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Pressure on Chelsea to return to winning ways against Atalanta after mini-slump
After three games without a win in the Premier League, Chelsea’s trip to Atalanta tonight in Matchday 6 of this season’s UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 on Wednesday has taken on added importance.
Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall assesses the factors behind the Blues’ recent wobble as they bid to return to winning ways in Italy and showcase their Champions League credentials.
Title odds starting to lengthen
Just over a week ago, Enzo Maresca’s side were being tipped as potential contenders to win the Premier League.
After taking just two points from a possible nine in their past three matches, though, their chances of being crowned champions have slipped dramatically.
There was no shame in being held to a 1-1 draw at home to leaders Arsenal in the first game of that sequence.
But a 3-1 defeat at Leeds United last Wednesday set the alarm bells ringing and was followed by a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Maresca’s men have fallen to fifth – eight points behind Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Gunners at the summit.
Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Caicedo a huge miss
Moises Caicedo was shown a straight red card in the recent 1-1 draw against Arsenal for a dangerous challenge on Mikel Merino.
The Chelsea midfielder is now serving a three-match ban and was suspended for last week’s trip to Elland Road and the goalless draw at Bournemouth.
He will also miss Saturday’s home game against Everton but the good news is that Caicedo will be available to face Atalanta in the Champions League tonight.
The Blues don’t half miss the former Brighton man when he is not on the field.
The statistics back that up and the way Leeds dominated the midfield last week in Caicedo’s absence underlined his importance to the Chelsea cause.
His return to the side will be welcomed with open arms this evening.
Visionhaus/Getty Images
Delap’s rotten luck continues
Liam Delap’s impact at Chelsea since arriving in a £30million summer switch from Ipswich Town has been underwhelming so far.
He played a part in their FIFA Club World Cup success in the US, scoring once in six appearances during the tournament including the 3-0 final win over reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But the injury-hit 22-year-old has yet to find any consistent form in a Chelsea jersey this term, with his only goal to date being in the Champions League in the stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona.
After eight Premier League appearances for Maresca’s team, Delap has yet to break his duck and last weekend’s stalemate at Bournemouth.
The game saw Delap’s cruel luck continue as he picked up a shoulder injury and was forced off after just 32 minutes.
Having already missed two months of the season with a hamstring injury, he is now set for another potentially lengthy period on the sidelines.
FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Palmer still working his way back to fitness
It is dificult to put a price on Cole Palmer's value to Chelsea.
When they won the Club World Cup during the summer, the former Manchester City prospect underlined his status as one of finest talents in European football.
But his 2025-26 season has been stunted by time on the sidelines caused by first a groin injury and then a fractured toe sustained in a freak incident at home.
The 23-year-old made his first start in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday since September 20 but is expected to miss the Atalanta clash as Chelsea nurse him carefully back to full fitness.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Champions League hopes remain alive and well
Despite their recent inconsistency and problems with injuries and suspension, Chelsea are well placed to progress in the Champions League and finish in the top eight.
That would see them automatically qualify for the round of 16 and encourage hopes of potential European glory once again.
The Blues have won the Champions League twice in recent times, in 2012 and 2021, and they beat current European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final during the summer.
That Stateside success followed their Conference League win last season and proved Maresca can deliver trophies.
And as they showed in Matchday 5 of the Champions League when thrashing Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea can compete with the very best that Europe has to offer.
@ChelseaFC
Full Champions League fixture list for Round 6
Tuesday, 9 December
- Kairat Almaty vs Olympiacos
- Bayern Munich vs Sporting CP
- Atalanta vs Chelsea
- Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Inter vs Liverpool
- Monaco vs Galatasaray
- PSV Eindhoven vs Atletico Madrid
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Slavia Prague
- Union St. Gilloise vs Marseille
Wednesday, 10 December
- Qarabag FK vs Ajax
- Villareal vs FC København
- Athletic Club vs PSG
- Leverkusen vs Newcastle
- Benfica vs Napoli
- Dortmund vs Bodø/Glimt
- Club Brugge vs Arsenal
- Juventus vs Pafos FC
- Real Madrid vs Man City
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch selected Champions League matches as part of their DAZN subscription package, in Spanish language.
For each match week, DAZN will have exclusive coverage of the top three pick games, including the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, and PSG, in Spanish. Click here to see which games are available on DAZN .
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Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
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