For the second consecutive UEFA Champions League campaign, Chelsea will again have to find their way past Paris Saint-Germain if they wish to book their ticket to the quarter-finals. Last time around, the task facing Jose Mourinho's men was certainly much harder. The Blues had departed Paris after suffering a 3-1 loss, meaning that they had it all to do upon the second leg at Stamford Bridge. PSG fans were certainly feeling pretty confident that they had already secured their spot in the final eight, despite conceding an away goal that would prove to be their downfall.
Without talismanic attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Les Parisiens were unable to offer much going forward offensively as the 2012 Champions League winners successfully shut them out 2-0 in order to move on at the expense of the Ligue 1 champions. This time, though, Ibrahimovic will be fit to feature, and given his poor record against English sides, the 33-year-old Swedish star will be keen on proving his doubters wrong as he continues to chase the one club title that has eluded him over and over again - a Champions League winners' medal.
Chelsea and PSG have met in a total of three Champions League tournaments so far. The first was back during the 2004/2005 edition in which the Blues dispatched their opponents 3-0 at the Parc des Princes before a 0-0 stalemate in their second group stage match. In fact, the French powerhouse have only beaten Chelsea once in all competitions, including friendlies, and that was during last season's round of 16 first leg.
Both teams are chasing several trophies this season, but for the hosts, given their relatively comfortable lead at the pinnacle of the Premier League table, they can certainly throw a bit more effort into their European aspirations. Mourinho's troops will also come into this game much more well-rested than Laurent Blanc's side, as the last game they played was a scrappy 1-0 win over West Ham on March 4th.
On the other hand, Les Parisiens, who are fighting tooth and nail to maintain their league winners' title, cruised to a 4-1 win over Lens on March 7th and as a result will certainly be feeling more worn out than their English opponents.
In terms of personnel, Blanc will again have to deal with a couple of injuries with Lucas Moura and Serge Aurier still on the treatment table. And he will certainly hope that his attackers do much better in London tonight as they needed a second-half goal from Edinson Cavani to keep one foot still in the tie after Branislav Ivanovic had scored a very crucial away goal for his team.
Mourinho, who will be seeing several of his former players, including Ibra, Thiago Motta and David Luiz - who is especially keen on stoking the fires by his recent statements - should have pretty much a full squad available at his disposal. Nigerian international John Obi Mikel is still out with a knee injury but Serbian midfield enforcer Nemanja Matic has completed his two match ban so will be eligible to take to the pitch.
However, with the 26-year-old having suffering an ankle injury after an embarrassing fall whilst celebrating his team's Capital One Cup triumph, Blues fans will be definitely pleased he has returned to full training as they hope to again find a way past a familiar adversary en route to the final in Berlin.
With the tie poised on a knife's edge, this will be a clash that both fans and neutrals alike will certainly not want to miss as London battles Paris in what should be a truly entertaining game from start to finish.
Team sheets for Chelsea vs PSG
Chelsea's lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Ramires, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
PSG's lineup: Sirigu, Silva, Marquinhos, Maxwell, David Luiz, Motta, Matuidi, Verrati, Pastore, Cavani, Ibrahimovic.
Chelsea's subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Willian, Cuadrado, Remy, Drogba.
PSG's subs: Douchez, Camara, Digne, Van der Wiel, Rabiot, Bahebeck, Lavezzi.
