Chelsea will welcome Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, hoping to avoid defeat and book a place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The Blues managed to get the better of the Spanish giants in the first leg by a 1-0 scoreline. Hence, both sides will fancy their chances of success in this upcoming meeting at the English capital.
Talking Tactics
Thomas Tuchel will probably opt for a 3-4-2-1 formation and could instruct his players to keep a solid shape so that they can catch the Atletico defenders off-guard on the counter. The German manager will ask his wide players to deliver some decent crosses to Olivier Giroud during the game.
Diego Simeone will set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation and is going to rely on Joao Felix and Luiz Suarez to bang in the goals in the final third. The Madrid outfit are expected to defend in numbers and are will try to keep themselves in the tie for as long as possible in search of a crucial away goal.
Team News
Chelsea
Both Mason Mount and Jorginho are suspended for this clash and won’t be available for selection. Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham are significant concerns ahead of this game and are unlikely to be risked in midweek.
Chelsea Predicted XI
Mendy, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Werner, Ziyech, Giroud
Atletico Madrid
Jose Gimenez is unlikely to be risked in this match. Otherwise, Simeone doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns to cope with ahead of this game.
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI
Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso, Correa, Koke, Saul, Carrasco, Felix, Suarez
Key Men
Chelsea
Both Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud will have to carry most of Chelsea’s goal-scoring burden in the attacking third. The performance of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in midfield could very well determine the fate of this contest.
Atletico Madrid
Luis Suarez and Joao Felix will be Atletico’s best source for goals. At the other end, Jan Oblak can expect a busy night, so he will have to pull off some important saves to keep his side in the tie.
Odds
The Blues are 6/5 favourites to emerge victorious in the second leg as well. The draw has been listed at 47/20, while the Spanish team are 12/5 underdogs to secure a positive result at Stamford Bridge later this week.
