Atalanta vs Chelsea Predictions

• Chelsea have hammered Ajax 5-1 and Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League this season
• Chelsea have lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions
• Atalanta have scored just five goals in their five European games so far

Blues to outclass La Dea

Chelsea should stay firmly in contention for a top-eight place in the Champions League by securing victory at Italian side Atalanta on Tuesday.

The Premier League outfit have won three of their five games in the league phase so far, which includes comfortable victories over Ajax and Barcelona.

Domestically, Chelsea’s supposed title bid has stalled recently following a 3-1 defeat at Leeds and a goalless draw on Saturday at Bournemouth, but they look well equipped to topple La Dea in Europe on Tuesday.

While recent results in the Premier League will be of concern to boss Enzo Maresca, their performances in the Champions League have generally been encouraging.

The wonderful 3-0 home success over Barcelona on matchday five is obviously the Blues’ stand-out result, while they also hammered Ajax 5-1 at Stamford Bridge and edged out Benfica 1-0.

Their away games have not brought as much cheer, though, with a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich followed by an unexpected 2-2 draw at Qarabag.

Atalanta have an identical three wins, one draw and one defeat record as their opponents on Tuesday, so Raffaele Palladino’s side also have designs on finishing inside the top eight in Europe, having beaten Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0, Marseille 1-0 and Club Brugge 2-1, while they were held by Slavia Prague and lost heavily, 4-0, to defending champions PSG.

And Atalanta look set to come up short against Chelsea, too. Maresca has a deep, high-quality squad and even with some rotation expected ahead of the busy festive schedule, the visitors should largely control the game in Bergamo.

Hosts can at least penetrate Chelsea defence

Atalanta were on an improved three-game winning run in all competitions before losing 3-1 at struggling Verona on Saturday – a result which leaves them in mid-table in Italy and taking on a talented Chelsea next represents a very stiff test.

The hosts have scored in each of their last five games, however, and the 3-0 victory at Eintracht on matchday four suggests they can at least get on the scoresheet on Tuesday, even if it may only be a consolation.