Predicted Chelsea XI to face LOSC Lille in the UEFA Champions League
Chelsea romped home to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday and Frank Lampard will be looking for his first victory as a manager in Europe when the Blues make the trip to France to lock horns with LOSC Lille on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues went down 1-0 at home against Valencia in their Group H opener and they will be looking to get back to winning ways in the competition when they make the trip to Lille, who were beaten comprehensively by last year’s semi-finalists Ajax on Matchday 1.
With Valencia and Ajax winning their opening fixtures, the route to the Round-of-16 is going to be far from easy for Chelsea, although they will be fancying their chances of edging past Lille on Wednesday night.
Team News
Olivier Giroud hasn’t featured in the last three games due to an illness but he will be pushing for a return on Wednesday, as will be Kurt Zouma, who is also expected to be available for selection following a minor illness.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (calf), Emerson (thigh) and Antonio Rudiger (groin) are all ruled out for the clash, while N’Golo Kante’s selection will be subject to a late fitness test after the Frenchman missed the game against Brighton due to a tight hamstring.
Manager: Frank Lampard
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted XI
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK)
The Spaniard didn’t have too much to do between the sticks against Brighton but he will be high on confidence after a well-deserved clean sheet.
2. Marcos Alonso (LB)
He had a decent game last time around but Chelsea will need more from him if they are to come away with three points from a tricky trip to Lille on Wednesday.
3. Fikayo Tomori (CB)
The young centre-back put in yet another assured display at the heart of the defence against Brighton on Saturday and he is growing in confidence with each passing game.
4. Andreas Christensen (CB)
The Dane has blown a bit hot and cold early in the season but he will need to be at the top of his game to cope with a potent Lille attack.
5. Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)
The club-captain has done well to retain his place in the starting eleven following the return of Reece James from injury and the Blues will rely heavily on his experience once again.
6. Jorginho (CDM)
The Italian’s all-round display against Brighton was arguably his best of the season thus far and Chelsea will need him to play the anchor role in the middle of the park to good effect on Wednesday to keep Lille at bay.
7. Mateo Kovacic (RCM)
The Croatian international came off the bench on Saturday but he is expected to start ahead of Ross Barkley, who had a rather mediocre outing in the Premier League and missed a penalty against Valencia on Matchday 1.
8. Mason Mount (LCM)
The youngster put in yet another industrious and creative display in the last game and he will be expected to continue his good work.
9. Willian (LW)
The veteran has shown a lot of promise in recent games but Chelsea will need better end product from him on Wednesday if they are to bag all three points.
10. Christian Pulisic (RW)
The United States international has been relegated to bench duty by Lampard for some unknown reason but he might get a start in the midweek fixture after a long rest.
- More Chelsea News
- Why Chelsea should try and win the race for Wigan starlet Joe Gelhardt
- Why Chelsea should go all out to sign Thomas Meunier in January
- Why Chelsea should sign Nathan Ake once their transfer ban is lifted
11. Tammy Abraham (ST)
The powerful centre-forward was unlucky to not grab a goal on Saturday but he has been in red-hot form and Chelsea will need him to fire on all cylinders against Lille.
