Chelsea vs Lille Predictions

• Lille are the lowest scoring group winners in this competition in the last five seasons
• Chelsea’s last eight games have all featured fewer than three goals
• The Blues saw under 2.5 goals in all seven of their Champions League knockout games last term

Chelsea slog through February

Chelsea returned to Premier League action with a win on Saturday, but they struck late to beat Crystal Palace. It hasn’t been a great month for the Blues, despite the fact they’ve come out on top in each of their games this month.

Chelsea are on a five-game winning run, although two of those victories came in extra-time. None of the performances were particularly impressive, but the Blues remain competitive in three cup competitions, having lifted two trophies this term. However, will their uninspiring form be enough in Europe?

Plum draw for holders

Chelsea may not be at their best right now, but they are heavy favourites for the last eight after twice landing the easiest tie on paper back in December. Chelsea blew top spot in their group late in their final group match, but lining up against a Lille side who are mid-table in Ligue 1 makes the holders heavy favourites for a quarter-final berth.

While the visitors are French champions and group winners, they topped one of the most open pools in the competition. Lille (7) come into this round as the lowest scoring group winners since both Leicester City and Atletico Madrid in 2016-17, so they don’t exactly pack much of a punch.

Cagey Blues to triumph

Chelsea have seen under 2.5 goals land in their last eight matches, while last season Thomas Tuchel’s men made it incredibly tough for European opposition. They kept five clean sheets in seven knockout games, all of which saw under 2.5 goals.

Lille have kept back-to-back clean sheets heading into this tie, so expect them to look to keep things tight at Stamford Bridge. The Blues aren’t looking all that expansive, so back under 2.5 goals in this clash.

Chelsea have only lost one of their previous 10 home European matches against sides from France, so back them to come out on top here. They are meeting the 11th-best side from France, so back the Blues to edge out a 1-0 win.