Chelsea head to the Stade Pierre Mauroy to face Lille with a fairly comfortable two goal advantage after the first leg in London. In times gone by it would seem an unassailable lead for Tuchel’s men yet a lot has changed in the three weeks since Havertz and Pulisic netted at Stamford Bridge.
Away from the pitch, the two time European champions have faced sanctions from the UK government due to Roman Ambramovich’s connections with Putin and the Russian State, leaving the club in a dark period of uncertainty and turmoil.
There were doubts over whether the club may even be able to fulfil the fixture amid logistical issues due to said sanctions however they remain upbeat and in form following a late victory over Newcastle on Sunday.
It’s a ground a lot of the Chelsea players know well following a 2-1 win there just a couple of seasons ago. Ben Chilwell and Reece James remain sidelined with Callum Hudson Odoi expected to miss out due to his ongoing Achilles injury.
The defending French champions and hosts will be looking to capitalise on the away sides off-field issues and cause a major upset in front of their own fans. They have never beaten Chelsea but are unbeaten in three Ligue 1 matches since the first leg.
They will be without danger man and former Golden Boy Renato Sanches who was injured against Saint Etienne although they are expected to have Benjamin Andre back in contention after a bout of illness.
Predicted line-ups
Lille: Jardim; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Djalo; Bamba, Andre, Xeka, Gudmundsson; David, Yilmaz.
Chelsea: Mendy; Silva, Christensen, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic.
Henry Smout
