Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly believes Paris Saint-Germain's massive lead in Ligue 1 will help them when the two sides meet in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The English and French champions are to face each other in the competition for the third consecutive year after being paired together in Monday's draw for the knockout stages.
In stark contrast to Chelsea -- whose 2-1 defeat against Leicester on Monday was their ninth in the Premier League this season -- PSG are still unbeaten after 18 matches in Ligue 1.
Laurent Blanc's side are 17 points clear near the halfway point of the campaign in France but Desailly, 47, does not consider the lack of competition on the domestic front a bad thing.
"I'm one of the people who think it's an advantage," he told Le Parisien. "The Parisians live only for the Champions League.
"Thanks to this comfortable cushion in Ligue 1, they will be fresh psychologically and physically to devote themselves to it.
"I went through this situation with AC Milan. When the Champions League came around, it was really enjoyable.
"We were 100 percent ready, without being worn out by the domestic worries of the league."
Desailly won the European Cup with Milan in 1994 before moving on to Chelsea, where he played from 1998 until 2004.
While he believes that PSG will start as favourites against his former club, the ex-France international thinks the Blues will be in much better shape for the first leg in Paris on Feb. 16.
"They are in trouble -- it's true -- but it won't last," Desailly said. "You shouldn't take notice of Chelsea's current form. They're going to change course between now and February.
"All the more so because they will want to shine in the Champions League to salvage their season.
"I'm expecting two keenly contested, tactical matches during which PSG will have to pay attention to the way they develop their game against a team who -- even if they're convalescing -- can show that they're dangerous."
PSG beat Chelsea on away goals when the sides met last year after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
Former PSG and Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier feels that memories of that result will give the French team an edge.
"Of course PSG are favourites," he told Le Parisien. "Quite simply because PSG are stronger than last year and Chelsea are a little less so.
"The contribution of Angel Di Maria has really improved the team. They hate to lose, like they demonstrate every weekend.
"PSG are clearly on an upward curve. And last year's qualification gives them a psychological advantage."