Chelsea head into Tuesday night's Champions League meeting with Lille knowing that victory is required in order to reach the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, after failing to win any of their five matches, Lille make the trip to Stamford Bridge having already finished in bottom spot in Group H.
Match preview
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After witnessing his team lose three of their last five matches in all competitions, Frank Lampard is aware that his team have reached a stage where they must start to deliver an improved period of results and performances.
While Lampard heaped praise on his side after their win over Aston Villa last Wednesday, the Englishman was equally disappointed with how his team succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Regardless of how Chelsea fare against Lille, Lampard is looking for his players to show signs of progress, especially at the back where they continue to concede soft goals.
The Blues remain with just four clean sheets from 24 outings, and they will always risk undermining their efforts at the other end of the pitch until they stop making individual and collective mistakes in their own defensive third.
Despite the capitulation at Goodison Park, Chelsea remain as clear favourites to get the result they need on Tuesday, although they face Lille at a time when Christophe Galtier's team are beginning to show their true capabilities.
Three successive triumphs - all by a 1-0 scoreline - have helped move Lille back into contention for second place behind runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
While there will be a tinge of disappointment that goals are proving harder to come by, Galtier will be delighted with the character of his squad after their poor performances in Europe.
That said, striker Victor Osimhen has netted twice during those recent successes, taking his overall tally for the season to 11 goals from 21 outings in all competitions.
Chelsea Champions League form: LWWDD
Chelsea form (all competitions): WLDLWL
Lille Champions League form: LLDLL
Lille form (all competitions): DLLWWW
Team News
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Lampard will make changes to his starting lineup on Tuesday night, with Jorginho almost certain to return in the centre of midfield.
However, rather than replace either N'Golo Kante or Mateo Kovacic, the Italian could get the nod over Mason Mount.
Fikayo Tomori and Emerson Palmieri are also pushing for recalls in defence, although Antonio Rudiger is only likely to make the substitutes' bench at best after recovering from a groin injury.
With Lille having had an extra day of recovery, Galtier could opt to name the same team which began the encounter with Brest on Friday night.
That would mean a starting role for former Swansea City loanee Renato Sanches, with ex-Chelsea attacker Loic Remy being selected among the replacements.
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Palmieri; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Pulisic, Abraham
Lille possible starting lineup: Maignan; Celik, Fonte, Gabriel, Bradaric; Xeka, Andre; Sanches, Ikone, Bamba; Osimhen
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Lille
Given Chelsea's recent inconsistent form, this could prove to be a cagey affair. However, while their struggles at the back could give Lille something to work with, we feel that the Premier League outfit will grind out an important win.
Darren Plant
