Predicted Lineup vs PSG – Terry & Matic Out, Pedro on the Bench, Rahman & Hazard in Starting XI

Champions League is back, and the first legs of the first set of round-16 games will be played tonight. Chelsea will play at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the tie between the two clubs.

The Blues have nothing left to play for in the domestic league and Champions League and FA Cup represent their only chances to win some silverware this season. On the contrary, PSG have run away with their domestic league this season.

Last year, both teams met each other in the same stage of the competition, and PSG emerged victorious that time.

Team News

Chelsea will be without first-choice centre-back pairing of Kurt Zouma and John Terry due to injuries. Nemanja Matic will not be available as he is suspended for yellow card accumulation.

Radamel Falcao hasn’t been included in Champions League team whereas Alexandre Pato is still short on match fitness.

Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper:

Thibaut Courtois will be the custodian of Chelsea’s goal.

Defence:

Guus Hiddink will be forced to play a makeshift defence in the absence of his first-choice centre-back pairing. Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic will form the centre-back pairing. Cesar Azpilicueta will feature in the right back position while Baba Rahman will play as a left-back in the most important game of his Chelsea career.

Midfield:

In the absence of Nemanja Matic, John Obi Mikel and Cesc Fabregas will form the midfield partnership for the Blues.

Oscar will feature in the number ten role.

Attack:
Pedro scored a brace in the 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United on Saturday but expect Eden Hazard to feature on the left wing in this game. Willian has pretty much cemented his place on the right wing.

Diego Costa will lead the attacking lines for the West London club.

Line-up: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Rahman, Mikel, Fabregas, Oscar, Hazard, Costa, Willian.