Prediction: Lille vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to finish off the job and book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League on Wednesday night, Chelsea will make the trip out to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy when they meet Lille.

Lille

Starting with the hosts, while Lille might have thought that they had found a much-needed boost when heading into March, Les Dogues failed to pick up some momentum last time out. Having to settle for a toothless 0-0 stalemate at home against St. Etienne, the defending French champions have largely failed to match a similar level that saw them shockingly claim the Ligue 1 title from PSG last season. Winning just a trio of their last eight matchups across all formats, Head Coach Jocelyn Gourvennec will also be more than aware that his side face a huge task if they are to somehow extend on their Champions League adventure on Wednesday night. Making the trip to Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago, Lille were hit with a routine 2-0 loss in west London and many feel that they’re in need of a European miracle when they return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Despite showing some recent improvements at the back over the past few weeks, Gourvennec’s side will face a stern test here.

Team News

Limping off against St. Etienne over the weekend, Lille will be without midfielder Renato Sanches on Wednesday night.

Bagging 13 Ligue 1 strikes this season, Canadian international Jonathan David should lead Les Dogues’ charge in midweek.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might be dealing with a string of very public issues behind the scenes, Thomas Tuchel’s side have managed to at least find an on-field boost. Despite not being at their best over the weekend, the former PSG boss saw his side claim a scrappy 1-0 win at home against Newcastle. Almost cruising their way towards another top-four finish in the Premier League this season, the Blues have won each of their last four matchups across all formats. In fact, aside from that EFL Cup Final defeat at the hands of Liverpool on February 27th, Chelsea have won 10 of their last 11 outings, a run that stems back to the middle of January. Simply looking to finish off the job and book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League here, it is well worth keeping an eye out for the red-hot Kai Havertz. Including the winner against Newcastle over the weekend, the German international has bagged seven goals in as many appearances.

Team News

The defensive duo of Ben Chilwell and Reece James are still dealing with issues and will not feature on Wednesday night.

However, in a boost for Chelsea in midweek, Thiago Silva is expected to make his return at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at Stamford Bridge for their first-leg meeting, Chelsea picked up a 2-0 victory.
• German international Kai Havertz has bagged seven goals in as many appearances across all formats.
• Lille have won just a trio of their last eight matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts have won just one of their previous four contests at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
• Including four wins on the spin, Chelsea have collected 10 victories from their previous 11 outings.

Conclusion

Eventually managing to claim a hard-fought 1-0 win at home against Newcastle over the weekend, Chelsea will simply be looking to finish off the job on Wednesday night. Claiming a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Lille to Stamford Bridge for their first-leg meeting last month, the Premier League giants have won 10 of their last 11 matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to the middle of January. While they might be dealing with some public issues behind the scenes, Tuchel’s men should be confident of cashing in on a Les Dogues side that have shown some extended issues this season. With Lille recording just a single victory from their last four fixtures at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, we’re backing an away victory here that can be found at attractive odds.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet