Club World Cup Champions Chelsea face an uphill battle at the Bridge against current Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, whom they trail by three goals as a result of last week’s game in Paris.
PSG got the better of the English giants, as they beat them 5-2 in the first leg of this heavyweight European clash. However, just last year, Chelsea thrashed PSG in the final of the Club World Cup 3-0, and have a history of performing when all odds are against them.
Can Cole Palmer and company rewrite history and manoeuver a comeback for the ages, one that hasn’t been seen since the famous Remontada Barcelona managed against PSG thanks to the individual brilliance of Neymar and Messi?
Chelsea will go into battle with European champions PSG, without their club captain, Reece James, who has suffered another hamstring injury and is set for a spell on the sidelines. Chelsea have been without their star central defender, Levi Colwill for most of the season as well, with other members of the squad also being injured at different points of the season.
This, paired with the sudden change in managers and style of play, as well as the shocking accumulation of red cards, an underperforming talisman in Cole Palmer, and bad form, puts a severe halt to Chelsea’s progression chances.
To their advantage, Chelsea also have Brazilian star boy Estevao in their ranks, alongside Joao Pedro in the form of his life. Can either of the two Brazilians manage something similar to what their fellow countryman Neymar did in 2017? Joao Pedro has already famously scored a brace against PSG in the Club World Cup Final back in 2025, and 18-year-old Estevao announced himself on the Champions League stage with a glorious brace against Barcelona back in November 2025.
With the World Cup around the corner, they will be looking to rise to the occasion.
Similarly, Chelsea’s English rivals, Manchester City, lock horns with the Kings of Champions league, Real Madrid, who also hold a significant advantage of three goals to nil. The two sides have faced each other in almost every knockout round of the Champions league this decade, and have given football fans some breathtaking battles and individual performances on the pitch.
These are the sort of matches that give you your money’s worth. Although the tie is currently in Madrid’s favour as they visit the Etihad in Manchester, you can never write off a Pep Guardiola tactical masterclass.
Looking at the overall head-to-head statistics in all competitions between the two clubs, there are five wins each with five draws between the English and Spanish sides. In the 2021-22 season, it was Rodrygo and Benzema’s brilliance that grabbed Madrid from the jaws of defeat; in 2022-23, it was complete dominance from Manchester City lead by Kevin De Bruyne.
In 2023-24, Madrid advanced on penalties after a ferocious encounter, and in last season’s encounter, Kylian Mbappe completely battered Manchester City away with a brilliant hat trick. This season’s encounter has already witnessed the performance of a lifetime by Fede Valverde at the Bernabeau, as he scored a hat trick in the first leg.
All eyes shift to the Etihad Arena tonight as a start-studded encounter takes place. Who will write their name in folklore -- will it be Haaland, Mbappe, Valverde, Rodri, Vini Jr. or some other superstar?
If both English giants do progress, they could eventually face each other in the semi-final round. The winner of the Madrid-Manchester City tie would go on to face the winner between Bayern and Atlanta, and if Manchester City can beat red hot Bayern Munich, who hold a five-goal lead over Atlanta, they would face Chelsea (if all results go their way).
Chelsea, if they manage to knock out PSG, would either face Liverpool or an intimidating Galatasaray crowd in Istanbul. The winner from that tie would eventually face Manchester City if all results go their way.
Chelsea have failed to get the better of the Manchester-based giant since the famous Champions League win in Lisbon all the way back in 2021. Back then all odds were against them, and based on current form and league position the odds would be against them again.
The two sides will also face off in the English Premier League at Stamford Bridge on April 12. It’s a must-win game for both teams as Chelsea look to secure a Champions League spot for next season, currently sitting in 6th position at 48 points, right behind Liverpool, in 5th at 49 points and Aston Villa in 4th at 51 points.
Manchester City, who have had an underwhelming season after the caliber of their signings, still look to steal the English Premier League title from Arsenal as they sit in 2nd place on 61 points. Arsenal are at the top spot at 70 points with one more game played than the challengers.
A crucial business end awaits both Chelsea and Manchester City, who also go into this match week looking to orchestrate a few Champions League miracles. Make sure you tune in tonight to see who emerges victorious from both ties.
