Chelsea
can secure top spot in Champions League Group C with a win at home to
Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.
Antonio Conte's side have already guaranteed a place in the last 16 of the
competition, but could be beaten to top spot by Roma if they drop points in
their final group game.
Chelsea are two points ahead of Roma, but have an inferior head-to-head
record against the Italian side who host Qarabag in their final fixture of
the group.
Atletico Madrid are currently in third place and must beat Chelsea to have
any chance of reaching the last 16.
Diego Simeone's side are relying on Roma to drop points against Qarabag or
else they will be playing Europa League football in 2018.
Team news
David Luiz will be absent once more when Chelsea play Atletico Madrid in the
Champions League.
Luiz - like forward Charly Musonda - has a knee problem as Blues boss
Antonio Conte aims to balance targeting a victory to top Group C with
preparations for Saturday's trip to West Ham.
Striker Michy Batshuayi was an unused substitute for the win over Newcastle,
so could feature.
Opta Stats
The overall record in all competitions between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid
is perfectly balanced with two wins each, two draws and 10 goals each.
Atletico Madrid have won only one of their four away games in the Champions
League against English opposition…at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in
April 2014 (3-1).
Chelsea have scored in each of their last 25 home games in the Champions
League. The last time they failed to find the net was in April 2011 against
Manchester Utd (0-1).
Atletico's two away games in the Champions League this season have both
ended goalless. The Madrid side have attempted 32 shots in those two games.
Ten different players have scored for Chelsea, more than any other team in
the Champions League this season.
Charlie's prediction
I think Chelsea found a lot of their confidence in that win at Atletico.
Premier League sides have made some real statements in Europe this season,
including Tottenham and Manchester City, and Chelsea's win in Madrid was
right up there.
Roma are going to beat Qarabag so all Atletico really have is Diego
Simeone's hunger for revenge. They have picked their form up and have closed
the gap on Barcelona.
They are always stingy when they come to conceding goals, always ready for
it when it comes to physical battles. Antoine Griezmann has also raised his
game amid links to Manchester United and Chelsea, so I think it will be a
tight affair.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1, Willian to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)
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