Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Both Lille and Feyenoord Rotterdam are on the cusp of the top eight in the Champions League standings. A victory in this match could secure a direct spot in the round of 16 for one of these sides, depending on other results.
Lille
Lille dented their chances last week with a 1:2 loss to Liverpool, but given their elite status, there was little the French side could do. Bookmakers remain cautious about Lille, rating them as slight underdogs. Their confidence may have been further shaken by a similar 1:2 defeat to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 over the weekend. However, both losses occurred away from home. At the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille have been formidable. Since losing to Paris Saint-Germain (1:3) on 1 September, they have remained unbeaten at home, with six wins and four draws, including notable Champions League victories over Real Madrid (1:0) and Sturm Graz (3:2). Their last home outing on 18 January saw them edge OGC Nice 2:1 in Ligue 1.
Feyenoord Rotterdam
Feyenoord catapulted themselves into contention for a direct play-off spot with an emphatic 3:0 win over Bayern Munich in the previous round. However, that victory came in Rotterdam, where Feyenoord were significantly stronger. While the Dutch side have managed notable away wins over Girona and Benfica, the context is important: Girona are long out of contention, and Benfica are still fighting for their place among the top 24. In other away matches, Feyenoord have struggled, even against mid-table Eredivisie teams like Willem II, with whom they drew 1:1 on Saturday.
Lille vs Feyenoord Rotterdam Prediction
Given Feyenoord’s inconsistent away form and Lille’s impressive home record, it’s difficult to see the visitors securing even a draw. Lille have been prolific at home, scoring freely and showcasing their ability to beat strong teams.
