IT'S not easy to like Jose Mourinho's tactics but you need to grudgingly respect the way he digs out results.
Chelsea were up against it in Madrid last week but managed a 0-0 draw then put up the shutters to beat Liverpool 2-0 to smash the Premier League title race wide open.
On both occasions the Portuguese boss was slated but does he care? Not a jot. It's a results business and Mourinho knows how to get them.
So can he complete a hat-trick of successes by reaching the Champions League Final at the expense of Atletico?
I'd like to say no and cheer the magical Madrid men to a showdown against city rivals Real – but how do you back against Mourinho in his current cleverclogs mood?
Chelsea played for 0-0 at the Vicente Calderon and while not scoring an away goal could come back to haunt them their defence has been so good they won't worry about that. The only problem is no Petr Cech but that was the case at Anfield while Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry return.
I'm taking a chance on Chelsea at 1-1 at William Hill and Ladbrokes to qualify but accept it could go either way. Atletico are 10-11 at Betfred.
To win on the night it's Chelsea 13-10 almost everywhere, Atletico 5-2 at bet365 and the draw 23-10 at the same firm.
It promises to be as tight and tense as the first leg so under 2.5 goals is expected at 1-2 with bet365.
Atletico didn't rest anyone for Sunday's 1-0 win at Valencia that edged them within two wins of the title and could be slightly jaded after a marathon season. They will once again rely on striker Diego Costa who is 6-1 at McBookie to bang in the opener.
Without Samuel Eto'o and with Fernando Torres off form Chelsea's best hope of a goal could come from Willian who was superb when he came on at Anfield. He is 14-1 at Coral and 9-2 at bet365 to net at any time.
Recommended Bets
Chelsea
(1-1, William Hill, Ladbrokes)
Willian to score
(9-2, bet365)
Under 2.5 goals
(1-2, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
U forget Demba Ba so quick
Im_Blaze, do you think Ba will start?
Cech, hazard, Terry and Etoo all trained Tuesday. Cech has declared himself fit to play, whilst the other 3 are expected to be available too. All that said, I make Atletico slight favourites, but like the Liverpool game Sunday, it’s not a game I’d advise people to bet on as it’s such a tough game to call. Mourinho has some massive decisions to make. Toughest being whether to bring Terry in and drop Cole with Ivanovic going back out to full back. Luiz and ramires are the obvious 2 sitting midfielders. I think he will then go with Willian and hazard out wide, with Oscar central, but slightly deeper than usual. I have no idea who he will start up front. He’ll want to start Etoo, but all depends how fit he is. If people are thinking of betting on this match, maybe best to wait for the Chelsea line up first
Luke Terry will start no doubt there.Luiz and Ramires in middle not so sure I would start with Lampard but no Mikel for me too much of a passenger for this game.
Mr. F, as you know, I’m going against your CL pick again. This time primarily since I’m an Atletico Madrid fan ;) I will not bull though, yesterday as mentioned, I did expect Real Madrid to win but I didn’t think they would be -that- dominant until the game was minutes in. The Ronaldo anytime served us all well though :)
If we are to believe this, Cech will not playing tonight: “Jose Mourinho says Petr Cech will not play against Atletico Madrid despite the fact he was back on the training pitch on Tuesday.”
One thing to be considered is that Chelsea all through the knockout stages of the CL have had an Even score. Bet365 has them at 1.8
Alva, both Lampard and mikel are suspended. And with matic ineligible, makes Luiz and ramires the only central midfielders available. I’m not sure i would play Terry personally, unless can guarantee fully fit. A defence of azpil, Ivanovic, Cahill and Cole is still right up there with the best. I’ll be surprised if cech doesn’t play, after declaring himself fit to play
I agree with you mr f about chelsea 100% got a feel for the unders is the way to go in this one, i think whoever scores first will defend and counter and if its chelsea its another perfect scenario for jose
Got stung with the btts last night which i never saw coming so hope to go better tonight
Think this game has a draw all over it.
So thats my bet for tonight good luck to chelsea though it could go all the way to pens as both teams dont give much away so will have a small interest on that good luck
same here jimmybeee stuck alittle on extratime and pens
Willian is 20/1 with Coral for first goal and 7/1 anytime.
CHELSEA TO WIN TO NIL TONIGHT
25.00 POUND RETURNS 87.00
IM ON IT
Im going to go with my gut instinct which i should have done last night(Ronaldo anytime Real win)and take A.Madrid and Costa or Garcia anytime,depending on the lineups even though i was stung by Mourinho an his tatics last week,surely Chelsea have to come out an play aka attack :P so think A.Madrid can pick them off. Its no secret that A.Madrid are better suited when teams attack them. Mourinho cant have his team set up to play anything like they did in first leg. Can he?
Costa anytime A.Madrid win…11/2 skybet
Correction Costa anytime and A.Madrid win is 3/1 skybet and Raul Garcia is 5/1 skybet :)
Chelsea -1 4/1
Hope it’s a Madrid final for footballs sake
Yeah as fix its article a jock and last night scooped from going against everyone. Madrid 3-1 and minus 1 goal 8-1.
Everyone know low score chelsea go through, value bet madrid over 2.5 goals as if they score like madrid open. Have mafrid -1 goal also. Tenner each. When black comes in 4 tumes everyone goes red, same odds and value tonight going against what has been forecast by all.
Diego Costa anytime @5/2 Paddypower
Ok tenners on madrid -1, madrid win and over 2.5 goals. Both 7-1. Then fiver -2 at 16-1.
Brave or stupid the result will decide lol. Up more from last night
Well played Recoba.. Great shout
madrid teams good
:)
Madrid over 2.5 goals @ 7.5 = £75
Madrid -1 goal @ 6.5 = £65
Madrid -2 goal @17/1 = £5 loss
£140 back from £25. Nice.
Wooooo just noticed score. 40 to 1 for 3 1 only a quid on tho
Wow and they didn’t disappoint we actually had an even score 1 – 3 in the Chelsea match
Well done to the winners tonight was easier for madrid than i thought.
40 to 1 was an unblivable price just for. 3 -1 . Think bookies thought there’d be a shortage of goals in this game.