Atl. Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen : Preview & Prediction
Atlético de Madrid welcomes Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial clash in Group B of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), in which only remains to be known which team will join Club Brugge in the round of 16. Having gone three European matches without winning or scoring (E1, P2), Diego Pablo Simeone’s side is depending on itself to qualify, but the red-and-whites could be eliminated from the group stage for the second time in the last ten years if they stumble again this Wednesday at the Metropolitano.
Atleti have taken four points in this UCL, all at the Metropolitano (G1, E1), which no longer looks like the fortress it once was: the Colchoneros have won just three of their seven matches at home this season (G3, E2, P2). All is not lost for Atleti, who go into this “final” having gone five games unbeaten in all competitions (G3, E2), and who have not been beaten at home by a German club since 1996 (G8, E3 since then).
This clash offers an added incentive for Xabi Alonso, who played as a midfielder for Real Madrid and Bayern against Cholo Simeone’s side, and will do so this time as Leverkusen coach. Since his triumphant debut at the helm of Die Werkself (4-0 vs. Schalke), the Toulouse-born coach has not tasted victory again (E1, P2), conceding a 5-1 drubbing to Eintracht Frankfurt in his last outing.
That winless streak began with a heavy 3-0 home loss to Porto, and that result means two wins in the final two rounds will only serve Leverkusen well enough to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17 if the Portuguese club is held to a draw in its two matches. The 2-0 win over Atleti on matchday two may give confidence to a Leverkusen side on the brink of elimination, but the poor record in their last ten UCL away games is far from encouraging (G2, E4, P4).
Players to watch: Antoine Griezmann, in a sweet moment, comes from signing in Atleti’s 2-1 win over Betis his first brace since October 2021. The French striker has six goals in the current campaign, including one of his team’s two goals in this group stage. Leverkusen will be keeping an eye on winger Moussa Diaby, who scored the second goal in the win over Atleti and opened the scoring in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg.
Series highlight: Atleti have not scored in the first half in any of their previous five UCL matches (G1, E2, P2).
Atl. Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen : Betting Tips
Atl. Madrid – Win Odds: 1.84
