Ace Football previews the Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea lock horns in Bucharest on Tuesday night in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie, with the return fixture set to take place three weeks later in London on March 17.
While this match is technically Atletico’s home round, COVID-19 protocols in Spain have forced this fixture to be moved to Bucharest. So, with home advantage gone, the Spanish side will be desperate to bag a strong result in the Romanian capital.
A close and intense affair may be on the cards. Both sides are solid in defense, having kept 11 clean sheets each in their respective league campaigns, were evenly matched in the past, and cannot afford to lose. Bookings can also be expected, with referee Felix Brych handing out 34 yellow cards in his nine European games in 2020.
Atletico Madrid Form & Stats
Diego Simeone is a knockout specialist in Europe, having guided Atletico to two Champions League finals and Europa League titles. These two-legged ties are perfectly suited for his defensively robust tactics. And given the way Liverpool fell in the last-16 last season, he will surely fancy his chances against Chelsea.
But while Atletico sit on top of the LaLiga table, they have suffered a dip in form. A 2-0 home defeat to Levante last weekend, in fact, means only one victory has come in their last four league games (D2). The Madrid giants also struggled in the Champions League group stages, with only two wins in six games (D3 L1) to finish second in Group A.
Discipline is another factor to weigh in. Simeone’s men have already collected 60 yellow cards for LaLiga’s third-worst disciplinary record. Stefan Savic is the biggest culprit in this regard. The center-back has 10 yellow cards in the league, two in the Champions League, and has been booked in 11 of his last 14 games in all competitions.
Luis Suarez, meanwhile, has enjoyed a prolific start since his transfer from Barcelona last summer. The striker has added another dimension in attack and could cause Chelsea problems if the likes of Marcos Llorente provide the right service. He hasn’t scored away from home in the Champions League, though, since September 2015.
Key Team Stats
- Failed to keep a clean sheet in 9 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
- Worst goal record of clubs in the last-16 with 7 goals in 6 group stage games.
- Won 9 of their 11 two-legged knockout contests with English teams, including against Chelsea in 2013/14.
- Stefan Savic has had a yellow card in 11 of his last 14 games in all competitions.
- Koke (9) and Saul Niguez (5) have also been booked on several occasions this season, with the team averaging 2.5 yellow cards-per-game in LaLiga.
- Luis Suarez hasn’t scored away from home in the Champions League since September 2015 nor scored a single goal in Europe this season.
Chelsea Form & Stats
Thomas Tuchel faces his biggest test as Chelsea manager so far. The German has enjoyed an unbeaten start since his January appointment, winning five and drawing twice in his seven games in charge. He’s also made some notable changes already.
One difference is how Chelsea have pressed the opposition more consistently compared to Frank Lampard’s reign. They’ve averaged over 18 tackles in the last four games. In fact, N’Golo Kante managed an impressive seven tackles in the 1-1 draw at Southampton on Saturday, and his steals may prove key in undoing Atletico’s rock-solid defense and earn him a possible booking.
The Blues, like their Spanish opponents, seem to save their best for last. Most of their Premier League (29.3%) and Champions League (35.7%) goals have come in the final 15 minutes. They’ve also scored the most away goals (10) in Europe and thrashed their last Spanish opponents Sevilla 4-0 in Andalusia back in December.
One player perhaps worth keeping an eye on is Mason Mount. The midfielder has thrived under Tuchel, with two goals in his last three outings, and he’s averaged 2.4 shots-per-match under the former Paris Saint-Germain coach so far.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in their 7 games under new manager Thomas Tuchel (W5 D2).
- Most away goals in the Champions League (10) in 3 games.
- Second-best defensive record in Champions League on 2 conceded goals & 4 clean sheets. Only Manchester City (1) have done better.
- Haven’t reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 2013/14.
- N’Golo Kante has had 7 yellow cards in all competitions.
- Drawn 3 of their last 6 Champions League games against Atletico Madrid (W1 D2).
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Out: Yannick Carrasco, Sime Vrsaljko, Jose Gimenez, Kieran Trippier, Hector Herrera.
Doubts: N/A.
Chelsea
Out: Thiago Silva.
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Champions League
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in Champions League.
Betting Tips
More Odds
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