ATLETICO MADRID still have work to do to try and reach the top eight in the Champions League. They start Match Day 6 one point outside their target but have hit some form, winning their last two. Can they continue their charge as they face Slovan Bratislava at the Metropolitano on Wednesday, December 11th?
How the bookies view it: Atleti clear favourites
Atlético Madrid are 1/14 odds-on favourites to claim the home win in this Champions League fixture, which should push them closer to the top eight. With Slovan Bratislava being one of the big outsiders in this season's competition, they are 20/1 underdogs for a win.
Recent head-to-head: First meeting between clubs
This will not only be Atletico's first game against Slovan Bratislava but also their first ever against a team from Slovakia. Slovan Bratislava have faced Spanish opposition before, but they are winless in their last seven against Spanish teams (D2 L5). They are currently on a three-match losing streak against opposition from the country.
Players to watch: Alvarez to lead from the front?
Atlético Madrid's Julian Alvarez netted a brace on Match Day 4 against Sparta Prague. The former Man City man has a great record in the competition, with 15 goals in 22 Champions League appearances (11 goals, 4 assists) so he is one to watch out for in the goalscorer markets.
Another to keep an eye on is Angel Correa, who has scored in back-to-back Champions League fixtures now, tallying three goals, all from the substitutes bench. It will be worth keeping an eye on him with live in-play betting options if he comes on.
Predicted Lineups
Atleti rotate their squad a fair bit and are pretty much at full strength apart from the absence of Thomas Lemar. Slovan Bratislava are also in good shape, but miss Marko Tolic who was sent off in their last match against AC Milan.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Sorloth, Alvarez
Slovan Bratislava: Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Voet; Blackman, Kucka, Savvidis, Medvedev; Barseghyan, Strelec, Metsoko
Anything else catches the eye?
Only two teams have scored more Champions League goals since the start of last season than Atletico Madrid have. Of all the teams that have produced at least 100 shots during that spell, Atletico have the best conversion rate of almost 17%.
So they tend to take their chances when they come and this is a very winnable home match for them. In the last round, they thumped Sparta Prague 5-0, leaving them with an average of more than two goals per game this season. The Spaniards will start the game 1 point outside of the top eight and look for their third win on the spin. In all competitions, they are on a six-match winning streak and are in fine form at the moment.
It's not been quite so great for their opponents, who lost a Slovakian league match on the weekend. Slovan Bratislava are in their debut Champions League campaign and it's been tough for them, having lost all five played, tallying only four goals and conceding 18. They have been behind for 66% of their total time out on the pitch in this UCL campaign, and only Red Star Belgrade have been behind for more minutes in total than they have been.
This UEFA Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava will be played on Dec 11, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Atletico Madrid vs Slovan Bratislava prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
