MX23RW : Monday, December 23 15:53:26| >> :120:59930:59930:
[monks data]
Atletico Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Olympiacos

4-0

Garcia (9'), Mandzukic (38', 62', 65')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Olympiacos

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Champions League group fixture between last season's finalists Atletico Madrid and Olympiacos.

When Olympiacos visit the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday evening, the equation for hosts Atletico Madrid is simple: Win and they will have secured their place in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

After their 3-2 loss to the Greeks in Athens on matchday one, Diego Simeone's Atletico have won three group matches on the bounce and have not conceded a goal in the process.

Indeed, their home form in UEFA competitions is positive, having won 19 of their last 21 outings in front of their own supporters.

As far as team selection is concerned, Simeone has a major worry over centre-back Miranda, who injured his hamstring while on international duty with Brazil. Should the 30-year-old fail to recover, Jose Gimenez is expected to deputise.

There is also plenty of significance riding on this encounter for the away side. They currently sit in second spot, level on points with Italian champions Juventus. A win against Atletico would not guarantee their passage into the last 16, but with minnows Malmo to come on matchday six, it would boost their chances.

Head coach Michel, who spent most of his playing career with Real Madrid, has a near fully fit squad to select from, although winger Jimmy Durmaz has been struggling of late with a hamstring complaint.

These two sides met in Madrid back in 1993, with the home side running out 3-1 winners to seal a 4-2 aggregate Cup Winners' Cup victory.

Atletico:

Form in Champions League: WLLWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Ansaldi; Garcia, Gabi; Koke, Turan, Griezmann; Mandzukic

Olympiacos:

Form in Champions League: WLWLWL
Form in all competitions: WWDDLW

Possible starting lineup: Jimenez; Elabdellaoui, Abidal, Botia, Masuaku; Afellay, Ndinga, Maniatis, Milivojevic; Dominguez; Mitroglou

Sports Mole says: 1-0


ID:189906: cacheID:189906:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4135:
Written by
Liam Apicella
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Champions League quarter final match against Barcelona on April 9, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Atletico vs. Malaga
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!