the biggest game of their season when they host Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League. The French champions need to win in the first leg by a two-goal margin to give themselves a good chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Chelsea and PSG have had contrasting weeks. The French champions lost 1-3 at home to Monaco last Friday, while Chelsea knocked Wrexham out of the FA Cup on the weekend. The score was (2-2) after 90 minutes, but the Blues did enough in extra time to dispatch Phil Parkinson's side 2-4. Liam Rosenior's side came into the Cup tie with confidence after destroying Aston Villa 1-4 at Villa Park in midweek.

The European champions have underwhelmed in the Champions League this season. They had finished 11th in the table after winning four, drawing two, and losing two of their eight League Phase games. In the knockout phase, they scraped past Monaco 5-4 on aggregate. Luis Enrique's side edged the first leg 2-3 at the Stade Louis II and drew the second leg 2-2 at the Parc des Princes. Chelsea has given a reasonable account of itself in the Champions League, picking up notable wins at home against Barcelona (3-0) and away to Napoli (2-3). They ended the league phase in sixth place.

Here is our PSG vs Chelsea preview in the Champions League.

PSG vs Chelsea: Preview, prediction & lineups

When is the kick-off? Wednesday, 11th March, 2026.

Where is it played? Parc des Princes.

What time is kick-off? 8:00 pm (UK) and 3:00 pm (USA).

Referee: Alejandro Hernandez

How to watch PSG vs Chelsea on TV? TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).

PSG team news:

Luis Enrique will not have a full-strength eleven as Fabian Ruiz (knee) and Quentin Ndjantou (hamstring) are on the treatment table. To make matters worse, Joao Neves is questionable as he is recovering from an ankle problem.

Paris Saint Germain possible starting lineup:

Safonov; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Chelsea team news:

The Blues have a depleted squad, with several players expected to be absent for Wednesday's game. Estevao Willian (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (hamstring), and Levi Colwill (ACL) are nursing different injuries, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended.

Chelsea's possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.

Prediction: PSG 1-1 Chelsea.

Les Parisiens have been underwhelming in Europe this season, struggling against the likes of Newcastle, Sporting, and Bilbao before edging past Monaco in the knockout phase. If they don't improve in Europe, it would be difficult to imagine them winning any game against Chelsea.

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