Chelsea vs Lille preview, predictions & confirmed team news as Jorginho replaces Mount
Chelsea can secure passage to the Champions League knockout phase with a win over Lille in their final group stage game.
Frank Lampard’s men have enjoyed a rollercoaster return to European football’s premier club competition and currently lie on eight points in Group H alongside Valencia, though are below due to a worse head-to-head record.
Ajax, who have two points more, are in the box seat and know a point will be enough to see them go through. If they were to beat the Spanish outfit in Amsterdam and Chelsea draw against bottom side Lille that is also enough to secure the Blues a round-of-16 ticket.
Read on for our Chelsea v Lille preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Chelsea vs Lille and where can I watch live?
Competition: Champions League
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Tuesday, 10 December 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 2
Form Guide
Chelsea
07 December 2019: Everton 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
04 December 2019: Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
30 November 2019: Chelsea 0-1 West Ham (Premier League)
27 November 2019: Valencia 2-2 Chelsea (Champions League)
23 November 2019: Man City 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Lille
06 December 2019: Lille 1-0 Brest (Ligue 1)
03 December 2019: Lyon 0-1 Lille (Ligue 1)
30 November 2019: Lille 1-0 Dijon (Ligue 1)
27 November 2019: Lille 0-2 Ajax (Champions League)
22 November 2019: PSG 2-0 Lille (Ligue 1)
Ones to watch
Chelsea: Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic had to bide his time before establishing himself as a regular starter under Frank Lampard but since being given the opportunity he needed the American forward hasn’t looked back.
Pulisic wasn’t used in Chelsea’s opening two Champions League group stage games, before coming off the bench to assist Michy Batshuayi’s winner against Ajax, the 21-year-old winger started the following two games in which he provided at least one goal contribution.
Key stat: Only DaMarcus Beasley (27) and Jermaine Jones (27) have made more UCL appearances by a US national than Pulišić (25).
Lille: Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen was unlucky to not have added to his Champions League tally against Ajax last time out.
The young Nigerian striker was also fortunate not to have received his marching orders and would subsequently in a post-match interview revealed how the Amsterdammers goalkeeper Andre Onana prevented him from receiving the wrath of the referee. Should he come on against Chelsea, the Nigerian could cause problems.
Key stat: Osimhen has scored 67% of Lille’s goals in the Champions League this season (two of three).
Team news
Chelsea
Frank Lampard has made three changes from the Chelsea team that lost to Everton on the weekend including the return of Jorginho to the Blues’ midfield.
The Italian was an unused substitute at Goodison Park having also started last week’s win over Aston Villa on the bench but replaces Mason Mount in Chelsea’s midfield alongside N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
There is also a return for Emerson, in for Reece James with Cesar Azpilicueta moving over to right-back, and Antonio Rudiger — back after injury.
Confirmed XI: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger, Emerson; Kovačić, Jorginho, Kanté; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.
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Lille
Lille have nothing but pride to play for as their European adventure ends on Tuesday evening.
As a result they have opted to leave Osimhen on the bench, starting former Chelsea striker Loic Remy up front. There are also starts for Xeka, Thiago Mala and Jeremy Pied.
Confirmed XI: Maignan; Celik, Djaló, Gabriel, Pied; Yazıcı, Xeka, Soumare, Maia, Araujo; Remy.
Squawka prediction
Chelsea’s form of late has been shaky to say the least, but they should have too much for a Lille side that’s blown hot and cold in Europe, only Galatasaray (two) scored fewer than the French side (three) this season with just one of those strikes coming on the road.
Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Lille
