Atletico Madrid VS Liverpool Match Prediction
2020-02-18
20:00:00
Atletico Madrid
VS
Liverpool
Our Prediction Tip
Draw will win this match.
2020-02-1820:00:00 Draw will win this match.
This will be the fifth European meeting between these two teams, having previously met in the Champions League group stage in 2008, drawing both matches 1-1, and then in the Europa League semi-finals in 2010 when the La Liga side won 1-0 at home and advanced on away goals after a 2-1 win away.
Liverpool will have hoped for an easier tie after topping their group, but Atletico Madrid were one of the tougher opponents they could have drawn in the last 16.
At home especially, Atletico have a great record and – even if their form in 2020 has not been great overall – it is now just one defeat in their last 23 games on home soil.
Liverpool’s form of course, home and away, is spectacular and the Reds’ winning machine rolled on last weekend when Sadio Mane returned from injury to score the winner against Norwich.
Mane is back to reunite in the ‘Fab Three’ up front with Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah, while the likes of Jordan Henderson – who set up last weekend’s winner – continue to impress behind.
Diego Costa and Joao Felix being out with injury, on the other hand, diminishes the Atletico frontline, even if Alvaro Morata is back to full fitness.
Atletico have never been built on fierce attacking strength, but more on a solid defence and their two consecutive clean sheets in their last two home games is a positive.
They have only conceded once in their last five home matches in all competitions and that will be why this tie could be tricky for Liverpool to negotiate.
Nevertheless, if Atletico’s defence cancels out Liverpool’s front line, a draw would still put Jurgen Klopp’s side in charge of this tie ahead of the second leg at Anfield.
Liverpool are favourites to advance overall, but this match in Madrid could produce very little between the two teams.
Liverpool are in fine form and they are 6/5 favourites to win with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Paddy Power and Betway. Atletico are tough to beat at home, however, and a draw is 9/4 with Bet365, Betfair and Paddy Power.
Both teams to score has been set at 49/50 with 888sport but under 2.5 goals will return a best price of 7/10 with Betfair.
Mo Salah is 19/10 with 888sport to score at any time, while Sadio Mane is 23/10. For Atletico Madrid, Alvaro Morata will lead the line and he is 5/2 with 888sport.
Atletico Madrid are tough to beat on home soil, and even Liverpool’s machine-like success could come to a halt – for this first leg at least.
Diego Costa and Joao Felix remain sidelined for Atletico Madrid, while England international Kieran Trippier is also still out injured. Jose Maria Gimenez was back on the bench last time out, however, while Alvaro Morata also returned from injury in that game, as did Santiago Arias.
Alvaro Morata – Returned from the bench last time out and the striker’s return is timely with Diego Costa missing out.
Jose Maria Gimenez – Another key player back in contention at just the right time, the experienced defender will be key to Atletico’s hopes of keeping Liverpool out.
Stefan Savic – Set to play alongside Gimenez at the heart of the Atletico defence, his time in England was a frustrating one but he still has one more Premier League winner’s medal than Liverpool do (for now).
Atletico Madrid have been out of form since the turn of the year, but they did win their most recent home game – Angel Correa’s early goal proving the difference against Granada, as they bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid the previous week. Last time out, Marcos Llorente and Thomas Partey both scored at Valencia, but the hosts hit back twice to draw 2-2.
Sadio Mane and James Milner both returned from the bench against Norwich last time out, with Mane scoring and surely set to start in Madrid. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s form could mean he drops into the midfield three, however, with Naby Keita making way instead.
Mohamed Salah – Now has 18 goals in 34 matches in all competitions this season, most recently scoring twice to seal the home win against Southampton.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Two goals and 11 assists from right-back highlight just how important the wing-back has been so far this season.
Sadio Mane – Returned from injury to score his 16th goal of the season in all competitions last time out and will be pushing for a start this time.
Liverpool made it 43 Premier League games without defeat when Sadio Mane’s goal ensured they returned from their winter break with a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-league Norwich City. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah (twice) had scored in a 4-0 win at home to Southampton in their previous league game.
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