Premier League holders Chelsea will set their sights on topping their Champions League group when they host Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. The English champions have built up momentum since November, and they are currently on a six-match unbeaten run which has involved five wins and a solitary draw. The Blues require three points to secure top spot, should Roma win their game versus Maribor, and they will be determined to go for the win which would, in turn, oust semi-final regulars Atleti from the competition.
Formation: 3-5-1-1
Lineup:
Thibaut Courtois has started in all five European games this term, and Antonio Conte is likely to stick with the Belgian to face his former side. The central defence could see familiar faces in Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, who could be accompanied by Gary Cahill, who was only a sub during the Newcastle United game last weekend.
Victor Moses played out the entire game without any issue, and the Nigerian may have given importance ahead of Davide Zappacosta as he is more of a creator from the right wing-back spot. Likewise, Marcos Alonso has been a constant on the other end of the pitch, and he has, so far, kept himself fully fit whilst featuring in the left wing-back position.
Onto the midfield, N’Golo Kante is more or less guaranteed his spot in the holding role, and Conte could go with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas to make up the three-man midfield. The Italian has promised to rotate his squad during the festive period, but he will still want to place his best team forward as finishing second in the group could have its own consequences.
Eden Hazard capped off another top-notch performance with a brace against Newcastle, and he could be fancied to start versus Atleti. The Belgium international revived his old form during the reverse fixture where the Blues won 2-1, and he could be tasked with playing a role behind Alvaro Morata, who indeed scored at the Wanda Metropolitano.
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