Chelsea v Lille – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Chelsea face Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge. These sides faced each other in the group stages in 2019 with the Blues winning both matches 2-1. The visitors sit 11^th in Ligue 1 having won the title last season. They topped their Champions League group ahead of second-placed Salzburg. Thomas Tuchel’s side are proving very hard to beat despite performance levels taking a major dip of late.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea have lost just twice in 31 matches in all competitions but arguably have only played well on two occasions since November. After a run on one win in five matches in the league, they burgled a late 1-0 win at Crystal Palace last time out.

Prior to that, Chelsea won four consecutive matches. A 2-0 league win against Tottenham made it three victories in a matter of weeks against Spurs. They then lifted the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Al Hilal 1-0 and Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time.

Chelsea Team News

Thomas Tuchel will hope to have Reece James back on the bench. Ben Chilwell is still out due to a long-term injury. Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi missed the Crystal Palace win minor injuries but both should return.

Chelsea could make a few changes with many players out of form. Marcos Alonso and Mateo Kovacic look like the main candidates to return to the starting XI.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea will want a first-leg victory but there is less emphasis on a clean sheet with no away goals at play.

Tuchel is expected to put full focus on this match with four rest days until facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

Lille Form

LOSC Lille are having a tough season, despite three consecutive wins to top their UEFA Champions League group. In Ligue 1, they sit 11^th as they mount a very poor title defence having pipped PSG to the 2020-21 crown. They ended their European group with a 2-1 win at Sevilla, a 1-0 home against Salzburg and a 3-1 win at Wolfsburg.

Their last seven matches in all competitions have seen three defeats. After losing 2-0 at Brest, they were humiliated 5-1 at home by PSG. They have tightened up since then, winning 1-0 at Montpellier and drawing 0-0 at home with Metz.

Lille Team News

Coach Jocelyn Gourvennec welcomed back Renato Sanchez against Metz as a substitute. He could start this match in central midfield. Isaac Lihandji is also fit again after a thigh injury to boost options.

Top striker Jonathan David is on a goal drought of six matches and Lille could not score in their last match despite Burak Yilmaz partnering him in a front two. Angel Gomes should start on the flank with Hatem Ben Arfa and Timothy Weah possibly having to settle for spots on the bench. Sven Botman will partner Jose Fonte in central defence.

Lille Motivation

Lille would take a draw from this match without a doubt. Even a one-goal defeat gives them a chance in the second leg.

They are not completely out of the race for Europe in Ligue 1 but are too far adrift that to prove a distraction – all focus is on this match. They will likely sit quite deep with a slow backline and look to counter through their pacey wingers and David upfront.

Key Stats

Chelsea have won their last 5 matches (all comps)

Chelsea have lost 2 of their last 31 matches (all comps)

CFC have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 5 matches

CFC have won both of their previous matches against Lille (both 2-1)

Lille have scored 2 goals in their last 4 matches

Lille’s striker David is 6 matches without a goal

Lille have kept successive clean sheets (14 conceded in 6 matches before that)

Verdict

Chelsea should have too much for a Lille side who are having a tough season. The visitors should put up a fight and won’t lose by a big margin though, but possibly by two goals.

Best Bet: Chelsea (-1 spread) at 1.95

Alternative Bet: Chelsea win to nil at 2.05

Multiple Leg: Chelsea/Draw double chance + under 3.5 goals at 1.57

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis