Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea Champions League preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, form, coaches' thoughts

After defeating Monaco in the knockout phase play-offs, the next test for holders Paris is Chelsea.

Where to watch on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What you need to know

These sides contested two round of 16 ties in the 2010s with Paris progressing on both occasions. The first, in 2015, was settled by Thiago Silva's extra-time header, which levelled the aggregate scores at 3-3 but gave Paris the edge on away goals. The French side then won 2-1 home and away in the following year with Zlatan Ibrahimović on target in both legs.

Much has changed since – Thiago Silva became a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021 while Ibrahimović retired in 2023 – but both clubs remain every bit as ambitious and talented. Chelsea are back in action after an impressive league phase tilt including wins over Barcelona and Napoli, while Paris overcame a dogged Monaco in the play-offs, showing off the knockout phase nous that helped them to their first title last season.

Possible line-ups

Paris: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Barcola

Chelsea: Jørgensen; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Palmer, Fernández, Pedro Neto; João Pedro

Form guide

Paris

Form: LWDWWL (most recent result first)
Latest: Paris 1-3 Monaco, 06/03, French Ligue 1

Chelsea

Form: WWLDWD
Latest: Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea, aet, 07/03, FA Cup

Views from the camps

Luis Enrique, Paris coach: "Winning the first Champions League is very difficult, but for the second everyone knows that we can do it. But it's still not easy. We know Chelsea very well, we faced them last summer, although they've changed coach and players. We know the difficulty of this type of match but we're aiming to be ready to win.

"We prefer to have the ball more than our opponents, but they play very effectively. I hope that we can stay calm. Sometimes in this type of match excess motivation can be a problem. We know what type of match we want to play, and we know how to manage that with our experience."

Liam Rosenior, Chelsea coach: "PSG are a fantastic team. I have experience of playing against them in France, and they are a team I’ve always admired. I think Luis Enrique has done an incredible job there. These are the games you live for and come into football for. It’s going to be a great tie between two fantastic teams. I’m really, really looking forward to it."

Reporter's view

Alex Clementson, match reporter

There was a sense that Paris' knockout play-off double-header with Monaco would spark an upturn in form reminiscent of the one that saw them romp to a maiden Champions League crown last season, but a victory fraught with jeopardy has tempered expectations somewhat. They're into the round of 16 for the 14th successive season, though, and they'll want to channel that experience against a Chelsea side that felled them in the summer. Liam Rosenior knows this Paris outfit well from his time at Strasbourg and will hope to engineer the marquee win of a tenure that has started prosperously at Stamford Bridge.