Atalanta Faces Chelsea, Tottenham Welcomes Slavia Prague – An Evening of Champions League Football
The focus is on an important night of European football. Two fascinating matches headline the schedule, with sides battling for important standings as the group phase continues.
A Question Mark Over Chelsea
What version of the London club will appear in Bergamo? Their previous European performance served as a declaration, an emphatic 3-0 victory over Barcelona that stood as a high point for their manager's tenure. Yet, form has been unpredictable afterwards. A solid draw against their London rivals was followed by a defeat away to Leeds United, followed by a dour stalemate at Bournemouth means they arrive with confidence drained.
They face a tricky opponent who are level on points with them. The Italian side suffered a 4-0 loss in their first game at PSG yet have gone undefeated on the continent since, contrasting their modest domestic form.
Tottenham's Test
Similar to their London counterparts, Tottenham have been notoriously inconsistent. A 5-3 loss away to PSG, coming between disappointing defeats to Arsenal and Fulham, piled pressure on manager Thomas Frank. However, recent domestic outings – a win and a draw from six – have provided a measure of calm.
This evening, they welcome Czech opponents yet to win in the competition. This is exactly the type of match which Spurs need to be won for any hopes to climb towards the knockout places, particularly given upcoming games against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon.
Other Key Fixtures
The drama is not limited to England and Italy. One notable game, Barcelona will aim to respond after their loss as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt. At the same time, free-scoring PSV Eindhoven will provide a major challenge to the backline of Atlético Madrid. Rounding out the night, Monaco entertains the Turkish champions in a match which promises to be a high-scoring affair. All matches begin at 8pm GMT.
A crucial night in the group stage is upon us, with teams striving to secure a route into the latter stages.