Atlético Madrid vs. RB Leipzig - Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Preview
Atlético Madrid will entertain German side RB Leipzig at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Thursday. Diego Simeone's hosts reached the last eight of the competition with a 3-2 aggregate triumph over Manchester United in the previous round, while Leipzig saw off Serie A giants Atalanta 3-2 over two legs.The two sides are meeting for only the second time, with their only previous encounter coming in last season's group stage, when Atleti claimed a 2-1 home victory before losing 2-0 away in Germany.
Atlético Madrid
Atleti's hopes of securing a top-four finish in La Liga this season appear to be dwindling after they could only manage a goalless draw with Granada at home on Sunday.
Simeone's men are now sixth in the table, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Barcelona, and they have not won in the league since the end of February.
The Spanish side have, however, been in good form in the Champions League this season, winning five of their six group-stage matches before edging past Manchester United in the last 16.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig, meanwhile, kept their hopes of finishing in the Bundesliga's top four alive with a 4-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Domenico Tedesco's team moved up to fifth in the table with the win, just one point behind fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, and they have now won their last three league games.
Leipzig have also been in excellent form in the Champions League this season, winning four of their six group-stage matches before beating Atalanta in the last 16.
Team News
Atleti will be without the suspended Felipe for the first leg, while Sime Vrsaljko, José Giménez, and Mario Hermoso are all doubts with injuries.
Leipzig, meanwhile, will be without the injured Marcel Halstenberg, Amadou Haidara, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Predicted Lineups
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Savic, Reinildo, Lodi; Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Griezmann, Cunha, Felix
RB Leipzig: Gulácsi; Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol; Mukiele, Laimer, Kampl, Angelino; Nkunku, Silva, Werner
Prediction
This is a tough match to call, as both teams are in good form and have quality players in their ranks.
Atleti have the home advantage, but Leipzig have been in impressive form on their travels in the Champions League this season.
We predict a close match, with Leipzig edging it by a narrow margin.
Comments