Chelsea is back in action this weekend in the Champions League crown when they host Lille at the Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their round off 16 fixture of the competition. Match day is set for 22nd February 2022 at 22:00 EAT.
The Blues qualified for this stage after second finish in Group H in the qualifiers. Following their European success by becoming world champions earlier this year, the results have been there for Chelsea – currently on a five-game winning streak across all competitions. Both teams scored in two of those fixtures and a total of goals over 2.5 were also scored in those two fixtures.
Thomas Tuchel’s men come into this meeting confident folloeing 0-1 Premier League victory vs Crystal Palace. In that game, Chelsea had 58% possession, nine shots with three of them on target and a goal scored by Hakim Ziyech (89′). On the other end, Crystal Palace got seven shots with none of them on target.
Meanwhile, Lille topped the rankings in the tightly-fought Group G to get to this stage, currently they are in the 11th place with 36 points in the Ligue 1. Proceedings could hardly have started worse for Lille continentally and domestically under Jocelyn Gourvennec, who witnessed his side take just two points from their first three clashes in Group G as an early exit appeared imminent. In their last five fixtures they have two wins, two loses and a draw.
In their last game Lille cornered each to 0-0 Ligue 1 draw versus FC Metz. In that game, Lille had 64% possession and 13 shots with only one of them on target. FC Metz got seven shots none of them on target.
Chelsea vs Lille head to head
These two sides have met only twice in 2019 Champions League qualifiers and Chelsea won in both meetings.
- Chelsea 2-1 Lille 10/12/19
- Lille 1-2 Chelsea 02/10/19
Home
- Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras
- Al Hilal Rijad 0-1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth
- Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
Away
- Lille 0-0 Metz
- Montpellier 0-1 Lille
- Lille 1-5 PSG
- Brest 2-0 Lille
- Lille 3-1 Lorient
Chelsea team news
Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicuet, Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi are unavailable for this fixture’s selection with injuries.
Lille team news
Jocelyn Gourvennec side will be without Angel Gomes due to injury while Edon Zhegrova is out with a red card.
Prediction and odds
The Blues are obviously our favourites in this fixture having won in all their last five fixtures while Lille has won only in the last five fixtures.
- Chelsea Win
- Goals under 2.5
- Double Chance 1/X
