Champions League holders Chelsea begin the knockout stage of their campaign at home to defending Ligue 1 champions Lille. The Blues have a few absences through injury, and will have to make sure they don’t take their eye off the ball, with the Carabao Cup final looming on Sunday.
Although Chelsea finished second in their group, two points behind Juventus — it’s the reason they’re hosting the first leg — they have been handed what many would consider a generous opponent in Lille. The French champions are languishing in mid-table domestically, after a significant change of manager, and playing staff, in the summer. They lost two more players in the January window.
The visitors may be looking for a boost to their season with a cup run in European competition, and Canadian frontman Jonathan David will be handed a chance to announce his potential on a big stage, but Les Dogues (The Mastiffs) will certainly be up against it in this tie.
Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
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Chelsea vs. Lille live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Chelsea | — | — | — |
| Lille | — | — | — |
Goals:
(All times Eastern)
1:45 p.m.: If this match turns into a weird one, we won’t be surprised in the least:
Tim Weah, who wears No. 22 for Lille, turns 22 today, on 2/22/22.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 22, 2022
Chelsea vs. Lille predicted lineups
Chelsea will be without a few key players for this clash. Ben Chilwell (ACL) is a long-term absentee who is out until the end of the season. Fellow wingback Reece James (hamstring) is nearing a return to training, but not until next week, ruling him out of this game.
The influential Mason Mount is battling an ankle injury and misses out against Lille, but he is reportedly targeting Sunday’s Carabao Cup final for a potential return.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Cesar Azpilicueta missed the win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, but Tuchel claimed Azpilicueta has since returned to training, though Hudson-Odoi has not.
Chelsea projected lineup: Mendy — Christensen, T. Silva, Rudiger — Pulisic, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso — Ziyech, Lukaku, Havertz.
Chelsea subs (12): To be confirmed
Lille heads to London with minimal squad casualties, having fielded a mostly full-strength side at the weekend in a 0-0 draw against Metz.
Forward Isaac Lihadji had been injured for the last two league games, but was an unused substitute at the weekend. Similarly, former Golden Boy winner Renato Sanches played nine minutes on his return from injury, as Lille manager Jocelyn Gourvennec is set to have a full squad to choose from.
Lille projected lineup: Jardim — Djalo, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson — Gomes, Andre, Xaka, Bamba — David, Yilmaz.
Lille subs (12): To be confirmed
How to watch Chelsea vs. Lille in USA & Canada
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 22
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- USA TV Channel: CBS, Galavision
- USA Streaming: fuboTV, Paramount+
- Canada Streaming: DAZN
USA: The match will be carried in the United States on CBS (English) and Galavision (Spanish) with both channels streamed on fuboTV, which is available to new users on a free trial. CBS streaming platform Paramount+ will also feature the match for subscribers.
Canada: Tuesday’s first leg between Chelsea and LOSC Lille from Stamford Bridge will be streamed exclusively in Canada by DAZN.
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Chelsea vs. Lille betting odds
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction (Canada sportsbook)
The teams faced each other as recently as 2019 in the Champions League group stages. Chelsea won both games 2-1, as they each topped their group.
The Blues have only lost once in 18 games and haven’t lost a knockout match in the Champions League since August 2020.
Lille is in the knockout rounds for the first time since facing Manchester United back in the 2006-07 season, and has never gone past this stage.
Both teams have strengthened since their last meeting, but Chelsea starts as the favorite and based on the odds, can be expected to overcome the French champions in a low-scoring first-leg victory.