Chelsea look to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals by finishing off the last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid.
Olivier Giroud snatched victory in the first leg in Bucharest, while Thomas Tuchel’s side have impressively rebuilt their bid to finish inside the top four in the Premier League.
FOLLOW LIVE: Teams, build-up and all the action as Chelsea host Atletico
Though a goalless draw with Leeds last time out at Elland Road displayed the side’s recent struggles in attack.
Atletico bounced back well since the first leg defeat and are unbeaten, but a draw against Getafe last weekend means Barcelona have closed to within four points at the top of La Liga.
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.
