* 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.
I’m not being sarcastic when I say this – outside of Manchester City, you can very easily make a case for Atletico Madrid being the best team in Europe.
I’ll certainly allow for the argument that they’re capitalising on Barcelona and Real Madrid going through a period of rebirth. But you have to remember that while teams all around Europe are piecing together sub-two-points-per-game performances that still have them lead their respective divisions, Atletico Madrid sit atop La Liga with 55 points from 23 games.
Chelsea, for all their struggles, seemed to have turned a corner but last weekend’s draw against Southampton acts as a stark reminder that no matter how good you are in possession if you can’t find a second goal, you’re always susceptible to dropping needless points.
Tuesday 8pm: Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
BT Sport 2
I do wonder if this season is more of a feeling-out process for Thomas Tuchel and I particularly think they’re vulnerable in the Champions League against a side who have dangerous pace on the break.
This could all be set up for a ‘back down to earth’ moment for Chelsea, and it would be funny for it to come at the hands of the antithesis to Tuchel in Diego Simeone. Here’s a Bet Builder to capitalise on Chelsea’s woes.
MORE TIPS:
Atletico Madrid to Win
Atleti are only the price they are because of the venue switch to Bucharest. And while I admit it’s hardly ideal, which squad do you trust more to benefit – the experienced, hardened Atletico Madrid or the youthful Chelsea unit?
The Spanish outfit are missing Jose Gimenez, Yannick Carasco and Sime Vrsaljko but their depth has been key to their performances domestically to this point so I wouldn’t worry too much on that front.
Chelsea trying to keep the ball away against Atleti is perfect. It’s only when you sit in against them that they ever struggle to find the net – often having to resort to set pieces and wonder strikes.
Right now, the ability to find wins when they’re up against it is very much to the fore, even if recent results will require a refocus on that front. There’s nothing quite like being thrown out of your comfort zone in the Champions League to resharpen minds, is there?
Both Teams to Score
Unfortunately for Atleti, their reliance on clean sheets and being workmanlike has abandoned them as you’d expect. It’s not a sustainable approach even during a normal season so they were always going to have to weather storms at some point.
Unfortunately for them, the storm has coincided with a Champions League knockout tie. Atleti haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven league games and they’d be doing well to achieve that here without Jose Gimenez.
READ MORE:
Luis Suarez to Score Anytime
Because that’s just what he does. Suarez is the top scorer in La Liga this season with sixteen and he’s now gone three games in a row without a goal.
You inevitably know what that means – particularly as Chelsea’s centre half pairings aren’t exactly cute enough to be able to deal with his antics. He’s going to play until he’s 50, isn’t he?
Chelsea to Have Five or More Shots on Target
Ultimately having this much of the ball will ensure you’ll find the target, particularly as they’ll always get a yard of space when their wide players cut in.
Atleti don’t care about stopping shots; they care about stopping you from getting convenient angles from which to shoot from. You’re playing checkers while they’re playing, well, you know.
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea tips:
Atletico Madrid to Win
Both Teams to Score
Luis Suarez to Score Anytime
Chelsea to Have Five or More Shots on Target
A Bet Builder including these four picks pays around 20/1 with Paddy Power.
* 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.
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