Chelsea vs Lille
UEFA Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 10th December 2019
Kick off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)
Chelsea
There are many options for Frank Lampard on how to set up his team for this must-win match. Marcos Alonso and Emerson are both vying for the left-dock which currently belongs to skipper Cesar Azpilicueta which means exerting Reece James on the other side.
Fikayo Tomori has been sidelined with an injury which means Christensen and Zouma could start as a central defender partner, although Antonio Rudiger will be in the squad. Jorginho hope to return to Lampard began XI as Chelsea boss is now more like a double pivot midfield of N'golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
XI predicted: Kepa; James, Zouma, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Mountain, Pulisic; Abraham.
Lille
Lille have nothing but pride to play for as the goal of their adventures in Europe on Tuesday night.
Christophe Galtier, who only has Timothy Weah, Adama Soumaro and Reinild not available to him, can field its strongest lineup in the hope of ending the group with a victory that had eluded them so far.
XI predicted: Maignan; Celik, Fonte, Magalhães, Bradaric; Xeka, Soumaré; Yazici, Ikoné, Bamba; Osimhen.
Key Statistics
Chelsea have lost only one of their previous eight home games against French sides in the Champions League (W4 D3), although that fixture as their final 1-2 loss to PSG in March 2016.
Lille which only win in six away games in the British team in all European competition came at Aston Villa in the Intertoto Cup in August 2002 (2-0) - they have failed to score in each of their other five games as in English ( D1 L4).
If Chelsea qualify for the knockout stages to follow this game, Frank Lampard will be England manager first team to progress from the group stage of the Champions League - has taken charge of all six group games - since Harry Redknapp at Spurs in 2010-11.
Chelsea without a win in their last five Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge (D4 L1); their longest run without a win in the competition on home soil.
The German international has had a tough start to the 2019-20 season. Rudiger missed the early part of the campaign as he recovers from a knee injury sustained last season. He made his return to the side of Frank Lampard in September, but only lasted 45 minutes as a groin problem forced him off the field and back on the treatment table.
There is no denying that Chelsea have problems at the back this term and with Rudiger now ready to return to action, it came as a huge boost for the Blues. Germany, with the experience and leadership, should help the hand Lampard plug some holes in the back.
A 26-year Beckons important game on Tuesday night, and Germany will be keen to make a strong impression on the back and establish himself as a first choice central defender Lampard move forward this season.
Prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Lille
Chelsea have not been in the best of form of late and their recent record in home games in the Champions League has not been too impressive either. However, Lille has fared quite poorly in Europe and has been struggling to get a positive result away from home, after taking only one victory on the road this season in all competitions.
And that is why we at the Hard Tackle back Lampard and co. to pick up a win on Tuesday and sailed through to the knockout stage.
