As the UEFA Champions League league phase heats up, all eyes turn to Bergamo on December 9, 2025, where Atalanta BC host Chelsea FC in a pivotal Matchday 6 clash at the Gewiss Stadium. Both sides sit on 10 points after five games, with Chelsea in seventh and Atalanta in 10th—making this a must-win for either team chasing automatic qualification to the knockout rounds. With identical records of three wins, one draw, and one loss, expect a tactical battle blending Atalanta’s resilient defense with Chelsea’s attacking flair. In this Atalanta vs Chelsea preview, we’ll break down recent form, key player battles, potential lineups, and our score predictions to help you gear up for this intriguing showdown.
Atalanta’s Form
Atalanta have been a revelation in the Champions League this season, amassing 10 points from their opening five matches and keeping three clean sheets in their last four European outings. However, their domestic campaign tells a different story. Sitting 12th in Serie A, La Dea have won just three of 14 league games, including a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Hellas Verona last weekend—snapping a three-game winning streak across all competitions. That loss exposed defensive frailties, with the team conceding three goals despite dominating possession.
Under new boss Raffaele Palladino, Atalanta have shifted from their traditional high-scoring style to a more compact setup, boasting an impressive 53% clean sheet rate in Champions League games since last season—the highest among teams playing both domestic and European campaigns. All six of their European goals this term have come in the second half, hinting at a game plan focused on late surges at home. Key to their success will be exploiting transitions, with the Gewiss Stadium’s passionate crowd providing a formidable edge—Atalanta have lost just once at home in all competitions this season.
Chelsea’s Form
Chelsea, the recent Club World Cup winners, mirror Atalanta’s European prowess but have faltered domestically. Enzo Maresca’s side sit sixth in the Premier League after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Bournemouth—their first goalless game since the season opener—and just two points from their last three league matches, including a shock 3-1 loss to Leeds. Despite this, the Blues have won their last three European games against Italian sides without conceding, including a stunning 3-0 demolition of Barcelona.
This marks Chelsea’s 100th away game in the Champions League, with an impressive 41 wins from 99 prior outings—the most by any English club. However, they’re winless in their last four UCL away matches (one win in five overall), scoring just three goals on the road in this competition. Maresca will lean on his squad’s depth, with the return of Moisés Caicedo from suspension providing a midfield boost, though injuries to Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, and others could force rotation.
Potential Lineups
Both managers face injury headaches, but here’s how they might line up in a 4-3-3 vs. 4-2-3-1 setup for maximum impact.
Atalanta Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- GK: Marco Carnesecchi
- DEF: Raoul Bellanova, Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien, Berat Djimsiti
- MID: Davide Zappacosta, Éderson, Marten de Roon
- FWD: Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, Gianluca Scamacca
Chelsea Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Robert Sánchez
- DEF: Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato
- MID: Andrey Santos, Moisés Caicedo; Estêvão, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto
- FWD: João Pedro
Score Predictions
This matchup screams caution—Atalanta’s defensive solidity (eight clean sheets in 15 UCL games since last season) clashes with Chelsea’s blunt away form (winless in four UCL road trips). Yet, both teams have seen BTTS in 64% of simulations, with over 2.5 goals at 65% probability. Atalanta’s home resilience and Chelsea’s European edge point to a narrow Blues victory.
Our Prediction: Atalanta 1-2 Chelsea. The visitors’ quality shines through late, with Pedro or Neto netting the winner.
