Our prediction for this Champions League match:
All eyes will be on Arena Nationala in Bucharest when Atletico Madrid and Chelsea go head to head in the Champions League last 16, first leg. Los Rojiblancos head into the match following a shocking 2-0 loss to Levante where they missed a number of clear-cut chances to score. Atletico Madrid are eager to get back on course, but the game against the in-form Blues will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts.
Kieran Trippier remains on the sidelines through suspension, while Jose Gimenez is out of contention with injury. Thomas Lemar should be recalled to the starting XI. Chelsea, on the other hand, have been producing fine displays under new boss Thomas Tuchel, and, taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Thiago Silva should be the only absentee in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Luis Suarez):
Luis Suarez is a controversial footballer who plays for La Liga side Barcelona as a striker. The Uruguayan forward moved to Europe in 2006, signing a deal with Groningen. After scoring 10 goals in 27 league appearances for the club in the 2006/2007 Eredivisie campaign, he joined Ajax at the end of the season. The prolific striker scored no less than 81 goals in 110 appearances for Ajax and, as a result, Liverpool chiefs decided to sign him on 31 January 2011.
Suarez became the club’s most expensive signing and he was producing thrilling performances with the Anfield outfit between 2011 and 2014. Liverpool were on the verge of winning the 2013/2014 Premier League trophy, but Steven Gerrard slipped in the decider against Chelsea and they eventually finished the season in second place in the standings.
In 2014 Suarez joined Barcelona and he was the top scorer in the 2015/2016 La Liga campaign. He won the 2013/2014 Premier League Golden Boot as well and in 2011 he clinched the Copa America trophy with Uruguay.
Highlighted Team (Chelsea):
Over the years Chelsea have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in the English Premier League. Roberto Di Matteo helped the team win their first ever Champions League trophy (2011/2012), but it has to be noted that they were more than fortunate to beat Bayern Munich in the title game.
Chelsea have been playing at Stamford Bridge since 1876 and they are a real force to be reckoned with at home. The Blues have won seven FA Cups, five League Cups, two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Europa League. Rafael Benitez was in charge of the team that faced Benfica in the 2012/2013 Europa League final, with Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner for the Blues in the title clash.
After lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, the Blues largely struggled in the next campaign, which saw Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club come to an end, and Antoine Conte went over to take the reigns for the 2016/2017 season.