Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Prediction & Match Preview

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
UEFA Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue:  Anfield.

The Reds seem to be going downhill right when the crucial period of the season kicked off. The PL is in the bag, but their chances of defending the European crown looks doubtful. Diego Simeone’s men should make this contest a low-scoring one, as they try to keep safe their one-goal lead.

Match Preview

Jurgen Klopp’s men once again showed their weakness in an away ground in the Champions League, in the first leg of this tie. Despite being the reigning champions, they were forced to make do with a 1-0 loss against Simeone’s men.

The goal had come early in the game for the Spanish team, and they showed phenomenal composure in keeping the incredible frontline of the guests at bay for the remaining 86 minutes.

Klopp threw everything he had at his Argentine counterpart, but sadly could not slot in an away goal, which frankly would have turned the whole story around.

On top of that, the Reds are struggling (according to their high standards) at present. They were eliminated from the FA Cup by Chelsea, they lost their unbeaten run in the PL (bidding goodbye to their dream of lifting the Golden PL trophy), and lost to their Spanish opponents in the CL – and all these came in the span of a single week.

On the contrary, despite some earlier struggles in the season, the Madrid outfit seem to be raising their level right when it was most needed for them.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Head-to-head (h2h)

• The first leg ended in a 1-0 win for Atleti, at their home.
• Only once have the English outfit won in the last 12 years, and the victory came ten years back in the Europa League.
• Five of the past seven matches had goals from both teams.
• Since 2008, not once have the Reds kept a clean sheet against this opponent.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Prediction

The sole goal scored by Saul in the 4th minute of the two-legged tie will play a significant role in determining the winner. Right from the get-go, the Reds will be under pressure to find the equalizer. They do have confidence of the comeback they had made against Barcelona the last season.

However, the story is different now. Then Klopp’s men were in much better form, and then they had the element of surprise (as no one expected them to thwart Barca). This time around, they are under-performing, and the whole world (especially Diego Simeone) know what to expect – and they will come prepared.

On top of that, the Madrid outfit are on a six-game unbeaten run at the moment (that included the likes of Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal etc), and have shown good composure in their past several fixtures. On the other hand, the Reds have not kept a clean sheet in their prior five match-ups, and conceded a total of nine goals from their past five games.

As such, we can count on Diego Simeone’s men to defend as if their lives depended on it, and play it extremely safe. Keeping in mind the disaster Barca walked into last season, Atleti will be really cautious. They will attempt for an away goal, but will not go after risks.

Likely, we can expect a goalless first half. And as time progresses, Klopp’s men will come under more and more pressure, and at some point, their incessant attacks will leave spaces at the back, which will be utilized by Spanish outfit to find the precious away goal. Consequentially, expect the guests to avoid a loss at the least this Wednesday.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips

• Under 0.5 Goals in the First Half @ 2.50 (3/2)

• Double Chance: Atletico Madrid or Draw @ 2.50 (3/2).