Prediction: Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid

30th August 2012

Champions League winners Chelsea will take on Europa League champions Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup match at Stade Louis II in Monaco, and what a match it should be. Two attack-minded sides that have enjoyed a bright start to the season will be up against each other, with some of world’s top attackers playing for the two teams.

This season may have started with the Community Shield defeat for Chelsea, but the Blues quickly returned to the right track. Boosted by the heavy summer recruitment and with magnificent Eden Hazard setting the tone, Roberto Di Matteo’s side began the Premier League campaign with three straight victories, scoring no less than eight goals in the process. Given that Marko Marin, Cesar Azpilicueta, Oscar and Victor Moses have yet to stake a claim for a starting place, there is no doubt the Italian manager will soon be spoilt for choices in all areas of the pitch. However, while the attack is clearly in fine working order, the Blues have been far from convincing at the back, with all of the defenders, including Petr Cech making serious mistakes in the first four games. As long as Fernando Torres and his teammates continue scoring goals for fun, that shouldn’t be a problem, although Chelsea defence will be in for a difficult night against arguably the most in-form striker in the world. The good news is John Terry and Frank Lampard return to the side, but Marko Marin remains sidelined.

Once a genuine force to be reckoned with in Europe, Atletico Madrid have spent last ten years or so trying to return to old glory days, and we can safely say they are finally on track, having won two Europa League titles in three years. The 3-0 final victory over Athletic Bilbao, a team that had outplayed the likes of PSG and Manchester United, proved Diego Simeone’s side really mean business, with Radamel Falcao Garcia once again proving decisive in a big game. The Colombian scored two goals on the night to take his total goal tally to 36 in his first season at Vicente Calderon, and weekend’s hat-trick against the same opponents hints that Falcao won’t need a lot of time to hit the ground running in the new season. Taking also into account that the likes of Turan, Rodriguez and Adrian will be looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s preoccupation with the Colombian, this game has goals written all over it.

Conclusion

Chelsea have completely changed their approach under Roberto Di Matteo, seeing they are no longer afraid to display all their attacking qualities in big games, and with Atletico Madrid famous for adopting a positive approach in every single game, tomorrow’s match at Stade Louis II could easily be one of the most entertaining UEFA Super Cup games ever.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Ladbrokes