Atletico Madrid vs Leipzig predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final in Lisbon. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as Atleti target a place in the last four.
by Mark Sochon – @marksoc1
Atletico Madrid vs Leipzig Preview
Five months on from a dramatic victory at Anfield, Atletico Madrid’s Champions League campaign finally resumes on Thursday evening. They take on RB Leipzig in Lisbon with a place in the Semi-Finals at stake for the winners and with a favourable draw, Atleti look to have their best chance of winning this competition since they last made the final four years ago.
This is of course the city where they came within minutes of becoming European champions in 2014 only for Sergio Ramos’ late intervention to scupper that dream in the first of two Madrid derby Finals. With both Real Madrid and old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo out of this year’s competition, there is cautious optimism that this might just be Atleti’s year.
They are certainly a side that has improved as this season has progressed following wholesale changes last summer. Including that Extra Time victory at Anfield, they are unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions heading into this game, a run that stretches way back to early February.
For all the talk about an ‘easy draw’, RB Leipzig will provide a stern test though. They only suffered 4 defeats in the 2019/20 Bundesliga on their way to an excellent 3rd place finish and were too good for Tottenham in the last round of this competition, sealing a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory.
Unquestionably though, the absence of Timo Werner who has since joined Chelsea, is a major blow for the Germans. With 32 goals in all competitions this season, Werner had been the focal point of Leipzig’s attack and he will be sorely missed, particularly with Yussuf Poulsen also a doubt for this game.
Atleti will be without both Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko who tested positive for coronavirus last week. Thomas Partey is their only other slight selection doubt but the midfielder is still expected to start.
Atletico Madrid vs Leipzig Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw in 90 mins (Atleti to Progress in Extra Time)
This might just be a tougher game than some Atleti fans are expecting. Leipzig are a strong side and while Werner’s absence is significant, they still have enough quality in midfield to really test Atleti. We can see this going to Extra Time but fancy Atleti to sneak through into the Semis with their strong showing in the added period on Merseyside likely to stand them in good stead.
UEFA Champions League Betting Tips (18+)
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Atletico Madrid vs Leipzig H2H
- The sides have never previously met in a competitive setting.
Predicted Line Ups
Atleti Team:
Oblak – Lodi, Gimenez, Savic, Trippier – Koke, Saul, Thomas, Llorente – Costa, Felix (4-4-2)
RB Leipzig Team:
Gulacsi – Halstenberg, Upamecano, Klostermann – Angelino, Sabitzer, Laimer, Mukiele – Olmo, Nkunku – Schick (3-4-2-1)
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