Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid

February 20, 2017
By: Milos Markovic

Champions League brings huge opportunity for both German and Spanish side to save their respective seasons and there is no doubt there will be plenty of fire and enthusiasm when Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid lock horns in a tussle for a place in the quarterfinals.

Bayer hold out for revenge

It is the second time Bayer Leverkusen face Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League in three seasons and the Germans are holding out for revenge on the La Liga side. Having both won their home legs 1-0 back in 2015, Bayer Leverkusen succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat and the Bundesliga side are now hoping for a different outcome of the matchup. Bayer boss Schmidt is under pressure this season as his team sit eighth in the Bundesliga standings this season, struggling to find consistency in their performances. And with team’s main creative string Calhanoglu out for the season, the Germans are facing a proper challenge in all competitions. On the positive end, Javier Hernandez’s return to the fold has injected the team with a much-needed attacking spark and Bayer Leverkusen head into their Atletico Madrid clash on the back of two consecutive wins against Eintrach Frankfurt and Augsburg, respectively.

Jonathan Tah’s absence is likely to be a huge defensive blow for the hosts, whereas Hakan Calhanoglu’s ban is a problem that has already been accounted for.

Champions League the priority for Atletico

Diego Simeone and his men find themselves in hot waters this season as they remain just a shadow of their former selves this term. Four La Liga defeats have seen them drop to fourth place in the standings, and although the Champions League places are still up for grabs Atletico Madrid appear to be lacking the edge that has been synonymous with Rojiblancos over the last couple of years. With their La Liga campaign hanging by a thread, Atletico Madrid are keen to preserve their international reputation however. Having finished runners-up in two of the last three editions of the elite club competition, Diego Simeone’s men are eager to replicate the success and go as far as they can in the Champions League. An away goal would set them in good position against the Bundesliga side and given the fact they only failed to score once in their last eight matches away from home is enough to offer some reassuring optimism to the Spanish club.

Diego Simeone is faced with a number of injuries to his first-team choices as Diego Godin, Juanfran and Tiago are the most prominent players on the sidelines due to their respective injuries. In addition, the visitors are without Barragan and Fernandez.

Verdict

Atletico Madrid, despite their ongoing struggles are a resilient side and a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League. Having scored four goals in a compelling 4-1 victory over Gijon last time out, Rojiblancos are expected to continue in the same rhythm.

Top pick: Atletico Madrid   2.40 (7/5) @WilliamHill

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – No   1.85 (17/20) @BetVictor

Alternative pick 2: Under 2.5 goals   1.57 (4/7) @Bet365

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