Chelsea and LOSC meet in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday 22nd February.
Chelsea’s group stage story
Though Chelsea were only runners-up in their group, progress was fairly straightforward for Thomas Tuchel’s holders with their three home games all ending in victories and clean sheets.
Lille, by contrast, had to wait until the final match to qualify with their 3-1 success at Wolfsburg sealing their round of 16 place and a 2-1 triumph at Sevilla on Matchday 4 pivotal to their ascent to the Group G summit.
Punters can place their bets by visiting https://bit.ly/3BF0Mda.
Possible line-ups
*Chelsea:* Mendy; Thiago Silva, Rüdiger, Christensen; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kanté, Alonso; Ziyech, Lukaku, Pulišić
*Lille:* Jardim; Zeki Çelik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Weah, André, Xeka, Bamba; Burak Yılmaz, David
Away goals rule abolished
There has been a rule change for 2021/22: ties level after the second leg will go to extra time and a penalty shoot-out if required, irrespective of the number of away goals a team has scored.
Form guide
1. Chelsea
Since Matchday 6 (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWWDLWWWDDWWDDW
Where they stand: 3rd in Premier League, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup final, Club World Cup winners
2. Lille
Since Matchday 6: DLLWDDWWD
Where they stand: 11th in Ligue 1
Predictions
1. Andrew Haslam, Chelsea reporter
Chelsea have slipped off the pace at the top of the Premier League after five draws and two defeats in December and January, but Thomas Tuchel’s side have continued to excel in knockout competitions. Already in the English League Cup final and the last 16 of the FA Cup, earlier this month the Blues saw off Al Hilal and Palmeiras to claim the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. Goals have been the problem for the Champions League holders, but if Tuchel can figure out how to get more regular service from Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea will be a threat again.
2. Ian Holyman, Lille reporter
LOSC fans will be relieved their team has found some semblance of form after a sticky start to their title defence. There is a concern over Jonathan David’s confidence in front of goal, however. After scoring three group stage goals, the Canadian international has now not found the net since before Christmas. LOSC need him razor-sharp to gobble up the few chances they are likely to create.
What the coaches have said
Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager: “We all know how physical French football is, how physical the attacking players are, how brave they are in one-on-ones, very disciplined against the ball, and [Lille] have the chance to play this game as underdogs. It will be like always: we respect the game, respect the opponent, and prepare the team as we always do.”
Jocelyn Gourvennec, LOSC coach: “We had a difficult start in the Champions League [this season]. No one saw us finishing top of the group, but we defied expectations. It will be an extra step tomorrow against the defending champions. It’s an enormous challenge.”
Squad changes
1. Chelsea
In: Kenedy
Out: Lewis Baker
2. Lille
In: Hatem Ben Arfa, Domagoj Bradarić, Edon Zhegrova
Out: Jonathan Ikoné, Rocco Ascone, Reinildo Mandava, Cheikh Niasse, Yusuf Yazıcı
UEFA