Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid: What To Expect From The High-Flying Blues

Chelsea inched closer to league leaders Manchester City with a 3-1 win over Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United. Eden Hazard scored a brace and a third from summer signing Alvaro Morata ensured that Antonio Conte’s men did not have many hiccups in order to pick up three points. With the win, the Blues are now in the third position of the league table – 3 points behind second-placed Manchester United. But now Antonio Conte will have no time to breathe as he must ready his men in order to take on Atletico Madrid at home on Tuesday.

CHELSEA VS ATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS:

Chelsea have entered the busiest schedule of the season and Antonio Conte will be desperately wanting to rotate his squad in order to keep his players fresh. So we can easily expect some key players to be rested for the game.

Thibaut Courtois is likely to be given a break as Caballero will take up the goalkeeping spot. In the defensive line, Conte has very little chance of making a change as David Luiz is still out with a knee injury and will not be available for selection. This means that only one central defender who played against Newcastle will get a rest.

Victor Moses has come back from a long injury lay-off meaning that he will be needing as much game time as possible. In the midfield, Conte will most certainly be resting Cesc Fabregas meaning that summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko will get to partner N’Golo Kante. Danny Drinkwater played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle, and will hopefully be rested against Atletico Madrid in order to keep him fresh.

Hazard will also be rested meaning that both Willian and Pedro get to start the game alongside Michy Batsuayi who will play as the lone striker.

The odds of Chelsea winning the match do not look very slim as Antonio Conte is expected to but out not a very strong first team. So clearly Atletico Madrid are favourites to win the game with odds of 5/6.

CHELSEA VS ATLETICO MADRID PREDICTED LINE-UP:

Goalkeeper: Caballero

Defence: Rudiger, Cahill, Azpilicueta

Midfield: Kante, Bakayoko, Moses, Alonso

Attack: Pedro, Willian, Batshuayi

Read: Should Drinkwater get the nod ahead of Bakayoko and a few other important questions.

Read: Chelsea fans demand more game time for summer signing.