The UEFA Champions League returns with mouthwatering ties. Interesting, Chelsea face Lille as the ‘unseeded’ home team in this encounter. Meanwhile, Lille is the ‘seeded’ team according to their group stage finish (Lille finished first, while Chelsea second), although Chelsea are favorites to win this match. 

Lille are not to be underestimated though, they’re worthy opponents and they finished first in their group for a reason. In recent months, Chelsea has proven to be a formidable attacking team. This is a tougher battle to predict than the odds imply because Lille has firepower, and Hatem Ben Arfa shone in the recent loss to PSG, but Jonathan David will be hoping for the return of striker partner Burak Yilmaz so he can return to his favored wide position. 

Two seasons ago, the Blues faced Lille in the Champions League group stage and won both games 2-1. This meeting will be less interesting, since Chelsea won two of its six group-stage matches by a score of 1-0. This will be more of the same, though hedging and a stalemate is a likely outcome here, and Betfred is providing a generous 9/2 for a stalemate.