Here’s our Atletico Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of this week’s massive Champions League clash.
Atletico Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid saw their incredible 15-game winning run ended by Leganes at the weekend.
The 1-0 defeat was their first since October, marking the end of a club-record win streak. It also meant they dropped to second in La Liga, behind rivals Real Madrid.
Europe hasn’t been quite such a happy hunting ground, though. With 12 points from six games, Atletico sit 11th in the table.
But a win this week could shoot them up the standings and into the automatic qualification places for the last-16.
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, have one more point than Atletico in this year’s new-look Champions League.
Xabi ALonso’s side are fourth in the table, but with three points separating Arsenal in third and Club Brugge in 19th, there is so much that could quickly change.
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen won 3-1 against Borussia Monchengladbach last time out.
The German Champions have won 12 in a row in all competitions, and sit second in the Bundesliga, four points below leaders Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen haven’t made the Champions League knockout stages since 2016/17, but look good to progress this season.
Leverkusen. pic.twitter.com/ywOfVAoGwg
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 18, 2025
Atletico Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Jose Gimenez is out for Atletico with a muscle problem. He could be joined by striker Alexander Sorloth, who is still a doubt.
Marcos Llorente is expected to come in at right-back, relegationg Nahuel Molina to the bench.
Former Chelsea man Conor Gallagher should keep his place, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez starting up top.
Leverkusen are without all of Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian, Victor Boniface and Amine Adli.
Key man Florian Wirtz has been in great form again this season, with 23 goal contributions in 28 total appearances.
He will be vital for Xabi Alonso’s men and they will be glad he is fully fit and firing.
Patrik Schick will hope to add to his 16 goals this term with another strong performance – though he only has one in the Champions League so far.
Atletico Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Palacios, Xhaka; Frimpong, Wirtz, Grimaldo; Schick
Atletico Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
With both sides in superb form, it’s near impossible to split them. Atletico’s home record might see them edge it, but if any side can take points off them, it’s Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
We hope this one lives up to the billing, but could also see the two sides cancelling each other out for a cagey draw.
At present, the best football betting sites have Atletico as 6/4 favourites, with Leverkusen at 2/1.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
