Tottenham Hotspur will host Atletico Madrid in a crucial UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash on Wednesday, March 18, with kick-off set for 11:00 PM (EAT) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs face an uphill task heading into this encounter after suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat in the first leg in Spain, leaving the North London side needing a remarkable comeback to reach the quarter-finals.
Tottenham come into this match with renewed confidence after ending a six-game losing streak across all competitions with a hard-fought draw against Liverpool FC at Anfield. Richarlison struck late to rescue a point, in what was a much-improved performance under interim boss Igor Tudor.
Despite their domestic struggles and ongoing relegation battle, Spurs will now shift full focus to Europe, where they must produce something special to overturn a three-goal deficit. While it appears a daunting task on paper, the unpredictability of football offers a glimmer of hope for the home side.
However, history is not entirely on their side, with Tottenham winning just three of their last 16 UEFA matches against Spanish opposition. Their defensive issues and inconsistency have also been a concern throughout the campaign.
For Atletico Madrid, the situation is far more comfortable. Diego Simeone’s side are in a commanding position and will look to manage the game professionally. They head into the clash on the back of a 1-0 win over Getafe, further boosting their confidence.
Atletico have been consistent in the Champions League knockout stages, progressing from seven of their last 11 round-of-16 ties. Their ability to score early in matches could prove decisive, especially with Spurs needing goals.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid team news
Tottenham continue to be hit by a lengthy injury list. Richarlison is suspended, while Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and others remain sidelined.
There is, however, a boost with Micky van de Ven returning from suspension. Several players, including Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Atletico Madrid will be without goalkeeper Jan Oblak due to injury, meaning Juan Musso is expected to start. Rodrigo Mendoza remains unavailable, while Pablo Barrios is a doubt.
Antoine Griezmann is expected to lead the attack alongside Julian Alvarez.
Possible Starting Lineups
- Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Sarr; Tel, Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke
- Atletico Madrid: Musso; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez
Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid head to head record and current form
Atletico Madrid hold a commanding advantage after their 5-2 win in the first leg. Historically, the Spanish side have also enjoyed success against English teams in European knockout ties, winning the majority of such encounters.
Tottenham will need to deliver one of the biggest comebacks in their European history to overturn the deficit.
Form Guide
- Tottenham Hotspur (Champions League): W L W W W L
- Tottenham Hotspur (All Competitions): L L L L L D
- Atletico Madrid (Champions League): W D L D W W
- Atletico Madrid (All Competitions): W W L W W W
Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Tottenham showed signs of improvement in their last outing and could pose a threat going forward, especially at home. However, the damage done in the first leg leaves them with too much to recover. Atletico Madrid’s experience and advantage should see them through comfortably.