Chelsea vs PSG Preview

• PSG to win in 90 minutes
• Ambos equipos marcarán

A staggering £90 million in prize money and a place in global football history await the winner of Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) final, as Premier League outfit Chelsea take on UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta. Both sides have battled through six games to reach this point, but it is silverware, pride, and potentially a historic achievement that hangs in the balance heading into the showpiece encounter.

Noticias y actualidad de los partidos

Chelsea have defied pre-tournament expectations by making it to the final. Their path to the decider includes five victories from six matches (L1), with their only setback a group-stage defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo. A commanding 2-0 win over Fluminense in the semi-final served notice that Enzo Maresca’s side are peaking at the right time.

This marks Chelsea’s second appearance in a CWC final, with their previous outing in 2021 ending in victory over Palmeiras. Under the guidance of Maresca, still in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have gone from an inconsistent Premier League campaign to one of continental dominance. With 13 wins from their last 15 matches across all competitions (L2), momentum is firmly behind the Blues.

But if Chelsea are riding a wave of confidence, their opponents Paris Saint-Germain appear to be surfing a tsunami. The Parisians demolished Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals in what was arguably the performance of the tournament, and now stand just one win away from completing a perfect season. Having already collected the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League trophy, a win here would make it five trophies for the season — a historic quintuple.

Luis Enrique’s team enter the final in blistering form, winning ten of their last 11 matches (L1). They’ve also kept clean sheets in seven of those victories, including each of their last three games in this tournament. With attacking firepower and defensive stability, PSG look every bit the formidable final opponent.

Historia del cara a cara

This will be the ninth competitive meeting between Chelsea and PSG, and the French side have a slender historical edge with three victories to Chelsea’s two (D3). The two teams were frequent opponents in UEFA Champions League knockout rounds during the 2010s, with PSG unbeaten in the last four meetings (W2, D2).

Their most recent encounter came in the 2015/16 Champions League Round of 16, where PSG progressed with a 4-2 aggregate win. Though many of the players have changed, that record adds a subtle psychological edge to the French champions heading into this high-stakes encounter.

Jugadores clave a seguir

João Pedro has emerged as a key figure for Chelsea at this tournament, netting a brace in the semi-final against Fluminense. The former Brighton forward has scored in 16 of his last 19 club games in which he found the net after the break, showcasing his knack for coming alive in the second half.

His movement and finishing ability could be pivotal if Chelsea are to unlock PSG’s compact defensive shape.

For PSG, Ousmane Dembélé has enjoyed a standout tournament. The electric winger scored in both the quarter-final and semi-final, and has already netted against three English clubs this season — Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

His pace and unpredictability on the flank may provide PSG with the cutting edge they need to break through Chelsea’s defence.

Noticias del equipo y ausencias

Chelsea are monitoring the fitness of midfielder Moisés Caicedo after he picked up a knock in the semi-final. Should he be ruled out, it could significantly impact their midfield stability. Liam Delap and Levi Colwill remain suspended, while Badiashile is still sidelined.

PSG, meanwhile, are without two key defensive figures. Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández are both suspended for this clash, forcing Luis Enrique into a reshuffle at the back. However, they are otherwise at full strength, and their wealth of options could help mitigate those absences.

Estadísticas y rachas

• Chelsea have failed to score more than once in five of their last six games against European opposition.
• The Blues lead the CWC in total shot attempts, registering 100 shots over six games.
• PSG have won five of their last seven matches by a margin of at least three goals.
• The Parisians have led at half-time in six of their last eight matches.

Análisis de apuestas

From a betting perspective, PSG’s recent results and overall dominance across multiple competitions make them firm favourites. Their ability to dispatch Real Madrid with ease, coupled with a balanced squad that can score freely and defend resolutely, suggests they have the tools to get the job done.

Chelsea’s recent form and resilience shouldn’t be discounted, and they may find joy through quick transitions or set pieces, particularly if PSG struggle to adjust without key defenders. However, the Blues’ inability to consistently score against elite European opposition could prove costly here.

A PSG win appears to be the smart bet, and with their defensive record and attacking efficiency, backing them to win with under 3.5 match goals could present strong value.

Predicción

Chelsea have done incredibly well to reach the final and will likely make a game of it, but the sheer momentum, form, and star power possessed by PSG makes them favourites to lift the trophy. A tight encounter is expected early on, but the Parisians may eventually pull clear.

Predicted score: Chelsea 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain

Para más información sobre el resultado de este partido, también puede visitar:
https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/10005/289175/289190/400019210