Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds

By Andrew Thompson Published: March 16, 2021 2:45 pm

Chelsea FC

2

-

0

Atletico Madrid

Match ended

Show players

Emerson

90'

Alonso, Marcos
Chilwell, Benjamin

90'

Havertz, Kai
Emerson

90'

Werner, Timo
Hudson-Odoi, Callum

83'

81'

Savic, Stefan

Ziyech, Hakim
Pulisic, Christian

77'

72'

Koke

69'

Trippier, Kieran
Lemar, Thomas

60'

Gimenez, Jose

59'

Suarez, Luis
Correa, Angel

53'

Carrasco, Yannick
Dembele, Moussa

51'

Niguez, Saul

46'

Lodi, Renan
Hermoso, Mario

Ziyech, Hakim

34'

31'

Lodi, Renan

Havertz, Kai

30'

Starting lineup

Mendy, Edouard16

Azpilicueta, Cesar28

Zouma, Kurt15

Rudiger, Antonio2

James, Reece24

Kante, N`Golo7

Kovacic, Mateo17

Alonso, Marcos3

Werner, Timo11

Havertz, Kai29

Ziyech, Hakim22

13Oblak, Jan

23Trippier, Kieran

15Savic, Stefan

2Gimenez, Jose

12Lodi, Renan

14Llorente, Marcos

8Niguez, Saul

6Koke

21Carrasco, Yannick

7Felix, Joao

9Suarez, Luis

Substitutes

Arrizabalaga, Kepa1

Caballero, Willy13

Chilwell, Benjamin21

Emerson33

Gilmour, Billy23

Anjorin, Faustino55

Pulisic, Christian10

Giroud, Olivier18

Hudson-Odoi, Callum20

1Grbic, Ivo

31San Roman, Miguel

18Felipe

22Hermoso, Mario

24Vrsaljko, Sime

4Kondogbia, Geoffrey

5Torreira, Lucas

11Lemar, Thomas

16Herrera, Hector

20Vitolo

10Correa, Angel

19Dembele, Moussa

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid betting tips

This article covers Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid betting tips and predictions, and these are the betting odds.

o – Chelsea 6/5

o – Draw 9/4

o – Atletico Madrid 12/5

Note: All odds mentioned in this article are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid: Match details

Match: Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Date: March 17, 2021

Kick-off time: 8:00 pm, March 17, 2021 (UK time)

Stadium: Stamford Bridge

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 25: Referee, Slavko Vincic talks with Jose Gimenez of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moskva at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 25, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Betting prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Chelsea to beat Atletico Madrid 1-0

Betting odds: 11/2

There is a lot for Atlético Madrid to do when they try to gate-crash Chelsea’s hopes of lifting a European trophy. But at the moment, Thomas Tuchel has Chelsea looking immeasurably better under his command when you compare how the Blues were inconsistently performing with Frank Lampard at the reigns. Both clubs have the ability to shut their opponent down, and much of this will depend on how adventurous Diego Simeone is prepared to be to get the desired result. Chelsea should edge this one out, but it could be more entertaining than the predicted scoreline suggests.

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid: Recommended bets

To Win To Nil: Chelsea

Chelsea to win to nil vs Atletico Madrid

Betting odds: 12/5

Chelsea has been incredibly strong at the back since Tuchel’s mid-season appointment after his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain came to a conclusion. Many would have expected to be speaking of just how good Chelsea would be going forward under him, but he has quickly solved their instability at the back to spectacular results and that was on full display in the first leg as well. Another clean sheet or the Blues would hardly be a surprise result on Wednesday.

Correct Score: Chelsea 1-0

The Blues don’t need anything other than a 1-0 win to progress, and given their opponent on the day, they may not get many chances to increase that scoreline should they go on to win it. Knockout stage competitions are all about the result, after all.

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid: What are the betting odds?

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid – recent form and head to head statistics

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid: Match preview

Chelsea has yet to taste defeat under new manager Thomas Tuchel, posting an 8-4-0 record since his first match in charge in the 0-0 draw against Wolves just after Christmas. At current, the Krumbach-native has them looking nailed-on for a top-four finish in the Premier League if not higher, but the manner in which Chelsea have been getting result after result may be a bit surprising to some.

Known for being a brilliant tactician, and for the high-flying football on display first at Mainz 05 and then Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel has presided over a tactical refurbishment at Stamford Bridge that, rather than highlighting the wealth of attacking players in the first-team, has focused on Chelsea’s inconsistency at the back. And it has paid dividends since the very beginning.

The 1-0 away win against Atlético Madrid in the first leg is the type of result that is commensurate with what we have seen from the Blues since he has taken over. Off the back of this improvement, Chelsea (25) are just four goals off the best defensive record in the Premier League; Manchester City on 21 goals allowed. They are still well off the pace when it comes to their goal return, with sides like Leicester City, Manchester United – and of course City – are well-clear of them, but it has been the measure of consistency seen in all areas of play that has given the Blues the springboard to push on so quickly under the German.

And this level of performance and solidarity at the back is exactly the type of football that could push Chelsea deep into the knockout stage of the Champions League, which is something that Atléti are ironically known for over the last few years. Chelsea fans could not have wished for a better return early doors under the German tactician, and a deep run in the Champions League would go a long way in demonstrating where the club probably should be.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Monday March 8, 2021. (Photo by Glyn Kirk/PA Images via Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid have to bring something more to get past Chelsea

There is always a tricky balance to strike when it comes to putting faith in what has worked, and trying to come out of your shell when something different is required. Atlético Madrid is currently dealing with that dilemma as they travel to London for the second-leg tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Everyone knows – on average – what to expect from a Diego Simeone side since he took up his post on the touchline in the capitals “other” club, and it has paid off overall during his time there. But will that be enough?

So far, you could argue it has been. Despite a dip in form in La Liga (only two wins in their last six), and Real Madrid only six points off them and closing, Atléti still sits on top of the league and mathematically has every chance to progress in the Champions League. However, it is likely going to take more than what they provide on average for things to remain as they are or better this season.

Much like Chelsea under Tuchel thus far, being tight and difficult to breakdown will always be the letter of the law at the Wanda Metropolitano, but unlike Chelsea, Atléti do struggle a great deal when it comes to being consistent in front of goal, and so often rely on shape and individual quality rather than real genuine creativity throughout key areas in the team to break an opponent down. Against another well-drilled side, Atléti will always struggle, especially if they cannot hit you on the break. It’s a tough ask for Simeone in midweek, and even though he has his full squad available to him, I’m not sure there’s enough about them when they clash with fellow big sides, on an equal or better tactical footing, to get the job done especially when they are behind on goal difference.

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 27: Luis Suarez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides fifth goal during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and Granada CF at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on September 27, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Chelsea team news vs Atletico Madrid

Thomas Tuchel will be unable to call upon midfielders Jorginho and Mason Mount due to card accumulation during the first-leg.

Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham are also doubts for Chelsea, both of whom missed the match against Leeds United at the weekend. Neither is expected to feature.

Atletico Madrid team news vs Chelsea

Diego Simeone’s squad has been given a clean bill of health for their trip to Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine taskmaster has gone with a back-four recently, and that tactical option could be on the table in London on Wednesday evening.

Predicted Chelsea line-up vs Atletico Madrid

Predicted Atletico Madrid line-up vs Chelsea

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid video

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This article was edited by Benjamin Newman.