Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – Home side to press Advantage against Blues

2020-21 UEFA Champions' League Round of 16 First-Leg preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Chelsea – Arena Nationala Bucuresti, Bucharest – Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 – 20:00 hrs BST

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea Prediction

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea Preview

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid and Chelsea face-off each other for a mouth-watering Champions' League Round of 16 first-leg clash at the National Arena, Bucharest on February 23rd night.

Both teams are out of disappointing results over the weekend with Chelsea being held to a 1-1 draw by a struggling Southampton in a Premier League clash and La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid suffering their first home defeat to underdogs Levante 0-2 on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid & Chelsea Last 5 Matches Form

Atletico La Liga form: W/D/W/D/L

Chelsea Premier League form: W/W/W/W/D

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea Team News

As for team news, Simeone suffered a huge blow at the back with central defender Jose Maria Gimenez limping out of action in the loss to Levante after taking a knock on the ankle. Thomas Lemar and Moussa Dembele who returned to clash against Levante will in all likelihood resume duties in the defense at Budapest with the latter filling in for the absent Gimenez.

Stefan Savic and Saul Niguez who missed Saturday's La Liga game owing to suspension will both be available. Right-back Kieran Trippier is suspended, which is one more blow to Simeone's defensive set-up. Yannick Carrasco could be one more casualty with an injury of the left leg musculature.

For Chelsea's new boss Thomas Tuchel, the only injury concern is Thiago Silva who will probably miss the trip to Hungary. Tuchel is expected to make some changes from the side that started in the draw against Southampton.  Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho and Andreas Christensen who all begun on the bench against the Saints could be given starts on Tuesday night.

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea probable Lineups

Atletico Madrid probable starting XI in a 3-4-1-2 formation: Oblak (goal); Savic, Felipe, Hermoso; Torreira, Niguez, Koke, Llorente; Correa; Suarez, Felix.

Chelsea probable starting XI in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Mendy (goal), Azpillicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Abraham

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea Verdict

In an otherwise splendid season, La Liga toppers Atletico Madrid's form has taken a beating of late having secured just one win in their last four. Chelsea on the other hand are unbeaten in all their six outings since Tuchel took over charge from Frank Lampard in late-January.

The Blues did secure a 2-1 win at Atletico the last time these two met in Spain back in 2017 and are in the better form coming into Tuesday's Budapest tie. Even in the absence of key defenders Jose Gimenez and Kieran Trippier, the home side should have enough to force the Blues to a low scoring draw.

Moreover, the dangerous Luiz Suarez still has it him to get goals and along with the likes of Joao Felix and Angel Correa have 34 between them so far.

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea betting Odds

• Atletico Madrid to win: 31/20
• Chelsea to win: 2/1
• Draw: 21/10

Correct Score odds

• Draw 0-0: 6/1
• Chelsea 1-0: 13/2
• Atletico Madrid 2-1: 9/1 (predicted score)
• Chelsea 2-1: 10/1
• Atletico Madrid 2-0: 10/1
• Chelsea 2-0: 12/1
• Atletico Madrid 3-1: 22/1
• Chelsea 3-1: 25/1

Anytime goal scorer odds

• Luis Suarez: 6/4
• Olivier Giroud: 15/8
• Tammy Abraham: 21/10
• Joao Felix: 21/10
• Timo Werner: 5/2
• Angel Correa: 3/1
• Christian Pulisic: 3/1
• Marcos Llorente: 7/2
• Callum Hudson-Odoi: 10/3

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