UCL preview: RB Salzburg vs Atletico Madrid, key stats, line-ups, odds, prediction

Atletico and Salzburg will lock horns in an exciting Champions League battle as the winner advances to the next round

Stadium: Red Bull Arena Salzburg

Key Statistics

Atletico edged out Salzburg in the reverse fixture with the scoreline 3-2
A win or a draw would put Atletico into the round of 16 whereas, for Salzburg, a win is mandatory.
Diego Simone has led Atletico seven times to the knockouts stages, with the only exception being the 207/18 season.

RB Salzburg

Salzburg’s only win in the Champions League so far has come against Lokomotiv Moscow and the Austrians would be happy enough to know their fate on the final matchday of the group stage.

Speaking about their domestic form, Salzburg are currently trailing LASK at the second position in the Austrian Bundesliga table and they also lost their weekend fixture against Flyeralarm Admira.

The Austrian outfit has played some good football throughout the Champions League this season and often caused troubles to the likes of Bayern Munich and Atletico despite ending up on the losing sides.

Dominik Szoboszlai will be the player on the spotlight as the Hungarian youngster has a greater chance of lifting his side through to the next round.

Next Game is vs Atletico and its do or die. We have to give it our if we want to qualify for round of 16. pic.twitter.com/i4dHPlsDi2
— Salzburg???????????????? (@ENSalzburg) December 5, 2020

Possible line-up

Stankovic; Kristensen, Ramalho, Wober; Ulmer; Mwepu, Camara, Junuzovic, Szoboszlai; Koita, Berisha

Atletico Madrid

The current leaders of La Liga have endured a fluctuating campaign in the Champions League, suffering two draws and a defeat.

Although they are deemed the favourites, they would be still worried about the fact their round of 16 hopes would be decided only on the final matchday.

Diego Simeone’s side have been leaving all the teams in La Liga behind them as they are yet to face a defeat.

Furthermore, Atletico are coming off a comprehensive win against Real Valladolid, where Thomas Lemar and Marcos Llorente found the scoresheet.

Joao Felix has been in incredible form this season and he has already produced masterclass performances against Salzburg(reverse fixture) and Bayern Munich. Luis Suarez has fared well in his debut season with Los Rojiblancos, combining well with Felix.

A win or a draw would do the things for Simeone but the Argentine manager will be careful of avoiding any unnecessary slip-up.