PSG are favourites to win Champions League tie because they will have more rest, says Chelsea's Guus Hiddink

Big win: Chelsea secured a morale-boosting 5-1 victory over Newcastle United
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj13 February 2016

Guus Hiddink believes Paris Saint-Germain are favourites to win their Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea next week because the Blues will have less rest than the Ligue 1 giants.

Hiddink's side secured a big 5-1 win over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, just three days before they travel to the French capital to play PSG, who currently lead France's top flight by 25 points.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc made several changes to the starting line-up he put out to face Lille on Saturday afternoon, a game the club drew 0-0, but Hiddink believes that the French side - who remain unbeaten since November - come into their European clash with Chelsea the favourites.

"There have been too many draws and we said we would like to have victories that's why today's one was good. We succeeded with two beautiful early goals," Hiddink said after Chelsea's win over Newcastle.

"The only thing we aren't happy is that we conceded this goal. We were not defending well either. I was happy to see that the players weren't happy. The European game against PSG will be much more difficult because they are unbeaten since August but this game gives us confidence. We were angry that we conceded.

Chelsea vs Newcastle: Player Ratings

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"They [PSG] can afford that [to make changes] because they are doing well and are unbeaten and they have more rest than us.

"We have to consider when the Premier League clubs have to play in Europe if we can play earlier to give us more recovery. The doctors know that the second day after a game should be for rest but we have to prepare. So I'm strongly in favour that when you play on Tuesday, we should play on Friday. Any doctor will support this."

When pressed further about PSG's chances of beating Chelsea on Tuesday, Hiddink said: "They are favourites - they have a good team and when you have such a record, it is a tremendous record. But we must go there and play with confidence."

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