Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Lazio

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With top spot in Group E hanging in the balance on Wednesday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome Lazio to the Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have opened December with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona, the Spanish heavyweights have certainly proven that performance was nothing more than a minor blip. Only continuing to shine since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Diego Simeone’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they secured a 2-1 victory against Almeria, Los Colchoneros have even been tipped as a potential European dark horse this season. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Atletico have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to November 3rd. Opening their group stage finale holding a one-point buffer at the top of the Group E standings, Simeone’s men will be desperate to finish off the job on Wednesday night.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term Achilles tendon injury and not making a single appearance since the middle of September, Atletico Madrid will once again be without ex-Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar on Wednesday night. The Frenchman will be joined on the sidelines by one-time Sevilla star Vitolo.

While Dutch ace Memphis Depay might have returned from his own respective injury issue last month, it will be the duo of Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann that spearhead Simeone’s charge in midweek.

Lazio

As for the visitors, while Lazio might have shocked many across Italy’s elite last season as they clinched a silver medal finish, it is fair to say that the Eagles have failed to find a similar level this time around. Facing a major uphill battle in their bid to punch another top-four finish in 2024, Maurizio Sarri’s side will be desperate to spring a heavyweight upset when they travel to Madrid on Wednesday night. Although the one-time Chelsea boss might have seen his squad struggle with their domestic stability, they have already breezed their way to the Champions League knockout stage with plenty of time to spare. Last seen in European action clinching a 2-0 victory at home against Scottish icons Celtic, Sarri will now be hoping for his squad to find some crucial stability on the road. It should be noted, Lazio have collected just a single point from their previous four away fixtures across all competitions.

Team News

Dealing with an extended calf injury and missing each of Lazio’s last five appearances across all competitions, Sarri will once again be unable to call upon 28-year-old defender Alessio Romangnoli on Wednesday night. Likewise, the Eagles are still sweating over the fitness of one-time Barcelona starlet Patric.

Notching three Champions League strikes in his five European appearances this season, attacking talisman Ciro Immobile will lead Sarri’s charge in the Spanish capital here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Atletico Madrid and Lazio met for their reverse Group E showdown on September 19th, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Rome.
• However, the Eagles have collected just a single point from their previous four appearances away from the Stadio Olimpico across all formats.
• Atletico Madrid have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• The Spanish heavyweights have also notched 15 Champions League strikes in their five European showdowns this season.
• Simeone’s side have remarkably won all of their first 10 home fixtures across all competitions since opening up the 2023/24 campaign.

Conclusion

Knowing that a single point will be enough in their bid to warp up top spot in Group E, Atletico Madrid will be looking to make another Champions League statement here. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their continued success on home soil and winning each of their first 10 straight showdowns in the Spanish capital, Simeone’s men will be looking to cash in on a Lazio squad that have certainly shown some recent issues on the road. In what could prove to be another action-packed affair on Wednesday night, we are expecting a home victory at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 11/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet