Stamford Bridge hosts a fascinating Champions League clash on December 9 as free‑flowing Atalanta travel to face a resurgent Chelsea side fighting to re‑establish itself among Europe’s elite. Both soccer clubs arrive in need of points in a tightly balanced group, adding real jeopardy to a fixture that already promises contrasting styles and plenty of attacking intent. Atalanta’s aggressive pressing and vertical football will test Chelsea’s composure in possession, while the Premier League side will look to impose itself with home‑field advantage, individual quality in the final third, and a growing defensive solidity that has underpinned recent results.
Atalanta vs. Chelsea best bet
Our best bet for the Champions League clash between Atalanta and Chelsea is Chelsea to win in regulation time at +110 odds.
Chelsea to win in regulation time
- Chelsea were excellent in their last Champions League game against Barcelona, securing a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge. They are away this time around, but Enzo Maresca’s side has the quality to get the job done against Atalanta.
- The Blues bossed Barcelona before Ronaldo Araujo was sent off, and would have had a more commanding lead if not for a couple of marginal offsides. Nevertheless, Chelsea made the man advantage count after the red card, and the strong display against a Champions League contender will give them confidence ahead of matchday six.
- Chelsea have 10 points after five league phase matches, but there is no room for complacency as they aim to secure a place in the top eight
- In the Champions League this season, Maresca’s team has scored an average of 2.4 goals per game and conceded just 1.2.
- Atalanta also has 10 points heading into this game, but Chelsea is set to be their toughest test since the 4-0 defeat against PSG. Les Parisiens dominated that game, finishing with an xG (expected goals) of 3.48, 2.93 more than Atalanta.
- The visitors come into this game in better form, and their deep squad should ensure that fatigue isn’t an issue amidst a busy fixture schedule.
Atalanta vs. Chelsea Champions League match context
- Atalanta and Chelsea are tied on points with 10 each, but Chelsea sit seventh due to a better goal difference.
- A win for Atalanta would place them among the top eight teams, keeping hopes alive for direct qualification to the Round of 16.
- The outcome of Tuesday’s match at the Gewiss Stadium is crucial for determining who advances directly to the next phase.
- A draw could potentially harm both teams’ chances.
- Chelsea is in excellent form, having secured a 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the last round.
- Atalanta has also bounced back from early difficulties, winning away matches against Marseille and Frankfurt.
- Despite Atalanta’s recent successes under new manager Raffaele Palladino, bookmakers consider Chelsea to be the stronger side.
- Enzo Maresca’s team is favoured, with the latest odds giving the Blues nearly a 49% chance of winning.
Atalanta vs. Chelsea odds analysis
- Chelsea’s 48% chance of victory, according to the bookmaker’s odds, installs the Blues as favourites in the Atalanta vs Chelsea odds. The hosts have been handed a 27% implied probability of winning in front of home supporters.
- The upcoming fixture will be the first occasion this season that Atalanta kick off as underdogs at home in the Champions League. The two home fixtures this season came in a 2-1 win against Club Brugge and a 0-0 draw against Slavia Prague. Atalanta kicked off at an odds-on price in both games.
- Atalanta receives a +0.25 Asian handicap ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Bergamo. The +0.25 Asian handicap line will return full profits if Atalanta wins the game. The current handicap also returns half profits if Atalanta avoids defeat and earns a draw.
- The Asian goal line of over/under 2.75 goals requires three or more goals to be scored for ‘overs’ punters. Exactly three goals scored will pay out half the profits to bettors, whilst four or more goals return full winnings on the over 2.75 goal line.
- Cole Palmer leads the betting in the anytime goalscorer market. However, given his recent injury, it’s unlikely that the Chelsea man will feature from the start. Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic is the second favourite behind Palmer, although he’s yet to score in the UEFA Champions League this season. The likes of Pedro Neto and Estevao, both priced the same further back in the betting, will attract plenty of bettors in this market.