Atletico Madrid Clash with RB Leipzig: A Look Ahead, Predictions, and Top Wagers
Rewritten Article:
Atletico Madrid Takes on RB Leipzig in Champions League Clash
Prepare for an electrifying encounter as Atletico Madrid squares off against RB Leipzig on Thursday in the UEFA Champions League. Last season, Diego Simeone's side advanced to the quarter-finals, while Leipzig bowed out against Real Madrid in the round of 16 despite dominating the shot count over two legs.
Atletico Madison's Rollercoaster Season
Atletico Madrid's 2023-24 campaign has been a rollercoaster ride. After entering the Champions League quarter-final against Dortmund with six losses in 12 matches, they managed to win the first leg before suffering a 4-2 defeat in the return leg, resulting in a 5-3 aggregate exit. However, their season ended on a high note with an impressive five-game winning streak in their final six La Liga matches. The campaign kicked off with a 2-2 draw against Villarreal, followed by four clean sheets against Girona, Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, and Valencia.
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Atletico Madison's Health Report
Pablo Barrios is the only injury concern for Atletico Madrid. With a settled starting lineup, José Giménez and Robin Le Normand form a resilient backline alongside veteran César Azpilicueta. Conor Gallagher will anchor midfield, while Marcos Llorente plays at right wingback. Diego Simeone must decide between the physicality of Alexander Sørloth and the agility of Julián Álvarez to partner Antoine Griezmann up front.
Atletico Madison's Ambitions
Atletico will be seeking a strong start at home, especially with challenging away fixtures against Benfica and PSG on the horizon in their next Champions League matches. Expect them to attack relentlessly while being cautious of counterattacks, delivering a high-energy, gritty performance.
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Leipzig's Struggles and Successes
Despite an impressive display against Real Madrid last season—recording 20 shots—Leipzig fell short in their tie. Following their Champions League exit, they embarked on a 10-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga, concluding the 2024-25 campaign with six wins and four draws. The new season commenced with a 4-1 cup victory over Rot-Weiss Essen, followed by a 1-0 league win over Bochum, a thrilling 3-2 away comeback against Bayer Leverkusen, and a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against Union Berlin despite dominating the possession and shots on target.
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Leipzig's Injury Concerns and Lineup Shift
Central midfielder Xaver Schlager and midfielder Forzan Assan Ouedraogo are sidelined with injuries. Coach Marco Rose has taken a new approach for the 2023-24 season, transitioning from a 4-2-2-2 to a 3-4-3 formation following Dani Olmo's departure. There is a possibility that Benjamin Šeško will sit out in favor of a natural winger such as Antonio Nusa. New signing Lutsharel Geertruida is expected to maintain his position on the right side of the back three.
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Leipzig's Aim for the Victory
Leipzig will continue their aggressive style of play and will be eager for a win in Spain. However, drawing would not be a disappointment, as they tend to prioritize attack over defense.
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Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have kept four consecutive clean sheets at home.
- Atletico Madrid have won their last five home Champions League matches, scoring 15 goals.
- Leipzig have gone undefeated in their last 15 competitive matches.
- Both Teams to Score (Yes) has occurred in Leipzig's last four away Champions League matches.
- Leipzig's last 13 away Champions League games have featured a total of 57 goals (28 scored, 29 conceded).
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The Expert's Take
The statistics suggest a high-scoring, action-packed encounter with both teams likely to find the back of the net. Although Atletico look strong at the moment, they might stumble in this clash on home turf.
Best Bet: Draw at 3.30
Value Bet: Griezmann to score anytime at 2.50
Alternate Bet: Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 1.66
James O'Connor
James O'Connor is a football analyst who focuses on the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching license and has worked as an analyst for various clubs. You can follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/footy_analysis.
- Atletico Madrid's encounter against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League is anticipated to be electrifying, particularly since both teams have demonstrated impressive form in European leagues.
- After a rollercoaster season that saw them exit the Champions League against Dortmund, Atletico Madrid will be aiming for a strong start at home, ensuring caution against counterattacks while attacking relentlessly.
- RB Leipzig, who have shown their potential last season against Real Madrid, are eager for a win in Spain, continuing their aggressive style of play, but they might be content with a draw as well, given their focus on offence rather than defense.
- Key statistics reveal a high-scoring, action-packed game, with both teams likely to find the back of the net. Atletico Madrid has kept four consecutive clean sheets at home, while Leipzig has gone undefeated in their last 15 competitive matches and has a history of high-scoring away Champions League games.
