Now we take a look at one of this season’s toughest Champions League groups, Group B, where we firstly take a look at a match where a Qarabag side will just be enjoying the possibility to host a team like Atletico Madrid, who will be coming to ignore any pressures and complete a professional job as they are expected to do. The other match will see Chelsea play AS Roma in a match where tactics may be the key between two top Italian managers.
Qarabag (Aze) vs. Atletico Madrid (Spa)
Three-Way: 1: Qarabag +2100; X: +600 Draw; Atletico Madrid -357
Spread +1.5: Qarabag +129; Atletico Madrid -133
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +129
Qarabag
Unlikely lads Qarabag made a good showing of themselves in their last Champions League match despite losing 2:1 to Roma. After conceding two goals within the first fifteen-minute, fears may have crept in regarding a repeat show of last time’s 6:0 loss to Chelsea, but the Azerbaijanian champions dug in and regained their shape. Their efforts were rewarded with a goal from Brazilian Pedro Henrique, marking their first goal in the Champions League, and although they were unable to get the equalizer, they were able to hold their heads up with pride.
For this season being their first Champions League campaign in their history, they’d be right to feel as though they have pulled the short straw when being drawn in an unforgiving group. That being said, nights like their last Champions League fixture is what this competition is about for the Azerbaijanians, playing against Europe’s best and not looking completely out of their depth. Their next match is another treat for the home fans, but they’d do well to keep pace with their opponents this time around.
Manager Gurban Gurbanov will have a full squad selection for their third Champions League game.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid was left with a big task ahead of them to qualify after they lost in dramatic fashion to Chelsea in their most recent European tie. Their loss was deserved too, despite going 1:0 up in the first half through an Antoine Griezmann penalty. However, eventually, Chelsea got their dues with a goal in the 58th minute and then a late 94th-minute goal to deflate Atletico fans and player moods, and also to end their eleven-unbeaten run at home in Europe.
Due to their last result, and their draw in their first fixture to Roma, Atletico Madrid have put themselves at a significant disadvantage in their journey to the last sixteen. Especially since a result away at Chelsea and Roma will be a tough ask, and it would be foolish to rely on the teams slipping up against Qarabag. The result is particularly significant as it is the first time they have failed to win in one of their first two matches in the Champions League since the 2009-10 season, when they finished third, coincidentally in a group with Chelsea who finished top of the group. All things said, at least Atletico Madrid can afford to relax somewhat in their next fixture.
Manager Diego Simeone will be without central-midfielder Augusto Fernandez (muscle) and right-back Simon Vrsaljko (hamstring) through injury.
Qarabag (Aze) vs. Atletico Madrid (Spa) – Match Prediction:
Although Atletico Madrid has had a pretty torrid time recently in Europe, their domestic form has been decent and regardless they have genuine world-class talent which should be more than enough to dispatch Qarabag with ease.
Expect a win for the Spanish side by a clear margin.
MY PICK: Atletico Madrid +1.5 AH (-133)
Chelsea (Eng) vs. AS Roma (Ita)
Three-Way: 1: Chelsea -135; X: +309 Draw; 2: Roma +509
Spread -1: Chelsea +120; Roma -123
Total +2.5: Over -119; Under +114
Chelsea
The English champions were delighted with their last-minute dramatic 2:1 win over one of Europe’s best in Atletico Madrid. Despite having the better of the first half between the two sides, Chelsea went 1:0 down when center-back David Luiz needlessly gave a penalty to the opposition when pulling on an opposition’s shirt at a corner. Luckily for the English side, their persistence paid off with big returns and two goals, one scored by Michy Batshuayi coming in the dying moments of the game, to take all three points and put them in pole position for a first-place finish.
The win places Chelsea comfortably at the top of Group C, two points ahead of Roma and five ahead of Atletico. With ten points usually being the magic number for progression, Chelsea only needs two more wins from their next four fixtures to go through, although a win in their next match is required if they wish to maintain their top position. The 2011-12 Champions League winners will be favorites for the three points, but they’ll have to quickly get over the disappointment of their last home loss to league rivals Manchester City to stand any chance.
Manager Antonio Conte will be without central midfielder N’Golo Kanté due to thigh problems, while striker Alvaro Morata is a doubt as to whether he will return from his hamstring injury in time for Wednesday.
AS Roma
Roma was met with more resistance than expected against Champions League debutants Qarabag whom they beat 2:1 away from home. The result and the three points seemed certain to be going to the Italian side after they scored two goals within fifteen minutes through Konstantinos Manolas and Ballon D’or nominee Edin Dzeko. However, Qarabag shored up a defense which Roma was unable to break down again, while the Azerbaijanian side grabbed themselves a goal to make it 2:1.
The result wasn’t the most convincing win, but a win nonetheless which has helped Roma put three points between themselves and second place. However, the Italian side will have to improve on not only the Qarabag match but their last fixture against Napoli in which they lost 1:0 while managing just one shot on target. Still, a loss to Chelsea would not mean that they were not still favorites for the 2nd qualification spot to the last sixteen.
Manager Eusebio Di Francesco will be without a number of players for their next fixture, including Emerson (cruciate ligament rupture), Patrick Schick (hamstring), Gregoire Defrel (biceps), Konstantinos Manolas (muscle), Kevin Strootman (muscle), Stephan El Sharaawy (adductor) all through injury.
Chelsea (Eng) vs. AS Roma (Ita) – Match Prediction:
In what will be one of the highlights of the Wednesdays Champions League matchups, the home side will rightly be favorites for this fixture. Both sides are in similar form, with the decent overall form until their last league fixtures where each of them lost 1:0 at home to the top of their respective leagues.
Both also have key injuries, although Alvaro Morata may be available which could be a huge boost for Chelsea. Furthermore, I think that Chelsea is better across their first eleven, and with their home advantage, in addition, they should have enough to win, but it will be a tight-affair.
MY PICK: Chelsea to WIN (-135)
