Champions League: Blues can take control of Lille tie

Chelsea will look to maintain a 100% winning record against Lille when they play hosts to the Ligue 1 outfit in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Blues have been edging out wins in recent weeks, but they are due a more commanding performance and one on Tuesday night, against an inconsistent Lille side, can see Chelsea put one foot in the quarter-finals.

A Chelsea win is available at 1.33, with a surprising away victory on offer at 11.5. A stalemate in west London is 5.6.

Blues have quality to take control

Chelsea have only played Lille on two previous occasions, with the current European champions winning 2-1 both home and away against the French outfit in the 2019/20 campaign.

Having come through the distraction of the Club World Cup, a win by whatever means was important in the first Premier League game back against Crystal Palace.

The Blues were far from their best, but they did manage to grind out an important 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park to strengthen their claim for a top-four finish.

Now with attention switching to the defence of their European crown, Chelsea will be determined to take a commanding lead across The Channel for the second leg on March 16.

Over 2.5 goals and a Chelsea win would have landed in their two previous meetings and that's available at 2.26.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his side can take a big lead to France for the second leg

Lille struggling to hit last season’s heights

After a tremendous effort to win the Ligue 1 title ahead of big spenders Paris Saint-Germain last season, Lille have found it difficult to get back to that level this term.

Some key figures who helped Lille to the title moved on to pastures new last summer, including keeper Mike Maignan who made the switch to AC Milan. Maignan managed to keep a remarkable 21 clean sheets as Lille only conceded 23 goals in their 38 league games last term.

Lille, who sit down in 11th place in the French top flight, have already conceded 35 goals in 25 games so far this season, and their defensive fragility is something Chelsea will be looking to exploit.

Expect the Blues’ attacking threats to come to the fore and a strong lead to be built up before the second leg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Ziyech can continue scoring form

Having been linked with a move away from Chelsea in the January transfer window, Hakim Ziyech has hit form just at the right time of the season.

Scoring in all of his last three Premier League games, including the crucial 89th-minute winner against Palace, Ziyech is playing with plenty of confidence in front of goal.

The Moroccan international is available at 6.8 to bag the opening goal of the game on Tuesday night, and 3.05 to find the back of the net anytime in what should be a high-scoring encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Recommended Bets

Over 2.5 goals at 2.26

Ziyech anytime at 3.05