Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions and match preview for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture. Read on for analysis and predicted lineups as Atleti target a much needed European win.
| Date | Wednesday 26th October 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Metropolitano |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Atletico Madrid have a hugely important Champions League game this week. They welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Metropolitano and they need three points to guarantee they have a chance of qualifying when next week’s trip to Porto comes around.
Having won their opening game against the Portuguese side in dramatic fashion in Stoppage Time, Atleti have only collected 1 point from their 3 UCL games since then. That point came last time out as they drew 0-0 at home to Club Brugge but there is no more margin for error as far as Diego Simeone’s side are concerned and they really need to find a way to grind out a victory here.
They did get a good result in LaLiga at the weekend which should be a major boost to morale heading into this. Antoine Griezmann’s brace ensured a 2-1 win away to Betis. It feels like there is a bit more clarity to what they are trying to do now with the 4-4-2 back and Griezmann playing his best football since returning to the club. If the Frenchman can get back towards his peak levels, that could have a really transformative impact on Atletico Madrid’s season and they’ll be desperate to find a way through to the last 16 of this competition once more.
Bayer Leverkusen are also in the position where they have to win this to guarantee themselves a fighting chance of Champions League progress on matchday 6, although much does depend on what happens in Brugge in the other game in the group. The Germans have had a really poor campaign with the exception of a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the BayArena on matchday 2.
Apart from that, they’ve lost three out of three without scoring a goal and their 3-0 home defeat against Porto in their last game would have been particularly tough to swallow. If they lose again here, Leverkusen would be certain to finish 4th in this group so it’ll be interesting to see just how ambitious their coach is willing to be with 3rd and Europa League football perhaps a more realistic goal for them from this position.
Possible Lineups (via Sofascore)
Score Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen
It feels like we’ve been here many times before with Atletico Madrid in this competition. It’s a game which on paper they should win, yet Los Rojiblancos always find a way to make life difficult for themselves. They may need to be a bit patient here but over 90 minutes, the hosts should find a breakthrough and a goal that will set them up for another decisive final game in Porto next week.
PLEASE NOTE – Our European predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish teams playing in Europe. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
