Preview: Chelsea Women vs. Paris Saint-Germain Women
Chelsea Women and Paris Saint-Germain Women will battle over top spot of their Women’s Champions League group when they go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
While both sides have already qualified for the quarter-finals, the English champions currently sit three points clear of PSG
After failing to reach the knockout rounds last season, Chelsea have made light work of a potentially tricky group this term.
They have won four and drawn one of their five group games, including a commanding 4-0 win over Vllaznia last week that sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
Sophie Ingle, Fran Kirby, Katerina Svitkova and Maren Mjelde all got on the scoresheet to secure a comfortable victory in Albania that leaves Chelsea three points clear of PSG at the top of the group.
While Chelsea know that they only need to avoid defeat by two goals or more to make sure of first place, they will also be determined to continue their impressive run of form.
The Blues are currently unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions, and they also have the chance to claim a third consecutive win on Thursday.
Like their hosts, PSG also booked their place in the knockout rounds last week when they edged out Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes.
Elisa de Almeida opened the scoring before Kadidiatou Diani doubled PSG’s advantage from the spot on the hour mark, and although Claudia Zornoza pulled a goal back in the 81st minute, the French side held firm to claim a narrow 2-1 victory.
With three points separating them from Chelsea, PSG know that they will need to win by a margin of two goals or more to leapfrog the English champions.
Since losing 1-0 to Chelsea on October 20, Gerard Precheur’s side have embarked on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
They have also won their last seven competitive matches, although a run of six consecutive clean sheets was ended by Real Madrid last week.
Chelsea Women Women’s Champions League form:
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Chelsea Women form (all competitions):
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Paris Saint-Germain Women Women’s Champions League form:
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Paris Saint-Germain Women form (all competitions):
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We say: Chelsea Women 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain Women
Although PSG are unbeaten in 10 games, we think that they will be edged out by a Chelsea side that have won all seven of their competitive home games this season.