fot. Szymon Gorski/PressFocus
🏟️ Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
📅 Tuesday 18th February 2020.
⚽ Kick-off: 20:00 (UK).
🏆 UEFA Champions League.
📺 TV: BT Sport 2 (UK).
Liverpool return to the scene of last year’s Champions League triumph as they face Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 knockout stages.
Still struggling
Atletico Madrid have had a poor season by their lofty standards. Their defence is still as strong as ever, but they can barely find the net. Costa and Morata have not been prolific enough, and Atleti have scored a measly 25 goals in 24 games during this season’s La Liga campaign. The Champions League is their focus now, and it’s the only remaining competition they can realistically win. They finished second in their group behind Juventus with 10 points. Atletico Madrid are currently at 33/1 to win the Champions League.
Invincible?
Liverpool are still unbeaten in the league, but their Champions League form is a bit more erratic. They found things tougher than expected during the group stage matches. However, it was the same story in the previous two years, and they became a different animal once the knockout stages rolled around and ended up making the final in 2018 and won in 2019.
Liverpool won 0-1 at Norwich on Saturday with a goal from Sadio Mane who is currently at 19/10 to score again during this match.
Match preview
Atletico will look to counter and are more than capable of sneaking a 1-0 or 2-0 win. They need to take a win to Anfield to stand a chance of progressing. If they get an early goal - they could cause Liverpool some serious problems on the counter. Liverpool are still the heavy favourites but will find Atletico Madrid more challenging to break down compared to their usual Premier League opponents. Cruising the league may well be detrimental in their defence of the Champions League. Juventus, Bayern Munich and PSG have all struggled in the Champions League in recent years despite their domestic dominance. Liverpool are at 4/1 to defend their Champions League title.
Key players
Mo Salah: Liverpool’s top scorer in the Champions League this term. Can he help his team unlock Atletico Madrid’s defence?
Jan Oblak: Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world; he will have to be at his best if his side are to advance to the quarter-finals.
Injury news
Atletico Madrid: Diego Costa, Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier.
Liverpool: n/a
Betting tip
Despite being underdogs; our betting tip is a home win for Atletico Madrid at generous odds of 12/5.
Whatever you bet on, enjoy the game and don’t forget that our prices are subject to fluctuation. Please check our Sports Betting page for the latest odds.