Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Champions League – Group D
Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid).
Preview Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Atletico Madrid's four-game winless run - including three league games - has seen the Rojiblancos slip out of the top four and into seventh place in the La Liga table.
Diego Simeone's defensively-organised side have lost just two league encounters this term, but their eight draws see them eight points behind title-chasing pair Barcelona and Real Madrid despite having played a game extra.
Atletico boast - as usual - the best defence in La Liga, with just 10 goals conceded from 16 games. Concerningly, however, at the other end, they have the lowest tally of any side above 14th in the table, recording just one strike per game on average.
While Atletico's struggles in front of goal have followed them into Europe - with just six goals in five games - their defensive solidity has not, conceding a goal per game on average in the group so far and recording just two clean sheets in the process.
The Spanish side's European campaign had initially been going well, with two wins and a draw putting them in a comfortable position. However, back-to-back losses against Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus handed the former a lifeline and the latter qualification, meaning Wednesday's encounter now carries greater significance than it otherwise would have.
Simeone's side must at least match Leverkusen's result against Juventus, who have nothing left to play for as confirmed winners of the group and may play a rotated team, meaning a win at home over the side bottom of the group could well be necessary.
Lokomotiv also have something to play for, despite being unable to make the knockout stages of the Champions League. Should they beat Atletico, a Leverkusen loss could see the Russian side finish third in the group and make the knockout stages of the Europa League.
A 2-1 victory over the Bundesliga side remains their only points in the group so far, though, with four straight losses since then leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.
Additionally, they have lost their last three league games in the build-up to this fixture and are in woeful form, making the chances of an unlikely victory even more remote.
TEAM NEWS
ATLETICO MADRID
Atletico's poor run of form continued on Friday as they could only manage a goalless draw at Villarreal and confidence is low right now.
Boss Diego Simeone's options are relatively limited due to injury for this game but he does welcome Correa back into the fold after a ban.
Gimenez has an outside chance of returning but Simeone's problems are in attack as the goals have dried up and Morata needs to find form.
Predicted line-up (4-4-2-2): Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Hermoso, Renan Lodi; Koke, Saul, Partey, Correa; Joao Felix; Alvaro Morata
Unavailable: Borja Garces (Injured), Savic (Injured), Vrsaljko (Injured), Diego Costa (Injured), Vitolo (Injured)
Doubtful: Gimenez (Injured)
LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW
Lokomotiv's preparations for this game have been woeful as they have lost their last three games and come off a 4-0 beating at Arsenal Tula.
Head coach Yuri Semin has several injury concerns while he will also have to replace Barinov who is suspended for this tough trip to Madrid.
Zhemaletdinov, Anton Miranchuk and Guilherme are all injury concerns as Semin will make some late decisions on his starting eleven.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Guilherme; Ignatyev, Howedes, Corluka, Rybus; Murilo, Krychowiak; Zhemaletdinov, Aleksey Miranchuk, Tugarev; Eder
Unavailable: Farfan (Ineligible), Joao Mario (Injured), Djordjevic (Injured), Barinov (Suspended)
Doubtful: Zhemaletdinov (Injured), Anton Miranchuk (Injured), Guilherme (Injured)
Prediction
Atletico Madrid still have work to do to qualify for the next round. They will go through if they beat Lokomotiv Moscow or if Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat Juventus.
Lokomotiv Moscow have nothing to play for as they are guaranteed to finish fourth. They have lost three in a row and were thumped 4-0 at Arsenal Tula on Friday.
Atletico aren't in great shape themselves. They have failed to score in their last three and have only won one of their last eight matches. This has all the hallmarks of a 1-0 home win or 0-0 draw
Prediction:Atletico Madrid 1 0 Lokomotiv Moscow
Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow: Betting tips
First Half/Second Half: Atletico/Atletico @ 1.68.
Asian Handicap -1.5 @ 1.72.
