Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-0
Best Odds: 5/1
Atletico Madrid and Celtic will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. The Group E match between the La Liga club and the Scottish Premiership outfit will be held at the Metropolitano Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are one of the biggest clubs in the world who regularly challenge for the La Liga title and compete in the UEFA Champions League. Atletico are expected to go far in Europe’s premier club competition this time as well.
Diego Simeone’s side are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 25 points from 11 matches. Atletico are six points behind leaders Girona, who have played 12 games. Real Madrid and Barcelona have played 12 matches each as well and are on 29 and 27 points respectively.
Atletico are doing well in the UEFA Champions League as well at the moment. The La Liga club are second in Group E with five points from three matches, a point behind leaders Feyenoord and a point ahead of Lazio in third.
Team News:
Netherlands international forward Memphis Depay will not play for Atletico Madrid against Celtic. Samuel Lino has been on the sidelines since mid-October due to a knee injury. Thomas Lemar (Achilles) is a long-term absentee.
Celtic
Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in the world and are doing extremely well in the Scottish Premiership at the moment. The Hoops regularly win the title in Scotland and are expected to do so this time as well.
Brendan Rodger’s side are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 32 points from 12 matches. Celtic are eight points clear of second-placed and bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers, who have played 11 games.
Celtic, though, are struggling in the UEFA Champions League. The Bhoys are at the bottom of Group E with just a point from three matches. They are five points behind leaders Feyenoord.
Team News:
Celtic will be without Reo Hatate for the match. The midfielder has a hamstring injury and will not play again in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to bring Matt O’Riley back into the starting lineup. David Turnbull or Paulo Bernardo could replace Hatate in the team. Centre-half Stephen Welsh and winger Liel Abada will miss out.
Key Factors to Consider
- Atletico Madrid remain unbeaten in their seven European meetings with Celtic.
- Celtic have lost their last six UEFA Champions League away games against Spanish sides.
- Celtic have kept just one clean sheet in their last 34 UEFA Champions League games.
- Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has scored in his last two appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
- Celtic have had the fewest shots (25) and have the lowest expected goals total (2.27) so far in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Conclusion
Atletico Madrid have a better team than Celtic and will head into the UEFA Champions League game in Spain as favourites. Celtic, though, will not be easy pushovers, but Atletico are very likely to eke out a win in the end.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-0
Best Odds: 5/1
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