Chelsea vs Lille
UEFA Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 22 February 2022
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will welcome Lille to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the hopes of moving closer to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The UEFA Champions League returns this week, with the opening legs of the remaining Round of 16 matches planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Chelsea will play one of the two games on Tuesday, hosting Lille at Stamford Bridge in the hopes of progressing to the next round.
Chelsea qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 after coming second in Group H to Juventus.
However, since their group stage campaign finished in December, the Blues have been stumbling and have lost momentum in the Premier League title battle.
Thomas Tuchel’s side, on the other hand, have won their last five games in all competitions, including the Club World Cup.
Lille, on the other side, advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Red Bull Salzburg in Group G.
However, Les Dogues’ form has been even more patchy than Chelsea’s, since they have yet to put together a consistent run of results outside of the Champions League this season.
Their most recent match was a goalless draw with Metz, which did nothing to improve their Ligue 1 standing.
Chelsea and Lille last met in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019/20 season, with Chelsea winning both games 2-1.
The Hard Tackle examines the matchup before of the most recent meeting between the two teams.
Chelsea vs Lille Head to head :
- Tuchel’s men have a 100% winning record against this foe.
- They have scored two or more goals in all of these encounters.
- Since 2004, barring PSG, they have lost just once against a Ligue 1 team.
- Meanwhile, Lille were winless in nine of their past twelve overall fixtures against other EPL squads.
Chelsea vs Lille Prediction :
Chelsea will be the favorites to win the game, but Lille’s creative problems will make the first leg drag on for a long time.
The dismal form of Romelu Lukaku will not aid the Blues’ cause, leaving the in-form Hakim Ziyech with a lot of work to do once more.
The presence of Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz in Lille indicates that the visitors should not be underestimated.
The Chelsea defense, on the other hand, should keep Lille’s attackers at bay, ensuring a clean sheet for the Blues. In the end, the hosts should win by a slender 1-0 margin, keeping Lille in contention for the second leg next month.
Chelsea vs Lille Tram News :
Mason Mount, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery, has a slight chance of joining Cesar Azpilicueta in the starting lineup, however there is less hope about Callum Hudson-condition.
Odoi’s Ben Chilwell continues to heal from his terrible ACL injury, while Reece James improves his hamstring rehabilitation, but the right-back will miss the opening leg after contracting the illness.
Following aiding Ziyech’s late goal against Palace, Tuchel may consider recalling Timo Werner after another lackluster effort from Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.
Marcos Alonso should also return to the first XI after assisting Ziyech’s late victory.
Angel Gomes was forced to leave Lille’s match against Metz after just 27 minutes due to a calf problem, therefore Hatem Ben Arfa or Timothy Weah might start at Stamford Bridge.
Edon Zhegrova’s red card at the weekend has no bearing on this game, although he is unlikely to start in any event, and if Jose Fonte and Burak Yilmaz are booked tonight, they will miss the second leg.
After serving a domestic suspension, Gourvennec will almost certainly start Renato Sanches in place of Xeka from the first whistle, and Zeki Celik should replace Tiago Djalo at right-back.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz; Werner
Lille possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Weah, Andre, Sanches, Bamba; David, Yilmaz
