Champions League team news and prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

A few weeks ago this tie looked ominous for Chelsea, as the Premier League outfit continued to struggle under Frank Lampard and Atletico Madrid appeared to be pulling well clear in the La Liga title race.

Much has changed since then, however. Thomas Tuchel's arrival has sparked an immediate up-turn in form. While there is still plenty to improve on, Chelsea are unbeaten under their new head coach. Atletico, meanwhile, have stumbled in recent weeks to allow their title rivals back in the picture.

Ahead of their round of 16 first leg encounter we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including team news, probable XIs, where the game is taking place and how you can watch it.

When is kick off?
Tuesday 23rd February, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
National Arena, Bucharest (Hungary)
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2

Form Guide

Chelsea sailed through their Champions League group unbeaten under Frank Lampard to finish top, one point clear of Spanish side Sevilla. It has done them few favours, however, putting them up against Atletico in the first round of knockout fixtures. They head into Tuesday's game unbeaten in eight (W6, D1), with seven of those fixtures under Thomas Tuchel. Scoring goals has been a problem under Tuchel, with all but one of his five wins coming by just a one-goal margin.

Atletico Madrid qualified from their group despite only winning two matches. They opened up their campaign with a remarkable 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich but were unbeaten from that point onwards. Nine points were enough to secure second place and set up a last-16 tie with Chelsea. Diego Simeone's side are top of La Liga but they have only won one of their last four and were defeated 2-0 at home by Levante at the weekend. They have remarkably kept just one clean sheet in all competitions in 2021.

Team News

Atletico have a lot of injuries to contend with for the first leg, mostly revolving around their defence. Ex-Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier is serving a FIFA-imposed ban, with star centre-back Jose Gimenez out injured. Wing-backs Yannick Carrasco and Sime Vrsaljko are also sidelined, while Hector Herrera is unavailable due to COVID-19. Those who have not seen much of Atletico this season will be surprised to see them line up in a back three on Tuesday night, while ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will lead the line with hotshot Joao Felix.

Thiago Silva is back in training but has not travelled with the Chelsea squad and he is their only injury concern for Tuesday. Marcos Alonso appears to have taken Ben Chilwell's place as Chelsea's first choice left-back under Thomas Tuchel and all eyes will be on whether Callum Hudson-Odoi is selected after he was subbed off at the weekend having been subbed on 30 minutes earlier.

Probable XIs:

Atletico (3412): Oblak; Hermoso, Felipe, Savic; Llorente, Koke, Saul, Lodi; Correa; Felix, Suarez

Chelsea (3421): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Abraham

Key Battle: Marcos Llorente vs Mason Mount

It was at this stage of last season's Champions League that saw Marcos Llorente really make his mark on this Atletico side, coming off the bench to dump Liverpool out of the competition. He hasn't looked back since then, transforming from a defensive midfielder into a goalscoring one. His versatility will prove key on Tuesday night, as he will more than likely be required to play right wing-back. Simeone will still hope to get Llorente into advanced positions, as the 26-year-old has remarkably played a direct hand in 15 goals in 23 league appearances this season (8 goals, 7 assists).

After being dropped for Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge, Mason Mount has responded in fine fashion and continued the impressive form he showed under Frank Lampard earlier in the season. Certainly one of the first names on the team-sheet, Mount is Chelsea's best rated player in the Premier League this season. He didn't show the same form in the group stage of the Champions League but will again be integral for the away side here given Chelsea's strikers are yet to hit top form this season.

Scoreline Prediction: Atletico 1-1 Chelsea