This week is the second batch of UEFA Champions League First Leg fixtures for the Last 16. Tuesday’s big game sees last season’s winners, Chelsea host Lille at Stamford Bridge. The Blue’s finished second in Group H and were fortunate to be drawn against the reigning Ligue 1 champions.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 PM EST and will be shown live on CBS.
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GUIDES
How To Stream Champions League In The US
UEFA Champions League Competition Details
CHELSEA VS LILLE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING LINES
*Odds Taken from DraftKings Sunday, February 20th, 6:35 PM EST
CHELSEA
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away | Goals For | Goals Against | Total Goals | xG For | xG Against | Total xG | xG Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Tottenham | Home | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.3 | +0.5 |
| FA Cup | Plymouth Argyle (AET) | Home | 2 | 1 | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| FIFA Club World Cup | Al-Hilal Saudi | Neutral | 1 | 0 | 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| FIFA Club World Cup | Palmeiras (AET) | Neutral | 2 | 1 | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Premier League | Crystal Palace | Away | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | +0.6 |
| Total / Average Per Game | 8 / 1.6 | 2 / 0.4 | 10 / 2 | 2.1 / 1.05 | 1.0 / 0.5 | 3.1 / 1.55 | +1.1 / +0.55 |
Stats taken from FBREF
Out: Mason Mount (Ankle), Ben Chilwell (ACL), Reece James (Thigh)
Doubtful: César Azpilicueta (Undisclosed), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Knock)
Suspended: None
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
The biggest question facing Thomas Tuchel is who does he pick to lead the line? Romelu Lukaku had a terrible game against Crystal Palace at the weekend, touching the ball seven times despite being on the pitch for the whole game and Chelsea having 57% possession.
I think Tuchel will keep faith with his $138 million summer signing and instruct him to occupy 38-year-old center-back José Fonte. If he is benched, we will see Timo Werner or Kai Havertz taking up the central position in the front three.
The other decision facing Chelsea’s manager is whether to go with a three or four-man defense? I think it will be a back four with Marcos Alonso coming in for Malang Sarr. The Spaniard has made a timely return and came off the bench to provide the assist for Hakim Ziyech’s 89th-minute winner at the weekend.
Mateo Kovačić will join Jorginho and N’Golo Kanté in central midfield. Andreas Christensen will continue to deputize at right-back with Reece James out and César Azpilicueta struggling with an undisclosed issue.
LILLE
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away | Goals For | Goals Against | Total Goals | xG For | xG Against | Total xG | xG Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | FC Lorient | Home | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.0 | +0.4 |
| Ligue 1 | Stade Brestois | Away | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | +0.5 |
| Ligue 1 | PSG | Home | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 4.1 | -1.7 |
| Ligue 1 | Montpellier | Away | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.5 | +0.3 |
| Ligue 1 | Metz | Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.6 | +0.8 |
| Total / Average | 5 / 1 | 8 / 1.6 | 13 / 2.6 | 7.2 / 1.44 | 6.9 / 1.38 | 14.1 / 2.82 | +0.3 / +0.06 |
Stats taken from FBREF
Out: Angel Gomes (Calf)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Coach: Jocelyn Gourvennec
The only injury concern facing Jocelyn Gourvennec is Angel Gomes. The English attacker exited Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Metz on 27 minutes with a calf injury and was replaced by Timothy Weah.
Renato Sanches came off the bench at the weekend for his first appearance in nearly a month. He will likely start this match in place of his fellow countryman Xeka.
CHELSEA VS LILLE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING TIPS
Despite Chelsea’s recent struggles, they should have enough quality and experience to beat a Lille side who have struggled for goals recently and last reached this stage of the competition in 2006/07. At -300, we’re going to have to delve into the Parlay or Same Game Parlay (SGP) markets to find value, and there are a few options:
- Chelsea To Win and Under 3.5 Goals at -125. The last time one of their matches finished with four or more goals was eight games ago.
- Halftime/Fulltime Chelsea/Chelsea at -135. With home advantage, The Blues should control this game from kickoff and could easily score an early goal.
- Chelsea to Win to Nil, which can be achieved by selecting a SGP of Chelsea Moneyline and Both Teams To Score NO at +100.
My advice is to take the first option. Canadian international Jonathan David has found the net 15 times for Lille this season, and Hatem Ben Arfa could provide some magic from the bench late on.
When making this bet, make sure you use the Same Game Parlay. The odds work out to +105 compared to -125 if you select it under the Parlay tab.
BETTING TIP: Same Game Parlay Chelsea To Win and Under 3.5 Goals +105
WHERE TO BET UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN THE US
In the U.S., you can legally bet on soccer in more than two dozen states. You can bet online in some states, but only in-person betting is allowed in most of them.
DraftKings Sportsbook is available in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
