Champions League: LOSC Lille vs. Chelsea preview, team news, predictions, TV and live stream details

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard oversees training ahead of the Lille match

(Image credit: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 2 October 2019

LOSC Lille vs. Chelsea

What: Uefa Champions League group H, matchday two
When: Wednesday 2 October
Where: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve d’Ascq, Lille, France
Kick-off time: 8pm (BST)
TV and live stream: BT Sport 2 and sport.bt.com

Today’s back pages: seven and hell for humiliated Tottenham 2019-20 Uefa Champions League: matchday four fixtures, results, group standings, winner betting odds

Chelsea lost 1-0 at home against Valencia last time out while French club Lille were beaten 3-0 in Amsterdam against Ajax.

Lille winger Jonathan Bamba knows that the clash against Frank Lampard’s side is critical.

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He said: “This game is key for us after a poor start at Ajax. We’re focused on doing well and eradicate the mistakes we made in the first game.

“Chelsea misfired in their first game but they are a free-scoring team in the Premier League. We’ll need to be efficient in defence to stop their attacks and convert our chances.”

Confidence is back

Chelsea manager Lampard believes if his side can play to their best and build on their previous two domestic results they can secure points in France.

Since losing to Valencia and Liverpool the Blues found their scoring boots by beating Grimsby 7-1 in the league cup and Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League.

Lampard said: “We have to be honest. Valencia wasn’t the worst game for us, we played okay and should’ve got a result, but it was a harsh lesson in switching off for a second and losing a match at this level.

“That idea ramps up even more when you play away from home at stadiums like this against top European teams. Lille have a lot of threats to us, particularly in attacking areas. They have a lot of speed and a lot of quality.

“It’s not the be all and end all [against Lille], there are four more games after this, we have to see the big picture, but as we sit here now it’s certainly a game we have to be very ready to try and pick up something.

“We can hopefully bring the confidence from the last two results back home. We have to trust that if we play at our best, we will get the result we want.”

TV and live stream details

The group H clash will be live on BT Sport 2. Coverage starts at 7pm and the match kicks off at 8pm. The broadcaster will also show a live stream of the game at sport.bt.com.

Valencia host Ajax in the other group H fixture (8pm, live on BT Sport Extra 2).

Team news and starting XIs

Lille team news

Uefa.com reports that American forward Timothy Weah is a major doubt because of a hamstring injury. Otherwise the Ligue 1 side have no suspensions or other injury worries.

Chelsea team news

Midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Olivier Giroud returned to training on Tuesday after missing the 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend. However, Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Palmieri did not train with the 24-man group.

Lampard revealed that Frenchman Kante will need to have a fitness test. The Chelsea boss said: “He is still one we have to assess but we are positive he will be fit to play.”

How the teams could line up

Lille possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Zeki Çelik, Gabriel, Fonte, Bradarić; Andre, Soumaré; Araújo, Ikoné, Bamba; Osimhen
Chelsea possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso; Kovačić, Jorginho; Pulišić, Mount, Willian; Abraham

Lille vs. Chelsea pundit predictions

Charlie Nicholas, Sky Sports: Lille 1 Chelsea 1

“This is a very awkward tie. I am trying to work out how Frank Lampard goes about this. When is the right time to put all of these youngsters in together? If he can use them, he would much prefer to use them at home. After being on a high, you do not want to flip the switch and raise question marks. He will go with a solid base I think for that reason. Lille drew 1-1 away at Nice at the weekend and are sitting pretty comfortable in fourth [in Ligue 1], so this is a test for Chelsea. I think they may get something from this, but it will be a more experienced Chelsea side that we see. Prediction: Lille 1-1 Chelsea.”

Tom Doyle, London Evening Standard: Lille 0 Chelsea 2

“The Blues may have lost their opening group game, but Lampard will hope that setback against Valencia will give his players a little focus on the task at hand. Expect a tight affair with Chelsea to seal an away win. Prediction: Lille 0-2 Chelsea.”

Ben Green, Squawka: Lille 1 Chelsea 1

“Chelsea have shown improvements under Lampard since their 4-0 humbling at Old Trafford earlier this season, but Lille have also proven a deadly proposition in Ligue 1, so don’t let their 3-0 slip up against Ajax overshadow the threat Galtier’s side truly possess. With the likes of Bamba, Ikone and Osimhen running at a Chelsea side without Rudiger and potentially Kante, the Great Danes should break their European duck on home turf, but so should Chelsea, with this matchup offering the potential for a very interesting and tight game. Prediction: Lille 1-1 Chelsea.”

Darren Plant, SportsMole: Lille 2 Chelsea 2

“Despite keeping their first shutout of the season against Brighton, Chelsea face a step up in class versus Lille. Both clubs will have a desire to score goals on Wednesday, and that could lead to an entertaining draw being played out in France. Prediction: Lille 2-2 Chelsea.”