After an undesired result against Everton in the Premier League, Chelsea have to shift their focus to the Champions League, and the last game of the group stage, where they face Lille at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard’s side succumbed to their fifth defeat of the Premier League this past weekend against a charged Everton side under Duncan Ferguson.
The Blues are third in Group H of the Champions League, level on points with Valencia, and two points behind leaders Ajax. They will need to win to proceed to the knockout stages of the competition, or draw and hope Ajax defeat Valencia.
In the reverse fixture, Chelsea defeated Lille 2-1 in France.
Chelsea Team News
Tammy Abraham took another knock in the game against Everton, but he finished the game, which may allay any fears of another injury.
Antonio Rüdiger has yet to return to the squad, despite being fit. He could perhaps return to the squad, if not the Chelsea lineup, for this key Champions League tie.
Ross Barkley returned to the Chelsea squad for the Everton game, but was an unused substitute. The absence of Fikoyo Tomori will be an issue for Lampard as the defender has done well at the back.
Let’s take a look at the possible Chelsea lineup for the game against Lille on Tuesday:
Predicted Chelsea Lineup vs Lille
Goalkeeper
Kepa should start in goal for the Blues in this game, and for a game of this magnitude, he will have to be more composed than he was against Everton in the last game.
Defence
Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma started in defence for the Premier League game, and we could see the duo once again line up at the heart of the defence with Tomori unavailable, and Rudiger not match fit yet.
Reece James was substituted late in the Everton game, but that was a tactical switch and not due to any injury.
James could continue at right-back, while Emerson could come in at left-back in place of César Azpilicueta in the Chelsea lineup.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante started in the middle of the park on Saturday, with the former scoring Chelsea’s only game.
We could see the two continue with Jorginho joining them in midfield in place of Mason Mount in the Chelsea lineup.
Attack
Tammy Abraham will continue as the main striker if he is passed fit, while Christian Pulisic and Willian should retain their places on the left and right side of attack, respectively.
If Abraham is not fit, Michy Batshuayi could replace him up front in the Chelsea lineup.
