Football tips: Phil Thompson’s 5/1 shout for Chelsea v Lille

Thommo's backing Tuchel's men to ease past the French champions

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Following five winning shouts in the Premier League over the weekend, Thommo is looking to keep up his fine run of tipping form and casts his eye to the Champions League Last 16.

Chelsea have been handed a favourable draw against reigning French champions Lille who are currently a far-cry from their title winning best of last season.

Thommo has delved into the numbers ahead of the first leg at Stamford Bridge and picked out his best bets including a 5/1 punt on the correct score.

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Chelsea v Lille: Champions League Last 16, first-leg
Tuesday, February 22: 8pm
BT Sport 2

THOMMO: You know, you listen to Thomas Tuchel at the weekend and he was firing up all kinds of excuses; jet lag, getting colds from the air conditioning, the travelling time – he was throwing everything out there. 

There is a bit in that but at the same time, Romelu Lukaku not having more than seven touches in the whole 90 minutes was truly amazing at any time and they needed Hakim Ziyech’s 89th minute goal. 

They got fortunate and did look a little porous against an average Crystal Palace side so that is a bit worrying. And then there’s the EFL Cup final on Sunday against Liverpool, so team selection-wise, what is he going to go with? 

This is a Lille side that smashed Ligue 1 last season but they sit 11th now. They’ve only won nine out of 25 games so its a massive drop off they’ve had. 

Lille drew 0-0 with Metz on Friday and they only had one shot on target with 64 percent possession which is very, very worrying. 

I actually think Chelsea will win this at a canter and I don’t think they will concede.

So I am going with Chelsea to win this and I’ve gone for 2-0. I think it’ll be a comfortable one where they won’t have to exert themselves too much. 

And who am I putting down as my man to score anytime? Lukaku. I think they’ll play him to try and get him scoring before the cup final on Sunday

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

THOMMO’S CHELSEA V LILLE TIPS

Correct score: Chelsea 2-0 Lille
Romelu Lukaku to score anytime

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