Atletico Madrid are hoping to make use of their home advantage and get a positive result against Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.
Atletico and Arsenal have won played more European games than any other club without winning the elusive trophies. Now there is all to play for with a place in the final on the line.
Atleti beat Spanish rivals Barcelona 3-2 over two legs in the quarters to book a spot in the semis, while Arsenal battled to a 1-0 aggregate victory over Sporting Lisbon to secure a place in the last four.
Before their 2-1 defeat to Barca in the quarters, Atletico were unbeaten in their last 21 Champions League knockout matches. Diego Simeone’s side are confident they can get a positive first leg result on Wednesday night.
Arsenal breezed through the competition by becoming the first team to ever complete the league phase with a 100% win record.
Which of these sides will make their mark and take an advantage into the second leg? We have a look at both teams ahead of the encounter and offer our predicted outcome.
What time does Atletico vs Arsenal start?
The game kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico vs Arsenal team news
Pablo Barrios was withdrawn early at the weekend but is expected to start here, with Koke and Ademola Lookman also part of the starting XI.
Despite Alexander Sorloth’s goal involvements in the competition, he may have to settle for a place on the bench. Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann will lead the attacking line for the hosts.
The rest of the side will remain unchanged from the quarterfinal second leg against Barcelona.
For the visitors, Viktor Gyokeres will start up front supported on the flanks by Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
Declan Rice has been quiet in recent weeks but will retain his role in the middle of the pack, alongside Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard.
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Atletico vs Arsenal head-to-head and current form
Atleti are on a poor run of form that has seen them win just once in their last five matches, a 3-2 win against Bilbao over the weekend.
They take on an Arsenal side who have also experienced recent hardships with two wins in their last five matches, identical 1-0 wins against Sporting and Newcastle at the weekend.
Arsenal were emphatic 4-0 winners against Atletico last October in the league phase, a second win in the last five head-to-head matches against the Spanish outfit. The home team have also beaten Arsenal twice in that run, with one resulting in a draw.
Current form:
Atletico – WLDLL
Arsenal – WLDLW
Atletico vs Arsenal previous games
Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal prediction
We can expect a cagey encounter but with the potent attack both teams possess, goals may be the best bet for this first leg encounter.
Atletico’s home form has not been convincing in the recent past, they will need to be on top of their game to avoid defeat here.
Prediction – Both teams to score
