Lille vs Chelsea: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Lille and Chelsea will resume their battle on Wednesday night
Lille and Chelsea will resume their battle on Wednesday night / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
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Given everything that has happened off-field, it feels like a lifetime ago that Champions League holders Chelsea despatched Lille 2-0 in their last 16 first leg back in February.

However, despite impending seismic upheaval following club owner Roman Abramovich's decision to sell and the sanctions imposed on him following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Blues have remained in fine form on the pitch.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel will hope his players can continue to shut out the noise and get the job done when they make the relatively short trip to northern France on Wednesday night for the second leg - and the German joked he'll drive them there himself if the measures mean they're unable to afford a flight.

Here's everything you need to know about the match...


How to watch Lille vs Chelsea on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Wednesday 16 March, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Highlights? BT Sport YouTube channel
Referee? Davide Massa (ITA)
VAR?
Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)


Lille team news

Lille are unbeaten in their three matches since the first leg, but suffered a huge blow on Friday when influential midfielder Renato Sanches picked up an injury.

The Portugal international was forced off after just 25 minutes of Les Dogues' goalless draw with Saint-Etienne. His midfield partner Benjamin Andre missed that game through illness but could return in time.


Chelsea team news

Tuchel may have a selection headache on the right side of defence, with Reece James still missing with a muscular problem and Cesar Azpilicueta recently struggling with illness.

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi - who has also deputised at wing-back - is out with a calf injury, while Ben Chilwell remains the only long-term absentee following his surgery on a damaged ACL.


Lille vs Chelsea head-to-head record

Before the first leg, the two clubs' meetings in the 2019/20 Champions League group stage were their only encounters in competitive action to date, with both resulting in 2-1 victories for what was then Frank Lampard's Chelsea side.

The Blues were comfortable winners in the first leg, courtesy of goals in each half from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.


Lille vs Chelsea score prediction

You can't help but feel that the job is basically done for Chelsea here following their efficient first leg showing.

Although Lille saw plenty of the ball, they never really posed a threat to the home side's staunch rearguard at Stamford Bridge, and the absence of Sanches - who was their standout performer in the first leg - will blunt their attack.

Don't expect an all-out attacking display from the visitors on Wednesday night, but they'll get the job done with no frills and relative ease.

Prediction: Lille 0-1 Chelsea


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