UEFA Champions League title holders Chelsea will host on Tuesday Lille in the first leg of the last 16 with the Blues are favorite to lead the game and secure win.
The reigning champions finishing second in the group stages is hardly the ideal recipe for success, but Chelsea were comfortably through to the knockout rounds in the end, even if Zenit St Petersburg did hold Thomas Tuchel's side to a thrilling 3-3 draw on the final matchday.
Following up their European success by becoming world champions earlier this year, the results have been there for Chelsea - currently on a five-game winning streak across all tournaments - but the performances not so much.
Team News
Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount is still struggling with ankle damage but has a slim chance of being available alongside Cesar Azpilicueta, although there is less optimism over Callum Hudson-Odoi's condition.
Ben Chilwell continues to recuperate from his devastating ACL injury as Reece James steps up his recovery from a hamstring issue, but the right-back will not be available for the first leg after catching the flu.
Another uninspiring performance from Romelu Lukaku at the weekend could lead Tuchel to consider a recall for Timo Werner, and Marcos Alonso should also make his return to the first XI after assisting Ziyech's late winner against Palace.
As for Lille, Angel Gomes had to be withdrawn after just 27 minutes against Metz with a calf problem, so the door is open for Hatem Ben Arfa or Timothy Weah to start at Stamford Bridge.
Edon Zhegrova's red card at the weekend means nothing for this game but he is unlikely to start in any case, while Jose Fonte and Burak Yilmaz will miss the second leg if they are booked here.
Gourvennec will surely consider introducing Renato Sanches from the first whistle in place of Xeka, and Zeki Celik ought to displace Tiago Djalo at right-back after serving a domestic suspension.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz; Werner
Lille possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Weah, Andre, Sanches, Bamba; David, Yilmaz
How to watch the match?
The match will be aired here live.
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