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Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who will turn their attention back to Champions League action on Tuesday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, watching their remarkable purple patch come to an abrupt end last weekend, Atletico Madrid will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Leganes on Saturday, Diego Simeone’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent. Battling it out at the heart of a La Liga title scrap, the Spanish giants have won 15 of their previous 16 appearances across all competitions. Collecting a heavyweight scalp prior to November’s international break as they collected a 2-1 win against PSG, Atletico will be excited by their extended dominance on home soil. Including what was an astonishing 4-3 victory against Sevilla on December 8th, Simeone’s side have won all of their last six consecutive showdowns at the Metropolitano by an aggregate score of 13-5.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Not featuring since opening the New Year, Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Gimenez will not feature on Tuesday night. Likewise, missing out over the weekend and dealing with a “moderate” injury, Norwegian marksman Alexander Sorloth is seen as a real doubt.
While French superstar Antoine Griezmann might have missed a last-gasp penalty away at Leganes on Saturday, the 33-year-old will play a leading role in the final third. Finding the net in two of his previous three appearances across all competitions, ex-Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez should keep his spot alongside Griezmann.
Bayer Leverkusen
As for the visitors, although Bayer Leverkusen might have endured a stuttering start when opening up the 2024/25 campaign, Xabi Alonso’s men have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Making real history last season as they got their hands on a maiden Bundesliga crown, the defending German champions are riding what has become a major wave of momentum. Putting in another dominant display over the weekend as they secured a 3-1 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach, the one-time Liverpool midfielder has seen his high-flying squad win all of their last 11 appearances across all competitions since returning from November’s international break. Sat in the driving seat to punch a Champions League quarter-final ticket this year, Leverkusen have also continued to shine on their travels. In fact, Tuesday’s guests have won all of their previous four showdowns away from the BayArena by an aggregate score of 8-3.
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Still dealing with a long-term thigh injury and not making a single appearance since returning from November’s fortnight interval, attacking talisman Victor Boniface remains on the sidelines. Suffering with an ankle issue and not featuring since the end of October, Morocco international Amine Adil will not travel to Madrid.
Finding the net against Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend and now notching seven goals in just his last four appearances, Patrik Shick will spearhead Alonso’s attack. Former Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka will partner Robert Andrich in the middle of the park.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen last met back in October 2022, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Metropolitano.
- Leverkusen have won all of their 11 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Despite their 1-0 loss against Leganes over the weekend, Atletico have won all of their other 15 appearances across all formats.
- Leverkusen have won their last four showdowns away from the BayArena by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- Likewise, Atletico have won all of their previous six battles at the Metropolitano by an aggregate score of 13-5.
Conclusion
With Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they last met at the Metropolitano back in October 2022, neutrals will be hoping for a similar affair on Tuesday night. With the defending German champions remarkably winning all of their last 11 consecutive appearances across all competitions, Alonso’s side will be looking to take a giant leap towards a Champions League knockout stage ticket. However, meeting an Atletico squad that will certainly be seeking for an immediate response on home soil, we are expecting an enjoyable battle here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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