'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Routine wins are on the cards for Chelsea and Real Madrid
Chelsea and Real Madrid were firing on all cylinders in their respective UEFA Champions League third-round games. We believe they will keep up the good work this week as well.
Real Madrid put on a five-star performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in their 5-0 win away from home a fortnight back. Shakhtar’s Serhiy Kryvstov scored an own goal in the first half to put Real Madrid ahead.
Then a brace from Vincius Jr. alongside a goal each from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema made sure there were no surprises.
Chelsea, on the other hand, mauled Malmo at home, winning 4-0. Andreas Christiansen opened the scoring for the Blues in the ninth minute to dampen Malmo’s spirits.
Jorginho dispatched two penalties to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. And Kai Havertz finally joined the party in the second half to cap off the perfect night.
Shakhtar and Malmo will try to bounce back from the humiliation they suffered in the last round. Unfortunately, we do not think they have enough quality to make the last round’s victors pay.
#2 Atletico Madrid to take the fight to Liverpool at Anfield
Atletico Madrid were unbeaten at home this season when Liverpool rolled into town a couple of weeks back. An unpredictable tussle ensued, which saw the Reds walk away with a famous UEFA Champions League win from the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone does not want to come out second best, which could make him desperate at Anfield this Wednesday.
The Reds, who are second in the Premier League, are the favorites going into the match. At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp will look to impose his preferred high-pressing gameplay and potentially secure a decisive win.
With the odds against them, Atletico could look to surprise the hosts and go on the offence instead of sitting deep. A cracker of a contest seems to be in store, and we would not count Los Rojiblancos out just yet.
#1 Atalanta to come back with a vengeance against Manchester United
Two weeks back, Atalanta found themselves two goals up after the first 45 in their UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester United. Unfortunately, complacency got to them and they allowed the hosts to overturn the scoreline.
The 3-2 win not only proved United’s grit and tenacity, but it also highlighted Atalanta’s flaws.
At home this week, Atalanta will look to replicate their first-half performance at Manchester United and avoid that disaster in the second half.
Atalanta has always been proficient at playing free-flowing football, scoring at will. This week in the UEFA Champions League, we might see their doggedness and tenacity as well.
