Update: Chelsea thumped Atletico Madrid 4-0 – here are all the goals.
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 21 October 2009, Stamford Bridge
UEFA Champions League
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK (20:45 CET)
After a night of ‘upsets’ where only 1 out of 8 home teams managed to win their Champions League games (and 5 of them lost), Chelsea fans will be hoping that Wednesday night brings better luck to the home side. They’ve lost two games that they perhaps shouldn’t have due to shaky defensive performances and the pace and aggression of the Atletico Madrid side will be a worry.
On the other hand, Atleti are serious contenders only on paper – on the pitch they have been abject this season, leaking goals and failing to score at the opposite end. If Chelsea are uncharacteristically poor, Atletico Madrid are as bad as they’ve ever feared their team to be in recent years.
If the game opens up – it should be a goal-scoring thriller, but it might not be pretty viewing for Atletico fans…
You can watch Chelsea v Atletico Madrid Live online here.
Chelsea Preview
Chelsea welcome Atletico Madrid to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday hoping for a quick response to Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.
Carlo Ancelotti will be furious with the way his team have defended set pieces recently, as two headed goals from corners were enough to give Aston Villa a somewhat underserved victory over Chelsea.
Chelsea have now lost two consecutive away matches in the Premiership, but are still sitting snug and comfy in the Champions League after two matches played. Ancelotti’s men have done the bare minimum to get by against Apoel Nicosia and Porto as two 1-0 victories have Chelsea on six points with a chance to extend their lead in Wednesday night’s Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid match.
Didier Drogba, who had given Chelsea the lead against Aston Villa before the collapse, has now recorded seven goals in the Premier League this season, but will miss this match as he serves to last of his three-match suspension.
Nicolas Anelka has scored both Champions League goals for the Blues.
Atletico Madrid Preview
Abel Resino will lead Atletico Madrid to Stamford Bridge for this Chelsea v Atletico Madrid fixture knowing this his side are in real need of not only a victory, but a morale boost, as well.
Midway through October, Atletico Madrid, who have been tipped for success yet again this season, have only won one match in all competitions. That match? A less-than-impressive 2-1 home victory over La Liga newcomers Real Zaragoza. Atletico Madrid have struggled to find the net this season, but have also struggled to keep opposing teams out, conceding two or more goals in six matches already this season.
Injuries have plagued Atletico in the early stage of the season, but the recent return of Sergio Asenjo, Juan Valera and Ignacio Camacho will give Resino a few more options for Chelsea – Atletico Madrid. However, Mariano Pernia is still struggling after injuries received in a car accident this summer.
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid Prediction
The two teams have not met before, so there are no past Chelsea v Atletico Madrid head-to-head results.
Atletico Madrid have been a real disappointment in La Liga this season. The Spanish side have been La Liga’s version of AC Milan this year and a loss against Chelsea on Wednesday would leave them gasping for air in the Champions League with only three matches remaining.
Against a rock-solid Chelsea, the light at the end of the tunnel could quickly be dimming for the visitors.
Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid Prediction: Chelsea 2 – Atletico Madrid 0
Get the best odds and free betting tips for the match at the Chelsea v Atletico Madrid odds and free betting tips page.
More Champions League Games
CSKA Moscow v Manchester United
Real Madrid v AC Milan
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid
Wolfsburg v Besiktas
Bordeaux v Bayern Munich
FC Porto v APOEL Nicosa
Juventus v Maccabi Haifa
FC Zurich v Marseille
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