We preview this afternoon's game as Chelsea Under-19s prepare to take on Lille in Group H of the UEFA Youth League...
After an entertaining group opener at Cobham in which Chelsea and Valencia shared six goals and a point apiece, the team are in France on matchday two searching for our first win of the 2019/20 UEFA Youth League.
When and where
The young Blues are in action at Area de Luchin in northern France. Kick-off is 1pm UK time.
The form
We continued our unbeaten start to the Premier League 2 campaign with an impressive comeback from two goals down to snatch a point at Leicester City on Saturday. Prior to that, the Blues have victories over Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Derby County thus far.
Latest Chelsea Under-19s team news
Ian Maatsen and Tino Anjorin featured last time out in the Youth League, a week before the pair both made their senior debuts in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town. They are likely to be involved again for Andy Myers's side, as are Billy Gilmour, George McEachran and Tariq Lamptey.
Last time out in the UEFA Youth League
Myers’s youngsters battled well to secure an opening draw against Valencia at Cobham in mid-September. The Spanish team were pegged back on two occasions by Anjorin as the scores were level at the break. The Blues led for the first time in the fixture when Armando Broja struck on 61 minutes, but despite Chelsea’s best efforts, Valencia left with a point when Koindredi notched his second six minutes from time.
Previous meetings with French opposition in the UEFA Youth League
2015/16 - Final v Paris Saint-Germain
Result: W 2-1
Venue: Stade du Colovray, Nyon
Attendance: 4,000
Scorers: Fikayo Tomori 9, Kasey Palmer 61
Chelsea were crowned champions after an eventful final in Nyon, Tomori opening the scoring for the Blues, who were delighted to see Jean-Kevin Augustin denied from the spot two minutes later. PSG eventually drew level through Yakou Meite on 58 minutes, but our lead was thankfully restored soon after. Kasey Palmer's winner meant silverware for the Academy.
2018/19 – Play-off v Monaco
Result: W 3-1
Venue: Cobham
Scorers: Charlie Brown 41, 56, Conor Gallagher 77
Two excellent Charlie Brown finishes put daylight between Chelsea and Monaco before Conor Gallagher added a third from a perfect free-kick. Monaco pulled a goal back with five minutes left on the clock but it only proved to be a consolation as the Blues progressed through to the round-of-16 stage against Montpellier.
2018/19 – Round of 16 v Montpellier
Result: W 2-1
Venue: Cobham
Scorers: Juan Castillo 72 Luke McCormick 81
We were made to wait until 18 minutes from time for the opener in what was a cagey tie. Juan Castillo slotted home the rebound after Amine Ichalalen could only parry Luke McCormick's shot into his path. Montpellier equalised soon after through Amir Adouyev, setting up what was to be an entertaining final 12 minutes. However, Gallagher picked out McCormick inside the box who found the back of the net sending the Blues through to the quarter-final.
How things stand in Group H
Chelsea’s draw at Cobham has us in third place, level with Valencia. Lille are currently in fourth yet to register a point after a 4-0 defeat against Ajax in their opening fixture. A win against our French opponents will see Chelsea rise to first depending on results elsewhere in the group.
How to follow
Supporters are able to watch the tie live on BT Sport 2 at 1pm UK time. We will also have updates and team news on our official @chelseafc Twitter.