Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are set to renew hostilities on Tuesday when the Blues travel to the French capital in the first leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie.
Last season, it was PSG who saw off the Blues, eliminating them from the European Cup at the same stage, and the Pensioners will be desperate for a measure of revenge this time around.
While both sides are the reigning champions of their respective nations, they are in the midst of very different domestic campaigns.
Paris currently hold a 24-point advantage over the chasing pack in Ligue 1, and look almost guaranteed to retain their title following a dominant campaign. Indeed, Laurent Blanc’s side are yet to lose a league game this season, drawing only four matches.
Chelsea, by contrast, can only dream of retaining their domestic crown, and are in the midst of a miserable season. While interim coach Guus Hiddink is currently overseeing a superb undefeated streak, the Blues remain in the bottom half of the table, having amassed only 33 points from their opening 26 matches—losing nine.
The west Londoners remain 14 points off the top four, and it looks likely that their best bet of qualifying for next year’s Champions League is by winning this edition.
SEE MORE:
Serge Aurier: Disgraced PSG defender set for crunch talks on Monday after abusing his teammates on social media
Chelsea superstar linked to Real Madrid move admits he’d find it hard to refuse Euro giants
John Terry replacements named for Champions League roster
With John Terry and Kurt Zouma both injured, we’re expecting Branislav Ivanovic to partner Gary Cahill in the heart of the defence ahead of Thibaut Courtois, with Abdul Rahaman Baba on the left and Cesar Azpilicueta shifting over to the right.
Nemanja Matic is suspended, so expect John Obi Mikel—rested at the weekend—to partner Cesc Fabregas.
An attacking front four may be enjoying mixed campaigns, but on their day, the quartet of Oscar, Willian, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa could prove devastating in the French capital.