In what already looks like a pivotal clash in Group B at the Club World Cup, Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid square off at Lumen Field on Thursday night.
Having both come away empty-handed from their opening games of the tournament, neither team can afford another fruitless outing on matchday two.
Seattle Sounders were unable to make home advantage count in their opening Group B game, being edged out 2-1 by Botafogo, bringing up a couple of bets for Kevin Mac in the process.
Given that they will conclude their group stage campaign against PSG, Brain Schmetzer’s side are already staring down the barrel of an early exit.
As for Atletico Madrid, they made a disastrous start to their Club World Cup campaign, being put to the sword 4-0 by newly-crowned European champions PSG.
Atleti boss Diego Simeone will be demanding a response from his side on Thursday night and he will want to see a much-improved performance at the back.
How the bookies view it: Atletico Madrid to get off the mark
The bookmakers fully expect Atletico Madrid to bounce back from their aforementioned 4-0 loss to PSG, with the Spanish giants short-priced 2/7 favourites on Boylesports. Given that Simeone will be seeking a much more solid defensive showing from his side on Thursday night, backing Atleti to win alongside Under 3.5 Goals will bring about a value 11/10 shot on Boylesports.
Seattle Sounders are big outsiders here at 8/1 on Boylesports, while a share of the Lumen Field spoils is also considered unlikely at 4/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: History book blank
Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid will square off for the first time ever on Thursday night. This is Atleti's first-ever appearance at the Club World Cup, while the Sounders previously graced this stage back in 2022.
Players to watch: More joy for Julian?
Julian Alvarez enjoyed a brilliant debut season at Atletico Madrid, hitting 29 goals across his 55 appearances in all competitions. With that in mind, the Argentine ace stands out for an anytime strike on Thursday night at 5/6 on Boylesports.
Seattle Sounders’ Ryan Kent is the archetypal tricky winger with a low centre of gravity and quick feet. The former Liverpool and Rangers man is as big as 7/1 with Boylesports to get on the scoresheet here.
Predicted line-ups
Atletico Madrid boss Simeone will be forced to make at least one change on Thursday night after Clement Lenglet picked up the first red card of the Club World Cup last time out. That could see Jose Maria Gimenez recalled to the starting XI on matchday two.
Seattle Sounders have a long injury list which includes Jordan Morris, Kee-Hee Kim, Paul Arriola, Stuart Hawkins and Yeimar Gomez.
Seattle Sounders: Frei; A. Roldan, Ragen, Bell, Tolo; Vargas, C. Roldan; De la Vega, Rusnak, Kent; Ferreira
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that Atletico Madrid are a side that are often happy to sacrifice flair for success, Seattle Sounders look overpriced to earn four or more corners on Thursday night at 6/4 on Bet 365.
The Sounders have been among the most prolific corner takers in MLS this season, earning an average of 5.78 per game.
It’s also worth noting that Schmetzer’s side won the flag kick count 4-0 when losing to Botafogo on matchday one.
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