Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
The BayArena in Leverkusen will not be a place for the faint-hearted this week.
Anything but victory could eliminate the hosts from Europe’s top table with a whimper and that is not what highly-rated coach Peter Bosz and his players want.
As the 2002 Champions League runners-up face the 2014 sand 2016 runners-up, they face another tough task in attempting to win their first point in Group D.
In fact, Leverkusen simply have no margin for error.
As they welcome Atlético Madrid to Germany, they know a fourth successive defeat will end their hopes of finishing in the top two.
Talking Points
Given that Leverkusen have won only one of their last seven matches in all competitions and went down 2-1 at home to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, it is no surprise they are not the favourites.
They have also gone four Bundesliga games without a win, their worst run under Bosz, as well as being pointless in Europe.
Well beaten against Juventus first time out, they at least put in a much-improved Champions League showing a fortnight ago, only going down to a late Alvaro Morata goal.
Yet Atlético are hardly setting the world alight domestically themselves.
They have drawn seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions, winning the other four games.
A creditable 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Saturday means they remain only one point off the La Liga summit but they hardly look like they are equipped for a sustained title challenge.
In their defence, they have lost key men such as Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Rodri and Gelson Martins, plus other departures.
On the upside, some pundits believe Diego Costa is about to explode into action as the Rojiblancos –who have reached two Champions League and three Europa League finals in the last decade — aim to create more Champions League highlights.
Although he is unlikely to start, big-money signing Joao Felix trained alone as Atletico completed their final training session before heading to Germany so could make the bench.
The Portuguese forward hasn’t played since he picked up an ankle injury against Valencia in mid-October. Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic were absent as they continued their recovery from injury.
Leverkusen have been hampered by absences of key players in recent weeks and captain Lars Bender is expected to sit out with a hamstring injury.
However, the form of stand-in skipper Kevin Volland and Lucas Alario in attack offers encouragement with the pair playing a role in three of Leverkusen’s last four league goals.
History
A tight Matchday 3 fixture in Spain was settled in the home side’s favour by that Morata goal 12 minutes from time, giving Atlético seven points from their first three fixtures, level with Juventus – and seven ahead of Leverkusen who have scored just one goal and already trail third-placed Lokomotiv Moskva by three points.
That was the seventh ever meeting between the two clubs and Leverkusen have only won once, drawing three and losing the other three.
Atlético were 4-2 aggregate victors when the teams met in the last 16 in 2017. All the goals came in the first leg in Germany when Saúl Ñíguez opening the scoring for the visitors, who came out on top despite a Savic own goal.
Also on target that night were Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Fernando Torres.
The teams had met at the same stage of the 2015 Champions League when each won their home game 1-0 before Atlético went through 3-2 on penalties.
The teams played out two 1-1 draws in the 2010/11 Europa League group stage. Then, Jupp Heynckes’ Leverkusen ended up top of that section while the elimination of Quique Sánchez Flores’ Atlético, then holders, was confirmed with the Matchday 6 draw at Leverkusen.
Betting Tip
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Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid | 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 |
| November 07, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOBET Champions League betting odds favour the visitors but not by much.
Atletico are priced 1X2 @ 2.56 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.25, while the home side can be backed 1X2 @ 2.74 and with Asian Handicap betting -0.25 @ 2.38.
First Half 1X2 betting could earn you a fair payday. The prices are Bayer Leverkusen @ 3.35 and Atletico @ 3.25 with the draw @ 2.03.
With First Half Asian Handicap odds, how about Leverkusen 0.00 @ 1.98 or Atletico -0.25 @ 2.56?
A repeat of their first meeting is available @ 7.60.
Atletico have lost four of their last five matches in Germany.
The Werkself have drawn seven of their last 13 European home games (won four, lost two) and it is that scoreline I am plumping for.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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