Teams usually look forward to defending a title, but Chelsea will be aiming to avoid the chance to defend their Europa League trophy when Lille visit Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are in control of their own destiny as they close out the Champions League group stage against Lille. A win sees them through and a draw makes things conditional, so our writers are keeping it simple and predicting the win.
Varun Dani: Chelsea 3 – 0 Lille. The blue boys have hit some kind of a low form-wise as they approach a make-or-break group decider. The defense (and Kepa Arrizabalaga) is in shambles and the attack has not been clinical enough.
Frank Lampard has been part of plenty of special Champions League night at Stamford Bridge, and will need to channel the Chelsea swagger into his players, whether it’s through some inspirational team talks or change in tactics. I think this will be one of the landmark wins of Lampard’s Chelsea career, the kind of night on which boys become men. Or so I hope.
Scott Brant: 2 – 0. Chelsea are due for a clean sheet, even if it comes from the opposition not taking any shots or creating chances. I expect Chelsea to get to the Round of 16. Anything less – even with this current squad that is growing and improve – wouldn’t be acceptable.
They are young and planning for the future. But they still need to win some now, and advancing this season is a must, hopefully to face Juventus in the knockout stages, but that’s for another day. On this day against Lille the Blues will get a goal from the defense to make up for their display at the weekend, and of course one from Tammy Abraham up top.
Barrett Rouen: 3 – 0. I wanted to say 2-1 or 2-0, but I feel like taking a bigger number here. Given the recent results Frank Lampard will have read the children the riot act. Most of the players will be looking to pull their reputations back together after recent results and they will deliver a great performance.
The defense is still one of the worst things I’ve seen, so predicting a clean sheet is more hope than anything.
Hugo Amaya: 3 – 1. A stronger performance this time around from Chelsea: a very creative and attacking mentality that will see the team stay on top of the match the entire 90 minutes. But with the defense making mistakes left and right, one goal will slip through the cracks. Still three points to Chelsea.
Kevin Peacock: 4 – 1. Lille are in Chelsea’s league, and not just literally. Chelsea’s kids ought to be more than capable of getting the result that will see them through to the knockout stages of the competition. They’ll be smarting from a couple of recent defeats and, perhaps more worryingly, poor defensive performances.
Frank Lampard’s team are in danger of becoming known as a bunch of light-weights. The potential return of Antonio Rudiger, finally, may see a tightening of the defence. Kepa Arrizabalaga in will be grateful to see fewer shots getting through to him.
Despite being susceptible to conceding a goal or two, offensively, Chelsea still look good. Lille may find themselves on the wrong end of a beating. Chelsea to win on goals from Tambraham (2), Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 2 – 1. Chelsea still does not seem ready for a clean sheet. But they’ll win against Lille and qualify for the knockout stages.
Lille are already out of the Champions League but they’ll be interested in taking someone with them. Lampard will have to find a solution to Chelsea’s defensive troubles, and fast. The “they’re young” excuse will not hold up for much longer. Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic were particularly sluggish last time out. They cannot afford to be that way in this match. It’s a must-win, and yet it could have been much more difficult.
Abhishek Pancholi: 3 – 1. It won’t be pretty and there will be a few shredded nerves by the time it’s over, but Chelsea will qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League tonight. That’s all.