PSG Deserve to Start as Favourites Against Chelsea in the Champions League

On Monday morning, the UEFA Champions League draw saw Paris Saint-Germain drawn against Chelsea for the third year running.

Instant reaction to the draw wasn’t great, with many greeting the tie with a sense of repetition and boredom. However, after the first two results were evenly split between the two sides, this meeting in the round of 16 gives each team a chance to grab the advantage.

"

Chelsea again! PSG will face the Blues & Jose Mourinho once more. Boring... #UCLdraw

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) December 14, 2015"

It’s playground rules when they meet again over two legs starting in February, with the score tied at one game—best out of three wins. The main difference this year being that Laurent Blanc’s side should begin as favourites to reach the quarter-finals.

"

#PSG will start as favourites against #Chelsea. Beat them last season (albeit narrowly) and have improved since. #CFC struggling, meanwhile.

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) December 14, 2015"

Blanc knows a lot can change over the next few months, and speaking to the official PSG website after the draw, he was reluctant to admit they start in pole position:

He said:

"

It's the third time we play Chelsea. The advantage is that we know each other well, but they also know us.

It will be a great tie between two attractive sides. We can't wait, even if the matches aren't until February.

There are a lot of matches between now and then, including a very tough month of January. It will be a very tough fixture list and I hope everyone will be fit and raring to go against Chelsea to fulfil our ambitions. We showed last year we are competitive, and we are again this year.

Chelsea have a few problems at the moment, but they remain a great club with a great coach.

"

After beating Chelsea on away goals last season, PSG have improved and find themselves in a stronger domestic position too. Angel Di Maria, signed from Manchester United this summer, has settled into the attack and has become integral to Blanc’s system.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The Argentinian has scored four times and picked up nine assists in the league so far, adding a further three strikes in the Champions League group stage. Although Mourinho will know the player very well, Di Maria is the biggest difference to what Chelsea will have to deal with come February.

At this stage of the season, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in the most productive form he has shown over the last 18 months. In his last 16 games, the talismanic forward has scored 14 goals and contributed six assists.

PSG were able to beat Chelsea on away goals after Ibrahimovic saw red at Stamford Bridge last season, and they will hope that their star man will be fully fit going into the two legs next year—in stark contrast to the current form of Mourinho’s star man from last term, Eden Hazard, who has scored no goals in the league or Champions League.

PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaïfi commented on PSG’s Official website after the draw:

"

Like I have already said, we need to be able to beat everyone and go as far as possible in this competition.

Chelsea are a great team who have already won the Champions League. We have a lot of respect for them.

We are playing Chelsea for the third year in a row. It's become something of a Classique for us. I'm delighted for the fans that will get two great matches at the Parc des Princes and Stamford Bridge. We will be ready.

"

With a 17-point lead in Ligue 1, there is no doubt that PSG will be rested and rejuvenated for the round-of-16 clash with the London club—no matter the state that Chelsea find themselves in February, PSG will start the tie as favourites to advance.

If the French champions want to be considered as one of Europe’s elite clubs, this is a fixture they need to win, and perhaps, without the aid of away goals.