Chelsea are yet to secure progress through to the Champions League last 16 as they head into their final Group H clash against Lille tonight.
Ajax, Valencia and the Blues have all been locked in a fascinating three-way battle for qualification, with Frank Lampard's side currently third in that tussle after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Mestalla last month.
They will reach the first knockout round with a win against Lille, while a draw would also be enough if Valencia are beaten by group leaders Ajax in Amsterdam.
Chelsea will top the group if they win and their rivals play out a draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Tuesday's visitors to Stamford Bridge do not even have the consolation prize of a place in the Europa League to fight for, with four defeats and no victories from five matches so far ensuring they will finish bottom of the pile.
Champions League preview
Chelsea vs Lille
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off time: 8:00pm GMT, Tuesday, December 10
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Lille
Lille have picked up just one solitary point during the current Champions League campaign, though do now sit third in Ligue 1 after a trio of successive 1-0 victories.
Chelsea have been inconsistent in Europe this term and defended wretchedly in a shock defeat by managerless Everton on Saturday, but they will still fancy themselves to qualify with relative ease.
Team news
Frank Lampard is weighing up a significant gamble over whether to include Antonio Rudiger for only his second appearance since April 28 in Chelsea’s crucial Champions League showdown against Lille.
Rudiger has suffered knee and groin problems this term but Lampard has struggled to plug a leaky defence which has kept just four clean sheets in all competitions this season and Rudiger’s return would be a boost if anywhere near his best.
The 26-year-old’s chances of inclusion were increased by news Fikayo Tomori will be missing due to a minor hip problem while in attack Olivier Giroud is still sidelined with illness.
Lampard is likely to recall Jorginho to the base of Chelsea’s midfield while he could look to freshen things up on the flanks with Callum Hudson-Odoi pushing to start.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was criticised for his poor performance in defeat at Everton last time out but the Chelsea goalkeeper will surely retain his place.
Chelsea possible: Kepa, James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi.
Tickets
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Betting tips and odds
Match odds
- Chelsea to win: 1/4
- Draw: 6/1
- Lille to win: 16/1
Correct score
| Scoreline | Chelsea win | Lille win | Draw |
| 1-0 | 8/1 | 41/1 | 0-0 (29/1) |
| 2-0 | 13/2 | 249/1 | 1-1 (15/1) |
| 2-1 | 10/1 | 49/1 | 2-2 (29/1) |
| 3-0 | 7/1 | 18/1 |
Odds provided by Betfair Exchange. Click here to place a bet. Odd correct as of December 8.
TV channel and live stream information
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate, and can be streamed live online via the BT Sport video player and the BT Sport app.
You can follow all the action and analysis on Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to head (h2h) results and history
October's clash between these two sides was settled by a fine second-half Willian volley after Abraham's opening goal had been quickly cancelled out by Victor Osimhen.
That was their first competitive meeting.
