Lille welcome Chelsea to Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
Lille simply must win by three goals ideally without conceding in order to overturn a 2-0 deficit if they’re to stand any chance of advancing.
Chelsea meanwhile know that a win or draw would be enough to secure a place in the Quarter-Finals, although a 1-0 defeat would also see them advance.
Team News
Benjamin Andre is set to return for Lille after recovering from illness which forced him to miss Friday’s goalless Ligue 1 draw against Saint Etienne.
Renato Sanches (thigh) and Orestis Karnezis (unspecified) are ruled out.
Chelsea could welcome Cesar Azpilicueta back into contention after he missed Sunday’s win against Newcastle with cramp.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles) and Reece James (muscle) are doubtful but Ben Chilwell (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Lille have lost all three previous Champions League meetings against Chelsea (L3).
- Chelsea won 2-1 in their only previous Champions League visit to Lille in October 2019.
- Lille have conceded twice in each of their three previous meetings against Chelsea.
- Lille are yet to concede at home in Champions League this season (W1, D2).
- Four of Chelsea’s yellow card bookings in away Champions League matches this seasons have been served after half-time.
Prediction
Having lost the first leg 2-0, Lille certainly need a huge performance to stand any chance of causing a shock comeback, although they can take heart from the fact that they haven’t conceded in three games since their loss at Stamford Bridge.
A mixture of solid defending and clinical attacking will therefore be important if Lille are to stand any chance of advancing, particularly because I feel that getting two goals without conceding to at least force extra-time looks their best bet.
Chelsea meanwhile weren’t at their best in Sunday’s loss against Newcastle despite their dominance with a clinical late strike eventually proving the difference, yet they seem more united since the club received sanctions so will be a tough team to beat here.
The first goal though looks set to be key because if Lille get the opening strike, I can see them bringing more fighting intensity as the match wears on, whereas Chelsea should be able to put the tie into cruise mode if they score first especially with a FA Cup to Middlesbrough to come on Saturday.
Prediction: Lille 1-1 Chelsea
Result: Lille 1-2 Chelsea (Chelsea win 4-1 on aggregate!!!)
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