Comments and predictions for Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig: The home team is too strong

Diego Simeone will begin his 12th Champions League campaign in charge of Atletico Madrid when they host RB Leipzig in Madrid on Thursday.

It has been an excellent start for both teams in their domestic leagues, with both managers strongly backed by their clubs in the summer transfer window.

Latest Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig squad information

Atletico's squad was refreshed over the summer, with the additions of two 24-year-olds, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher, both from the Premier League.

This has brought down the average age of the squad, which had an average age of 31 in the second leg of last season's quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund - the oldest team in the competition.

Both Gallagher and Alvarez scored last weekend, with Alvarez netting from the bench, but the Argentine World Cup winner is expected to start this game, potentially replacing Alexander Sorloth.

In terms of injuries, Pablo Barrios (muscle) and full-back Reinildo (foot) are the only two current absentees for the home side.

Leipzig are also missing two players for the trip to Madrid, with Xaver Schlager recovering from an ACL injury, and Assan Ouedraogo suffering a minor knee injury and set to miss several weeks.

Captain Willi Orban has been serving a domestic suspension after receiving a straight red card in the match against Bochum, but he is expected to return to the squad for this match.

Orban could partner new signing Lutsharel Geertruida, who joined from Feyenoord at the end of the transfer window and made his debut over the weekend, while Arthur Vermeeren could face his parent club after joining on loan from Atletico in the summer.

Latest expected lineup Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig

Atletico Madrid:

Oblak; Le Normand, Gimenez, Azpilicueta; Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann

RB Leipzig:

Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba; Henrichs, Haidara, Kampl, Raum; Sesko, Simons, Openda

Latest football commentary Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig

Despite some speculation that Simeone could leave Atletico recently, the board have shown their ambition with several big-money signings this summer, and that has translated into points on the pitch.

Atletico are currently in the top four with 11 points from their first five games, having overcome a difficult start without defeat, having faced Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Girona.

The hosts also carry their excellent continental home form into this game, as they were the only club in last season's Champions League to maintain a 100% home record - five wins from five.

Facing another German side also offers the chance to extend their impressive home record against teams from that country, as they have yet to lose this century in games involving Bundesliga clubs - winning eight and drawing four - and a clash with Bayer Leverkusen also awaits in the return leg of the tournament.

Atletico will be hoping that the new format of the tournament can bring them better fortunes, as they have suffered a series of setbacks recently, as they have not progressed beyond the quarter-finals since a magical run of results from 2014 to 2017, when they reached two finals and one semi-final.

Upcoming opponents RB Leipzig inflicted one of those defeats on the Colchoneros, beating Atleti 2-1 in a COVID-era 2020 one-legged quarter-final played in neutral Lisbon.

That remains Leipzig's best run in the competition, as their other five appearances have all ended in the group stage or round of 16.

Marco Rose will face a tough test in this new stage of the tournament, as they face Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan for the first time, while also hosting Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena.

Also coming up are Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon and Aston Villa, who are pushing for a top four finish in the Premier League.

Leipzig will believe they can stand tall, having made an unbeaten start to the season, including a heroic comeback win over Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first club to beat the German champions at home in almost 18 months.

The international break came at an inopportune time, with Leipzig struggling to maintain the momentum from their 3-2 win coming back from 2-0 down at the BayArena, as they drew 0-0 at home to Union Berlin on their return to action over the weekend.

RB dropped to third place as a result, but after winning their first two games and progressing to the next round of the DFB-Pokal, it was a satisfying start for coach Rose. Atletico have not lost at home to German sides in the 21st century, and head into this game high on confidence after another big win over Valencia last weekend.

Both teams are strong in attack, with Antoine Griezmann and Alvarez up against Xavi Simons, Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko, but home advantage and Simeone's influence could give Atletico the edge.

Score prediction Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the match Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig :

• Sportsmole: Atletico Madrid 3-1 RB Leipzig

• WhoScore: Atletico Madrid 1-0 RB Leipzig
• Our prediction: Atletico Madrid vs 2-0 RB Leipzig

When and where to watch Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig live?

To watch live the match Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig in the Champions League taking place at 2:00 a.m. on September 20, viewers can watch on K+ Sport, K+PM or online sports channels. Wish you all have fun watching football.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dinh-du-doan-atletico-madrid-vs-rb-leipzig-chu-nha-qua-manh-229604.html