Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
In what is a heavyweight Champions League opener on Thursday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome RB Leipzig to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, marking their return from September’s international break with a rampant performance at the Metropolitano as they stormed their way to a 3-0 victory against Valencia, Atletico Madrid have continued to shine since opening up the new campaign. Continuing to receive a host of plaudits, Diego Simeone’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Heading into September’s fortnight interval with a gritty 1-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao, the Spanish heavyweights are unbeaten in all of their first five La Liga appearances. Making a heavyweight statement last month as they claimed another 3-0 win against Girona, Atletico have gained an early reputation for their performances in the final third. Already notching nine domestic goals, Simeone’s camp will be excited to get their Champions League adventure underway here.
Team News
Missing out against Valencia last weekend, Atletico Madrid are once again sweating over the fitness of midfield starlet Pablo Barrios here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since opening up the new campaign, Simeone’s camp will be without former Monaco star Thomas Lemar on Thursday night.
Coming off the bench and opening his La Liga account against Valencia on Sunday night, summer recur Julian Alvarez could be handed a full recall in midweek. Likewise, getting on the scoresheet over the weekend and continuing to impress since arriving from Chelsea, England international Conor Gallagher will start at the heart of Atletico’s midfield.
RB Leipzig
As for the visitors, while some in RB Leipzig’s camp might have been left disappointed last season as they had to settle for a fourth-place finish among Germany’s elite, the Red Bulls have come flying out of the traps this time around. Putting even points on the board from their first three Bundesliga appearances so far this year, Marco Rose’s camp have continued to impress under the guidance of the former Borussia Dortmund boss. Springing what was a sensational upset away at defending German champions Bayer Leverkusen on August 31st as they snatched a 3-2 win at the BayArena, Thursday’s guests will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Atletico. Claiming a 2-1 victory when they last met the Spanish heavyweights in Champions League action back in August 2020, Leipzig will certainly ask their fair share of questions in midweek.
Team News
While Hungarian defender Willi Orban might currently be serving a domestic suspension, the 31-year-old is free to feature on Thursday night. However, yet to make a single appearance so far this season and still sidelined with a long-term knee injury, former Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver Schlager remains on the sidelines and will not play any part in Madrid.
Completing another season-long loan switch from PSG over the summer, Dutch international Xavi Simons will play a leading role here. Notching four goals in his back-to-back appearances for Slovenia over September’s international break, 21-year-old Benjamin Sesko will lead Rose’s attack.
Key Factors to Consider
