The Champions of Europe are back in action for the 2021/2022 UEFA Champions League season. Having qualified as second place in Group H, Chelsea would be facing Lille, who was top of Group G in the second week of the rounds of 16 first-leg matchups.
This guide will cover the game, analyze bets for each team, and provide expert betting picks for you. Let’s dive right in!
Overview
The round of 16 matches kicked off on the 15th of this month, providing incredible end-to-end matchups with last season’s runners-up, Manchester City seeing off Sporting CP in a 5-0 galore.
Chelsea and Lille kick off this week’s matchups for a chance to qualify into the quarterfinals. This is the first leg of the 180 minutes round of 16 showdown between the Champions of the Europe/World and Champions of France.
Last Games Records
In recent times, Chelsea and Lille have met twice in the Champions League, and both times, Chelsea won with the same scoreline; 2-1.
Although the teams that faced each other in the 2019/2020 Champions League season are very different today, both teams’ quality is unquestionable.
Matchup Information
- At Chelsea’s home stadium, Stamford Bridge
- Kick off at 8 PM GMT, 9 PM CET, 3 PM ET, and 12 PM PT.
Chelsea vs Lille Betting Analysis
Chelsea and Lille do not have much history with the stage set for the match to commence as they’ve only met twice in this competition.
However, both teams are looking to stake a place in the last eight, so they are ready to give it their all. In this section, we will be providing betting analysis for both teams.
Chelsea Betting Analysis
Chelsea is currently third on the current English Premier League table standings. Having played 25 games, winning 14 with eight draws and just three losses, they are in contention to finish strongly in the league. The team is also on a 5-game win streak, putting them in a good position for this matchup.
During the win streak, Chelsea became the Champions of the World after beating Palmeiras in the Club World Cup final. Aside from that, the team only conceded two goals, with one coming from a penalty and the other from a corner set-piece.
In addition, the team scored eight goals during the five games streak, making it an average of 1.6 goals per game. With this analysis, we can conclude that Chelsea does not score loads of goals, nor do they let in much. So, the goals market might be a reasonable consideration for this team.
Lille Betting Analysis
On the other hand, Lille has been on a rollercoaster run of form in the last five games. The team won two, drew one, and lost two. This has been the highlight of their current season, especially in the French Ligue 1, where they won nine games, drew nine, and lost seven.
As a result, they are currently 11th on the log, meaning that there is a good chance they would miss out on next season’s Champions League. Their only fighting chance is to win the competition this season. However, Lille’s bad run of form has seen them concede nine goals and only score six in the last five games.
So, they have a problem breaking down defenses and keeping it tight at the back. As a result, the goals market might not be a good option for this team.
Teams Updates
According to the Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, the squad that faced Crystal Palace on Saturday is most likely not to change ahead of their Champions League match.
Although players like Caesar Azpiliqueta, Hodson Odoi, Mason Mount, and Recce James are currently being accessed, they are unlikely to be among the squad that will face Lille. With players like Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva, Ngolo Kante, Jorghino Frello, and Kai Havertz available, we are sure to see a strong Chelsea squad on Tuesday.
Aside from Angel Gomes, who picked up an injury during the last match against Metz, Lille has their team ready for the clash against Chelsea.
Players like Renato Sanchez, Sven Botman, and Jonathan David would be the main focus for the team. So, we expect a strong Lille side to face Chelsea for a chance in the quarterfinals.
Chelsea vs Lille Betting Preview
With both teams having solid players available, it will be an exciting matchup. The Champions League knockout stages are always impressive because teams are looking to move to the next round, taking them closer to the ultimate.
Chelsea will want to defend their title, and Lille will love to win the UCL to play in next season. We expect to see more defensive play since both teams would not want to concede goals, reducing their chances to progress.
Chelsea vs Lille Betting Prediction
Going by the betting stats from the analysis, we believe this would be a very tight and low-scoring game. Although Chelsea is the clear favorite as they have a better head-to-head and run of form, we cannot count out Lille in this tie.
They have more to lose because a loss would mean they might not get a chance to play in the Champions League next season.
In that case, the match should end up in a Chelsea win, and there wouldn’t be an outrageous scoreline. So, our prediction is Chelsea 2 – Lille 0 because we expect a defensive Lille team looking to counter on the break.
But, since Chelsea plays conservative football, counterattacking might not break their compact and robust team. So, the chances of Lille getting a goal are low.
Chelsea vs Lille Predictions
To bet on the Chelsea vs. Lille match, you first need to find a sportsbook that covers the UCL. After that, ensure that you create an account and fund it.
Then, go to the UCL section to place your bets on the various options. One option is betting against the spread, with Chelsea currently the favorites according to many sportsbooks’ point spreads.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.