Chelsea vs PSG: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

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Overview

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final brings together Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in a high-stakes decider. Both clubs arrive at this stage with contrasting journeys and tactical narratives, setting up a fascinating contest between Enzo Maresca and Luis Enrique.

Road to the Final

Chelsea

Semi-final: Defeated Fluminense, with new signing João Pedro scoring a decisive brace.
Redemption: Overcame their earlier group-stage loss to Flamengo, showing resilience and tactical growth.
Form: Five wins in their last six matches, but only three clean sheets in that span.
Key talking point: Some suggest Chelsea benefited from a favourable draw, but their path included overcoming South American opposition and integrating new players mid-tournament.

PSG

Semi-final: Swept aside Real Madrid with a dominant 4-0 win, including a Fabian Ruiz brace and goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Gonçalo Ramos.
Defensive Record: Conceded only once in the tournament (vs Botafogo).
Attack: Ruthlessly efficient, scoring freely while maintaining defensive discipline.
Record: Set a new club record with 48 wins in the season.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Chelsea

Injury Concerns:
- Moises Caicedo (ankle) has returned to training and is expected to start.
- Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, and Benoit Badiashile are in doubt.
Squad Changes:
- Noni Madueke is absent (transfer-related).
- Liam Delap and Levi Colwill return from suspension.
Key Selection:
- João Pedro is likely to retain his place after his semi-final heroics.
- Malo Gusto could be preferred at right-back over Reece James.
- Christopher Nkunku is in contention for a start on the right wing.

Probable XI (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Nkunku, Palmer, Neto; Pedro

PSG

Suspensions:
- Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez remain out after red cards in the quarter-final.
Defensive Pairing:
- Lucas Beraldo is expected to partner Marquinhos in central defense.
No Major Changes:
- Enrique is set to stick with the lineup that dismantled Real Madrid.
Midfield & Attack:
- Vitinha anchors the midfield with João Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
- Ousmane Dembélé spearheads the attack, flanked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.

Probable XI (4-3-3):
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia

Tactical Focus

Chelsea:
- Maresca’s side will look to control midfield with Caicedo and Fernandez, using Palmer’s creativity and Pedro’s movement up front.
- Defensive solidity will be crucial against PSG’s fluid attack, especially with Colwill and Chalobah at the heart of defense.
PSG:
- Enrique’s system emphasizes high pressing and quick transitions, with Dembélé’s energy and directness a constant threat.
- The midfield trio combines technical quality and work rate, while Hakimi and Mendes provide width from full-back.

Key Stats

Stat	Chelsea	PSG
Wins in last 6 games	5	6
Clean sheets in last 6	3	5
Goals conceded (Club World Cup)	5	1
Club record wins this season	–	48

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Player to Watch: Ousmane Dembélé

Dembélé has been in scintillating form for PSG, playing a pivotal role in their semi-final rout of Real Madrid. His high-energy pressing, dribbling, and ability to exploit defensive errors make him the standout threat for Chelsea to contain. Another decisive display could cement his status as a Ballon d’Or frontrunner.

Prediction

PSG’s blend of attacking power, tactical discipline, and tournament experience makes them strong favourites. Chelsea’s progress under Maresca has been impressive, but PSG’s form and quality at both ends of the pitch may prove too much.