Chelsea travels to France to take on Lille in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. Les Dogues proved to be formidable competition for Thomas Tuchel’s side the last time out, despite missing a few key players and being counted out by everyone and their mothers as soon as the draw was completed. The reigning Ligue 1 champions have struggled mightily this season in the French top flight, where they currently sit sixth, 22 points of the top spot. Nevertheless, Europe has been a different story, as it’s no easy feat to reach the knockout stages of the continent’s premier competition.
Luckily for Tuchel and his men, they boast a 2-0 advantage heading into the away fixture. Red-hot Kai Havertz opened the scoring inside of 10 minutes before Christian Pulisic netted a second midway through the second half to give the Blues a cushion heading into the reverse leg. This is huge for the visitors as, on Wednesday, they’ll have to square off against a talented team with absolutely nothing to lose in front of a sold-out crowd of over 50,000 at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Here is how The Pride of London team sees the Champions League contest playing out:
Gerald Baffour: 0-2 Chelsea
Besides the hoopla surrounding the Blues’ new ownership, they actually have an important game to focus on. Chelsea should seal its place in the Champions League quarterfinals as the team seems more together amidst this chaos than ever before. Look for a Romelu Lukaku and Havertz to make up a front two with Hakim Ziyech in behind as the Blues look to add to their 2-0 advantage. Another victory of the same score sees them through.
Kevin Peacock: 1-2 Chelsea
Supporting Chelsea is never boring, especially at this moment in time. The media and punditry world would have us all believe we should take our allegiance elsewhere right now. After all, Chelsea Football Club is toxic. However, I still like it and look forward to seeing the club progress. Whilst the world want to see the Blues defeated, a goal a piece for Lukaku and Jorginho (penalty) sees Tuchel’s side progress.
Barrett Rouen: 0-2 Chelsea
It’s going to be OK.
Gabe Henderson: 0-1 Chelsea
The Blues earn a narrow victory in France thanks to a goal from either an unlikely source or Havertz, but given the latter’s form during the last few weeks, it’s safe to bank on the German wunderkind. The 22-year-old has been sensational for Tuchel’s team since the turn of the new year and he’s becoming one of the most important players in Chelsea’s starting XI. He is the reason the Blues are holding onto a 2-0 lead right now, which will allow them to control possession comfortably, without taking risks. The visitors will capitalize on Lille’s desperate attempts to level the tie and come away with a slight victory to book their place in the last eight.
What is your score prediction for the contest? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!