Atletico Madrid v Chelsea – Champions League Group D

Chelsea will look to continue their incredible run of form, with their next Champions League fixture away in Madrid on Tuesday. The London side, who came under some criticism after suffering two away league defeats, have responded in the best way possible over the recent run of matches. Since throwing away three points against Aston Villa in the league, Chelsea have scored seventeen goals unanswered in four matches, including the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Match day three of the Champions League. It looks as if some beast has been awoken after the league defeats, and Chelsea, already favourites for the Premier League, and hotly tipped to challenge Barcelona for the Champions League, look to have found their stride.

Atletico on the contrast, have slumped to third from bottom in the Spanish League, and a long way short of the quality which they showed last year in order to make a presence in the Champions League. They are without a win or a single goal in Group D of this year’s competition, and their only home fixture so far was against the apparent lowest ranked team in the Group, APOEL of Cyprus, which resulted in a 0-0 draw. Chelsea have had the upper hand in the Group, right before the very first kick off, but their last away game, they did struggle to kill off a 1-0 win over APOEL. In all likelihood the match in Madrid will be a much more open game than that one ever was. The impetuous will be on Atletico to come out and attack, for despite sitting rock bottom of the group, there is still a realistic chance that they could qualify. They would simply need to start with a win over the group leaders, and that unfortunately does not look very likely.

Over recent years, regardless of the success that they have had, Chelsea have never appeared to be the free flowing, free scoring team, instead enjoying technical passing game and being happy to settle for winning matches by the odd goal. New boss Carlo Ancelotti, has sparked something new inside of them though, which is a little surprising for an Italian coach. Perhaps this is just a rich vein of form that Chelsea are enjoying, and confidence breeds success. When the goals are flying in, when you have a strike force such as Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou who are confident in front of goal, and all backed up by an impressive midfield of Deco, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda and Joe Cole, it is clear when they can pose such a threat. There could have been a lot more goals for Chelsea over the past few games and that will be a worry sign for Premier League title challengers Manchester United. The two sides go head to head next Sunday in the league at Stamford Bridge.

Another win for Chelsea in the Champions League, would see them guarantee a place in the next round, and if second placed Porto lose, then it will be more of a certainty that they will win the group. Chelsea are the only side left in the entire competition who have yet to concede a goal, and that is a big hurdle which Madrid will have to overcome. Chelsea welcome back Didier Drogba to their European games, after he has served his three match ban, which will probably spell even more woes for Atletico. One interesting stat to take note of, is that Madrid’s striker, the ex-Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, has had the most amount of shots on goal in the competition so far, yet he has failed to beat the keeper.

Atlético Madrid to win: 10/3 at Paddy Power
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Chelsea to win: 10/11 at BetFred

Betting Advice: Chelsea are looking irresistible at the moment, and are worth their lead in the Premier League. They will want a comfortable ride on Tuesday night ahead of next weekend’s top of the table league clash against United, and will want to stay injury free as well as maintain a huge amount of momentum in their season. For Madrid to turn their European season around, they will need to overcome a big hill, and they just do not look to have what it takes at the moment. They have some quality players there, but as illustrated in the last game, Chelsea are a class above them. Away from home it is unlikely that the Blues will have such a comfortable four goal cushion, and they’ll be happy to come away with a 1-0 win.
Chelsea to win 1-0: 6/1 at Boylesports
Frank Lampard anytime scorer: 11/4 at William Hill