UEFA Super Cup Final Preview : Chelsea vs Athletico Madrid

Venue: Stade Louis IIDate : 31st August 2012Kickoff: 19:45 BSTTV: Ten Sports or Ten Action ( check listings for confirmation)

Possible Lineups:

Chelsea F.C. (4-2-3-1): Cech-Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole-Lampard, Mikel, Bertrand, Mata, Hazard-Torres

Athletico Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois-Juanfran,Miranda, Godin, Kasmirski-Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Turan, Rodriguez, Falcao

Referee - Skomina

Team News:

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry, who is out with suspension after a receiving a red card against Barcelona in the Champions League semi finals.

Athletico have Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois between their sticks and have a fully fit squad to pick for the game in Monaco.

Notes:

Players to watch out for : Hazard, Torres and Falcao

The European champions take on the Europa League winners in a much awaited Super Cup final at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Both Chelsea and Athletico have won the competition once. Hazard and Mata will be the focal points of all attacks by providing ammunition to in-form striker Fernando Torres. For Chelsea to scrap out a decisive win, Mikel will have to keep Falcao quiet and the defensive pairing of Gary Cahill and David Luiz have to maintain high levels of concentration.

Prediction: 2-1 to Chelsea or 1-1 draw and penalties to decide the outcome. Chelsea are in top form with 9 points out of 9 in the English Premier League whereas Athletico destroyed Bilbao 4-0 after drawing Levante. Chelsea go in as clear favorites, but an upset is definitely on the cards.