Clinton Morrison makes bold prediction for PSG vs Chelsea Champions League tie

Clinton Morrison has revealed his prediction for the intriguing Champions League last-16 tie between holders PSG and Club World Cup winners Chelsea.

Chelsea were drawn to face PSG in the first knockout round of the Champions League in what will be a repeat of last summer’s Club World Cup final.

PSG were the heavy favourites to beat Chelsea in America after storming to their first Champions League trophy last season.

But the Premier League side caused an upset, beating PSG 3-0 thanks to Cole Palmer’s first-half brace and a goal from new arrival Joao Pedro.

Chelsea will be hoping for a similar outcome when they face PSG for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the first leg of the last-16 taking place in Paris on Wednesday night.

The Blues go into the European tie sitting fifth in the Premier League, three points outside the Champions League places, while French champions PSG are top of Ligue 1.

PSG have not been as dominant as they were last season, however, and had to go through a play-off game for the second year in a row to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Morrison doubts PSG are the ‘same team’ that stormed to European glory last season and has backed Chelsea to eliminate the Champions League holders.

‘It’s a difficult one but everyone says PSG haven’t been in good form so Chelsea should fancy their chances,’ Morrison told Sky Sports.

‘I don’t think it is the same PSG that we saw win the Champions League last season, I think it is a different team. They found it difficult to qualify in the end.

‘Chelsea are in good form, it is a close one, but I think Chelsea just take this. I really do.

‘PSG are the champions and have outstanding players, but Chelsea’s attacking players can cause them a lot of problems.

‘I’m going to go with Chelsea. There’s no sitting on the fence here, I’m saying it how it is.’

Chelsea legend and former PSG midfielder Claude Makelele has also been previewing the Champions League clash.

Makelele helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles before finishing his career at PSG.

‘Paris will be ready, and Chelsea need to focus on this game and not dream about when they beat them in America in another competition,’ he told Chelsea’s official website.

‘They are young players, talented. A young team needs to show why they are champion players. They have been waiting to play in these types of games in the Champions League. We know Paris are there already.

‘In Paris, the fans are electric. When I played there, they built pressure, proper pressure for their adversaries – and for their own players, also!

‘It will be two teams with similar stories and similar rises. I’m just happy because I will be at both games!’

Chelsea overcame a scare to beat Wrexham in the FA Cup last time out while PSG suffered a shock league defeat at home to Monaco.

The winner of this last-16 tie will face either reigning Premier League champions Liverpool or Turkish leaders Galatasaray in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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