Atlético Madrid vs. RB Leipzig: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Atlético are looking pretty vintage so far this season having kept clean sheets in their last four games in a row. However, they've struggled away from home in the Champions League lately, winning just one of their last five on the road.

Leipzig have lost just three of their last nine Champions League games on home soil and two of those came against Manchester City and Real Madrid -both of whom they also beat in that period.

While Atlético are the superior outfit, Leipzig can be a tricky customer in the Champions League so courtesy of their home advantage we're backing the Bundesliga side to claim a valuable point. RB Leipzig 1-1 Atlético Madrid.

This Thursday’s Champions League lineup sees Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig lock horns in the Spanish capital.

• Date: 19/09/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid

Atlético Madrid come into this fixture sitting second in La Liga having collected 11 points from their opening five matches. It’s been a solid start to the season for Diego Simeone’s side who have looked strong at both ends of the pitch, a display that will please manager Simeone after a subpar campaign last time out. Now in his thirteenth year as Atléti manager, Simeone has built a team that is as combative as it is pragmatic, and the club hope his long-reigning success as manager will result in the team contending for the title once again.

In the summer, the squad saw a fair bit of turnover with several players leaving and new faces arriving. However, the core principles that have been drilled into this team over the years—organisation, resilience, and efficiency—remain ever-present. Simeone’s side are not unfamiliar with success in the Champions League, having reached two finals, a semi-final, and three quarter-finals under his leadership. Their European pedigree has been built on the back of consistently strong defensive displays and team cohesiveness.

Last season’s campaign ended at the quarter-final stage, where Atlético were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in a tie they'll feel like disappointed to have lost. Before that, they had impressed by eliminating many people's dark horses, Inter Milan, in the last 16. Despite falling short, their run was another reminder of their potential to go deep in this competition, and this season there will be renewed optimism in the Atlético camp that they can push even further, especially with the squad appearing to gel well early on.

In terms of individual performances, two names have stood out in particular: Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente. Griezmann, a player long admired for his creativity and goal-scoring ability, has registered two goals and two assists in the league so far. His ability to link play, find pockets of space, and finish chances will be crucial to unlocking defences, particularly against a well-drilled Leipzig side. Llorente, meanwhile, has been equally influential, contributing two goals and one assist. His dynamism and versatility make him a vital component of Atlético’s high-intensity style.

The summer signing of Connor Gallagher has also added a new dimension to Atlético’s midfield. The England international has adapted well to life in Madrid, with his energy and technical ability already making an impression, and his versatility allows Simeone the option to either deploy him in a more defensive role or push him further up the pitch to support the attack.

RB Leipzig will travel to Madrid with ambitions of their own. They currently sit third in the Bundesliga with seven points from their first three games. Under the guidance of Marco Rose, the German side have made a positive start to the campaign, and they will be looking to build on that as they aim to make a mark in the Champions League.

Despite being relatively new to this competition, Leipzig are no strangers to performing to their potential at the highest level of the European stage. Since their Champions League debut in 2017-18, the club’s most notable achievement came in the 2019-20 season when they reached the semi-finals, only to be beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain, a run that despite ending abruptly, really announced Leipzig on the European stage, and this season they will be hoping for another deep run in the tournament.

This summer brought some challenges for Leipzig in the form of key departures, most notably defenders Mohamed Simakan and attacking midfielder Dani Olmo. Both players had been important figures for the club, and their absence will be felt, particularly in the case of Olmo, who often served as the creative hub in Leipzig’s attack. However, Leipzig have done well to bolster their squad with some key additions.

Dutch youngster Xavi Simons remains with the team having secured another season-long loan with the club, and his presence is a source of X-factor in attack. The club also strengthened their defensive options by bringing in Lutsharel Geertruida, a highly regarded young defender who will be tasked with filling the void left by Simakan. Additionally, the signings of Arthur Vermeeren and Antonio Nusa have added depth and quality to a squad that still boasts plenty of talent, even after the summer departures.

Marco Rose has set up Leipzig in a way that suits their high-energy, pressing style; they are a side that can trouble any opponent with their intense approach and ability to transition quickly from defence to attack. Rose’s teams typically rely on quick, vertical football, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts his tactics against an Atlético side known for their defensive solidity and ability to control the tempo of matches.

This game will be televised live to all subscribed UK viewers on TNT Sports 4.

Atlético Madrid Team News:

Pablo Barrios is set to be the home side's only absentee here, with the midfielder nursing a minor muscle injury.

Julian Álvarez will be hoping to start up top after scoring off the bench at the weekend.

Predicted lineup: Oblak; Le Normand, Giménez, Azpilicueta; Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Gallagher; Álvarez.

RB Leipzig Team News:

Xaver Schlager and Assan Ouedraogo are both out through injury but Willi Orban could return to the starting XI after missing the game at the weekend with injury.

Predicted lineup: Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald; Kampl; Haidara, Xavi; Openda, Šeško.

Atlético's most recent game saw them produce a dominant performance to brush aside Valencia in a 3-0 win. Connor Gallagher opened his account for the club with a fine first tough and finish following an expertly threaded through ball from Rodrigo De Paul in the first half. Antoine Griezmann doubled the lead early in the first half before substitute Julian Álvarez put the cherry on the cake in stoppage time.

Prior to that win, Atlético recorded a 1-0 win away Athletic Bilbao, a 0-0 draw against Espanyol, a 3-0 win over Girona and a 2-2 draw with Villarreal.

RB Leipzig are entering this game off the back of a fairly disappointing result where they were held to a 0-0 draw by Union Berlin. Prior to that, though, they inflicted Bayer Leverkusen's first league defeat since the 2022-23 season with a 3-2 win away from home, where goals from Kevin Kample and Loïs Openda (X2) secured a huge win.

Before that, Leipzig beat Bochum 1-0 and beat Rot-Weiss Essen 4-1 in the DFB-Pokal.

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