Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups + Predicted Score
Chelsea will be looking to book a date with Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League when they take on Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge this evening.
The tie is finely poised following a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their semi-final last week in Spain but the Blues have an excellent home record so should be confident of getting the job done on home soil and securing their place in the final next month in Lisbon.
Jose Mourinho remains on course to become the first manager to lift the Champions League with three different clubs having previously won Europe’s top prize with FC Porto and Inter Milan.
The Portuguese coach kept his hopes of a sensational double alive with a masterful 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and he managed to beat the league leaders despite resting a number of key first team players.
Chelsea will make it a hat-trick of European wins if they can go all the way in this year’s competition having won the Champions League and Europa League in the two previous seasons. However, the Blues will face a tough Atletico Madrid side this evening with Diego Simeone’s men currently leading the La Liga table by four points with just three games to play.
Atletico are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions, have already knocked out the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona in previous rounds, and are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Champions League, so Chelsea know they’ll be in for a real battle tonight.
Real Madrid await the victors after their impressive 5-0 aggregate win over reigning champions Bayern Munich. Mourinho will love nothing more than to beat his former side in the final but an all-Madrid final would also be an intriguing contest.
Team News
Chelsea have been handed a triple injury boost with John Terry, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o all in contention to start after recovering from injury.
Terry was initially ruled out after twisting his ankle in the first leg last week but has made a speedy recovery and Mourinho confirmed his skipper will start tonight.
Hazard has been nursing a calf injury in recent weeks while Eto’o has been suffering from a hamstring strain, but the duo took part in training on Monday and are available for selection, although Fernando Torres is still favourite to start up front against his former side.
However, goalkeeper Petr Cech is unlikely to feature despite training yesterday after picking up a shoulder injury at the Vicente Calderon last Tuesday, so Mark Schwarzer will continue to deputise in goal.
Mourinho has restricted options in midfield as Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel are both suspended while Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible, so it looks like David Luiz will be joined by Ramires in front of the defence.
Atletico will have to make-do without influential captain Gabi after he picked up a third yellow card last week. Defender Javi Manquillo has travelled to London but isn’t expected to start as he’s still suffering from a neck injury.
Likely Line-Ups
Betting Tips & Prediction
Jose Mourinho has come under fire for his unadventurous style of play in recent games. Last week’s 0-0 bore draw in the first leg was followed up with an ultra-defensive performance at Anfield on Sunday, but you can’t argue with the results he’s secured.
Tonight’s game is going to be interesting as neither side particularly like having possession of the ball with both teams set-up to play counter-attacking football, so it’s certainly likely to be a cagey game during the opening stages.
I would certainly bet that the game will be 0-0 at half-time, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the tie is still locked at 0-0 by the end of the 90 minutes this evening. Skybet are currently offering very tempting odds of 7/1 that the tie goes to extra-time and that could be worth a few quid. To cover your back, it might also be worth backing Chelsea to win 1-0 with Paddy Power as they are offering a money back guarantee if it ends goalless.
Chelsea won’t leave themselves open at the back as they know if they concede a goal, they’ll need to score two to progress – which won’t be easy against a side that’s conceded just once in their last 10 games and boast the best defensive record in La Liga – so I’m going to predict the Blues edge it with a second half winner.
Predicted Score: Chelsea 1-0 Atletico Madrid
What would be your team and what’s your predicted score for the game? Share your views below.
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Temtim
April 30, 2014 at 4:17 pm
my club is Chelsea
prediction Chelsea will win 3 to 1
CAPABLE
April 30, 2014 at 5:24 pm
cfc 3 -atlit 1
Mbah kingsley
April 30, 2014 at 5:24 pm
1 0
Ejehsunday
April 30, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Chelsea 2 – 0 Atlectico by god grace.
Sulaiman Razaq
April 30, 2014 at 5:41 pm
By God grace chelsea 2 vs 0 atletico, and chelsea wil win ucl trophy
tope
April 30, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Chelsea 2-1 atletico
Abraham Romeo Nyei Jr
April 30, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Chelseafc 2 Athleteco Madrid 0
ebis
April 30, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Well,it’s going to be a very tough game but I belief that chelsea wil cary the day at all cost…because of home advantage
Above
April 30, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Chelsea 2 to 0
Anthony
April 30, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Well my daring chelsea will carry the day;By 1-0
Waglez
April 30, 2014 at 6:10 pm
well. . . I always pray, and I know God will surely send His angels out to protect Chelsea defence and give the chelsea players fresh legs to score at least, 1 nil. . .
felix
April 30, 2014 at 6:12 pm
We aim big! Chelsea will win 1-0. Up chelsea up blues.
eseka felix
April 30, 2014 at 6:20 pm
We chelsea are the best! With God on our side we gonna triumph over our rivals! Up chelsea up Blues.
eseka felix
April 30, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Wining is our culture in jose mou voice. Up chelsea up blues.
Horlyray
April 30, 2014 at 6:32 pm
Athletico Madrid no get God abi….All of u are praying that with God on ur Side only….I Pray the. Best Team win Just like realmadrid and Beryern Munich….Hala Madrid for La Decimal….
DMORE
April 30, 2014 at 6:32 pm
am a chelsea fans and i will always be so my predict is chelsea2 at. Madrid1 and we will win in the final by special grace GOD.
bafanayaa dankwa solomon
April 30, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Chelsea 2 vs Atletico 0
olasoji lawal
April 30, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Up chelsea 2 to 0
dasaolu
April 30, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Chelsea win 1 goal to nil at stamford bridge
Uduak
April 30, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Chelsea 2 vs 0 Atletico Madrid
Ebenezer Pizzaro
April 30, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Athletico 2 vs 1 Chelsea
Akan oton
April 30, 2014 at 7:02 pm
By the special grace of almighty God,Chelsea will win tonight by 1 0
Victor
April 30, 2014 at 7:06 pm
I pray 2God dat d blue wil win 2day match
nusado
April 30, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Chelsea 3:0 A.madrid by God grace
Danielkayode
April 30, 2014 at 9:43 pm
My people, by nw chelsea might hv been on der way back 2 premier league nd 4 next yr champ leaque