The UEFA Champions League group phase goes on this week with the 5th round matches, and in this preview, we’ll take a closer look to the Group C games set for Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017, when Atletico Madrid hosts AS Roma at Wanda Metropolitano, while Qarabag welcomes Chelsea at Baku National Stadium.
Down below you will find some fresh tips and betting predictions, so don’t waste your time and join the action here on GetMoreSports.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. AS ROMA
3-Way: 1: Atletico Madrid +104; X: +260 Draw; 2: AS Roma +375 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Atletico Madrid -102; AS Roma +100
Total +2.5: Over +116; Under -120
ATLETICO MADRID
Atleti are still without a win after the first four rounds of the UEFA Champions League, and they are sitting at the third spot of the Group C table with three points, and a 2:3 goal difference. They drew both times with Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the previous two rounds, so it was a huge disappointment for their fans who expected nothing less than six points from these two encounters. Now their beloved club is in dire straits, and they desperately need a win against AS Roma to stay in the race for the second spot of the table, but even then they will need a lot of fortune to get through, as AS Roma will host Qarabag in the sixth round.
With all problems in the final third, Atletico Madrid scored just 16 goals in 12 La Liga matches so far, and with a 6-6-0 record, they are sitting at the fourth spot of the La Liga table, ten points behind the leader Barcelona. Atleti didn’t score two goals in one game in the previous ten matches in all competitions. They’ve recorded 2 wins, seven draws, and one loss on those ten occasions with a 7:6 goal difference. In the previous round of the Spanish La Liga, Atletico Madrid played a goalless draw at home with Real Madrid. Their defense is pretty good, but you cannot win games if you don’t score on regular basis.
The 26-year old French star Antoine Griezmann scored just three goals in 14 appearances in all competitions, while the winger Angel Correa and the midfielder Thomas bagged four goals each. The 24-year old winger Yannick Carrasco is the team’s leading assistant with three dishes 12 appearances in all competitions. The manager Diego Simeone can count on all players for the clash against AS Roma, besides the centre-back Stefan Savic who has to serve the red card suspension.
AS ROMA
The Yellow and Reds are on the winning path with six consecutive victories in all competitions, including a brilliant 2:1 win over the arch-rivals Lazio in the previous round of the Italian Serie A. Now they are traveling to Madrid with just one thing on their minds, how to stay undefeated and secure at least the second spot of the UEFA Champions League Group C table.
After the first four rounds of the Champions League AS Roma is topping the Group C table with eight points, an 8:4 goal difference, and a 2-2-0 record. They were excellent in the previous round when they have beaten Chelsea at home, 3:0. The 31-year old striker Edin Dzeko is having a great season so far with 10 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions, while he scored three times in four Champions League apps. The 25-year old winger Stephan El Shaarawy added five goals and three dishes to his name in 14 matches this season, while the left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is the team’s top assist-maker with seven dishes in 15 appearances so far.
The manager Eusebio Di Francesco can field his best eleven against Atleti on Wednesday evening, and the right-back Rick Karsdorp is the only player to miss the clash due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. AS ROMA – Match Prediction
Atleti simply has to attack from the start, while the visitors can defend and wait for their chances on the counter. This is a nice recipe for some goals on both sides, and I believe we’ll see a tremendous match at Wanda Metropolitano.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+100)
QARABAG vs. CHELSEA
3-Way: 1: Qarabag +1200; X: +465 Draw; 2: Chelsea -238 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1.5: Qarabag -108; Chelsea +104
Total +2.5: Over -118; Under +117
QARABAG
The five-time Azerbaijanian champions are one of the most pleasant surprises of this year’s UEFA Champions League, as they managed to earn two points out of the first four matches, both times playing a draw against heavyweight Atletico Madrid. They still have a chance to reach the second spot of the table, but first, they need a win over Chelsea at home this Wednesday. Qarabag is in the fourth spot currently with a 0-2-2 record and a 2:9 goal difference.
The 27-year old South African striker Dino Ndlovu is Qarabag’s leading scorer this season with seven goals in 19 appearances in all competitions. The 20-year old winger Mahir Madatov bagged six goals in 17 appearances, while the 32-year old midfielder Michel netted five times in 17 matches this season. Dino Ndlovu is also a top assistant with four dishes, while the 28-year old Brazilian midfielder Richard made three assists in 17 apps.
The manager Gurban Gurbanov has some serious problems to pick up the starting eleven, as Mahir Madatov (foot injury) and Tarik Elyounoussi (knee injury) are still doubtful, while the winger Pedro Henrique will have to serve the red card suspension.
CHELSEA
The Blues are in a pretty good form recently, as they have won four games in the row in the English Premier League, including a convincing 4:0 win over WBA last weekend, and since Eden Hazard’s return from the injury, they are looking dangerous in the final third. In the next match of the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea will be looking for a victory against Qarabag on the road to secure the round of 16 spots before they meet Atletico Madrid in the sixth round. The Blues are currently in the second place of the Group C table with seven points, an 11:7 goal difference, and a 2-1-1 record.
The 25-year old striker Alvaro Morata, who arrived from Real Madrid this summer, is Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions with nine goals in 16 appearances. The 24-year old striker Michy Batshuayi bagged seven goals in 13 apps, while Eden Hazard added five goals in 14 appearances. The 30-year old midfielder Cesc Fabregas is the team’s top assist-maker with six dishes in 18 appearances, while the defender Cesar Azpilicueta added five assists to his name in 17 matches this season.
The manager Antonio Conte could be satisfied with his team’s recent form, and for the next game, he can count on all players. Surely, we’ll see his best eleven with Morata and Hazard in the front.
QARABAG vs. CHELSEA – Match Prediction
The visitors need a win to secure at least the second spot of the Group C table, and I think they won’t miss the chance. They are a far better team than Qarabag, and I expect to see them winning by a bigger margin.
MY PICK: Chelsea AH +1.5 (+104)
