Chelsea welcome La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid for the second leg in an intriguing Champions League last 16 tie.
Thomas Tuchel’s side hold the 1-0 advantage on aggregate, thanks to Olivier Giroud’s sensational strike in Bucharest.
FOLLOW LIVE: Teams, build-up and all the action as Chelsea host Atletico
But after a goalless draw last weekend at Leeds, the Blues will need to find their edge in attack to fend off a charge from Diego Simeone’s side tonight.
Atletico were held by 10-man Getafe at the weekend, which could lend itself to a cagey opening with neither side showing much fluidity in attack.
Tuchel anticipates a similar test to the first leg in Bucharest, while describing the Spaniards as “complete”: “I expect more or less the same as in Bucharest.
“They have Trippier, Carrasco and Gimenez back. Lemar, Llorente available in the half positions that changes the approach but in general I expect more or less the same. A team that is hard to play against, find spaces behind the last lines and for sure super hard to create chances against.
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“I believe that every club has its DNA and characteristics. With Simeone they are one of the toughest teams to beat, this is their characteristic, discipline and hard working, organised defence. They have incredible quality to attack and to play a possession game, they are a complete squad.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Champions League tie:
When and where is it?
The game will kick off at 20:00 GMT at Stamford Bridge, London.
How can I watch it?
The match will air live on BT Sport, and subscribers can also stream it live on the broadcaster’s website and app. Coverage for this game begins at 19:00 GMT on BT Sport 2.
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma; James, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Havertz, Ziyech, Werner
Atletico: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Llorente, Koke, Saul, Carrasco; Joao Felix, Suarez
Odds
Chelsea: 6/5
Draw: 21/10
Atletico: 12/5
Prediction
This is finely poised and may play games with the instincts of both managers, the way Tuchel has shuffled the pack in recent weeks has been designed to maintain high intensity throughout this testing schedule. If they can hold off a charge from El Cholo’s side, it will likely legitimise dismissing Frank Lampard, if it hasn’t already. Atleti are unbeaten in four since the Chelsea defeat, including a win at Villarreal and a stalemate with rivals Real Madrid. We expect them to be able to score at the Bridge, given the urgency required relating to the tie as a whole and their deficit, but we’ll lean towards a 1-1 draw on the night and the hosts edging through to the last eight.
