Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention to Champions League action on Tuesday night, Tottenham will travel to the Spanish capital when they meet Atletico Madrid for their first-leg showdown.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, extending on their Champions League adventure last month as they secured a thrilling 7-4 aggregate victory against Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid will certainly feel that they have been handed a golden opportunity over the next week. Making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they secured a thrilling 3-2 win against Real Sociedad, Diego Simeone’s men will be confident of making a public European statement here. Eventually punching their spot in the final of this season’s Copa del Rey last week as they dragged themselves to a 4-3 aggregate win against bitter domestic rivals Barcelona, Atletico have also gained a reputation for the extended dominance on home soil. In fact, Simeone’s side have won all of their previous four consecutive showdowns in the Spanish capital and they have registered 15 goals.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Not featuring over the past month and dealing with a recent muscle injury, Atletico Madrid are once again expected to be without academy graduate Pablo Barrios. However, rejecting serious MLS interest over the weekend and announcing that he would not be leaving the Spanish capital, French superstar Antoine Griezmann should feature here.
Coming off the bench and bagging a La Liga brace against Real Sociedad over the weekend, ex-Juventus ace Nico Gonzalez could be handed a full recall. Notching a sensational Champions League hat-trick against Club Brugge on February 24th, one-time Crystal Palace misfit Alexander Sorloth will lead the line on Tuesday night.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, while Igor Tudor might have only arrived in north London last month, the Croatian tactician finds the pressure on his shoulders at a boiling point. Shattering a string of unwanted records this season, Tottenham find themselves at the heart of an infamous Premier League relegation scrap. Last seen falling to a 3-1 defeat at home against Crystal Palace, Spurs are sensationally regarded as the standout bottom-three contender. Remarkably failing to claim a single victory so far this calendar year, Tuesday’s guests have also lost all of their previous five consecutive Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 13-4. In fact, the Lilywhites have recorded just a pair of Premier League victories since the end of October. At the heart of a public nightmare, Spurs travel to Madrid on Tuesday night facing a monumental challenge.
Tottenham Team News
Missing the last four Premier League games after serving a domestic ban, skipper Cristiano Romero will start at the heart of Spurs’ defence. While fellow defensive talisman Micky van de Ven might be set to serve his own respective domestic suspension this weekend, the Dutch international is free to feature here.
Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Tottenham will be unable to call upon the likes of James Maddison, Lucas Bergval, Mohamed Kudus, Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur. Completing a £35million move from Atletico during the January transfer window, England international Conor Gallagher could be handed a full recall on his immediate return to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown will be the first competitive meeting between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham.
- Atletico have won all of their last four straight showdowns in the Spanish capital by an aggregate score of 15-5.
- Tottenham have lost their previous five consecutive Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 13-4.
- In fact, Spurs have astonishingly recorded just a pair of Premier League wins since the end of October.
- Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth has recorded six goals in his last five appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
At the heart of an infamous Premier League relegation scrap, Tottenham look set for what is another monumental challenge on Tuesday night. Now losing all of their last five consecutive domestic appearances by an aggregate score of 13-4, Spurs travel to the Spanish capital in midweek pencilled in as a landslide underdog. Meeting an Atletico Madrid side who have won their last four matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 15-5, Simeone’s side will be looking to make a major first-leg statement on home soil.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Luckster
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