Atletico Madrid travel to Eindhoven in the middle of a tough schedule that could define their entire season. Champions League clash against Cocu’s in-form PSV will be a proper challenge to Rojiblancos’ ambitions.

PSV – Force to be reckoned with

PSV Eindhoven are enjoying a successful season and are refusing to slow down. Sitting top of the Eredivisie with a point in front of the second-placed Ajax, the Rood-witten are planning on repeating the last year’s heroics and are looking to defend their domestic crown. At the same time, PSV will be eager to make another step forward in their Champions League campaign. Having qualified for the knock-out stages for the first time in last eight years, Cocu’s men will be eager to make their presence known and will not go down without a fight. PSV Eindhoven have suffered just one defeat in the league this season and their last draw, if we don’t count the KNV Beker loss to Utrech at the beginning of February, came in October when PSV were beaten at Wolfsburg in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Luuk de Jong will be sorely missed as the 25-year-old Dutch forward has so far netted 17 league goals in 23 games. He helped his team progress to the knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League with additional two goals and he has been a huge presence for the team this season, so hosts will be hoping his suspension will leave no trace in the team’s play.

Andres Guardado will be given a late fitness test to assess his hamstring knock which kept him on the sidelines since January.

Atletico Madrid need to step it up

Diego Simeone’s men are at the crossroads. Having won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions, Rojiblancos are experiencing a serious dip in form which saw them lose pace behind Barcelona at the La Liga standings. Simeone’s side are sitting second with eight points less than Blaugrana at the summit and the season looks as good as over as far as the title is concerned. Atleti will still have to fight for their second place as city rivals Real Madrid are breathing down their necks with just a point away. The two great adversaries will meet this weekend in a game which bears three huge points, but also the bragging rights and a significant morale boost. Before that, Atletico Madrid will have to consider their trip to Eindhoven and Diego Simeone will be looking to get the positive result before solving the entire tie in the return leg at Vicente Kalderon. Physically dominant and stronger than their Dutch counterparts, the Madrid-based club will use their pace and pressure to try and break the resilient Dutch hosts. Simeone’s strikers will need to step it up and start firing again, Antoine Griezmann most of all as the Frenchman failed to get on the scoresheet in his last four appearances.

Yannick Ferreira Carasco and Thomas are unavailable for the fixture, while Augusto Fernandez and Thiago remain the long-term absentees and their return is not expected for at least another month.

Verdict

PSV are not to be underestimated, but Atletico Madrid are blood-thirsty and I expect them to go hard from the off in order to finish the game as early as possible. This is likely to be a low-scoring affair and goals are another option to go by.

Top pick: Away win    1.87 (13/15) @888sport

Alternative pick 1: Under 2.5 goals    1.62 (8/13) @BetVictor

Alternative pick 2: Both teams to score – No    1.7 (7/10) @Bet365