Chelsea
host PSG on Wednesday night in their Champions League last-16 second-leg
clash with the comfort of a vital away goal.
Branislav Ivanovic scored for the Blues in the 1-1 draw in Paris three weeks
ago, before Edinson Cavani's second-half equaliser kept the French side
firmly in the tie.
Chelsea overturned a two-goal deficit at the quarter-final stage against PSG
last season, winning the second leg 2-0 having been defeated 3-1 at the Parc
des Princes.
It took a late Demba Ba strike to see them through that night, but Jose
Mourinho will be hoping for a calmer passage into the last eight this time
around.
Laurent Blanc's PSG have won three and drawn one of their four games since
the February meeting, sitting a point behind leaders Lyon in Ligue 1.
Team news
Midfielder Nemanja Matic is available for Chelsea after serving a two-match
suspension. The midfielder is poised for an immediate return after missing
the Capital One Cup final defeat of Tottenham and Premier League win at West
Ham for his sending-off against Burnley.
John Obi Mikel (knee) is the only definite injury absentee for the contest,
which is poised at 1-1 following the first leg three weeks ago.
Right-back Serge Aurier (hamstring) and winger Lucas Moura (knee) remain
sidelined for the Parisians while former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan
Cabaye looks set for a possible as he bids to return from a thigh injury.
Stats
Chelsea are one of three teams still unbeaten in this season’s Champions
League, alongside Porto and Real Madrid.
Chelsea are unbeaten at home against French opposition, all encounters
taking place in the Champions League (W4 D2). They have kept five clean
sheets in those six games.
Chelsea have scored in each of their last 18 Champions League home games.
The last time they failed to find the net at Stamford Bridge was in April
2011 against Manchester United.
Chelsea only had two shots in the first leg against Paris SG. Their second
and last attempt was Branislav Ivanovic’s goal in the 36th minute.
PSG have never scored an away goal against an English side in European
competition (5 games).
Cavani has scored six goals in seven Champions League games this season, his
most prolific campaign in the competition. Five of his six games in the
knockout stages of the Champions League have been against Chelsea (with
Napoli and PSG) – he was knocked out both times previously.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored seven goals in 34 Champions League knockout
games (one every 4.9 games) as opposed to 36 in 73 games in the group stages
(one every 2 games).
Eden Hazard has been fouled 28 times, more than any other player in the
Champions League this season. Nine of those came in the first-leg against
Paris SG, a record in a CL game this season.
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