An intriguing Champions League quarter-final in the Spanish capital on Wednesday pits two former finalists against one and other. Take a glance below to find Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund tips, predictions and Lucky Block’s match preview.
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Tips
- Under 2.5 Goals @ 103/100
- Atletico Madrid to Win 79/100
Combine both as a double on Lucky Block – a £10 stake would return £36
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Preview
With the Copa Del Rey final taking centre stage in Spain, Atletico Madrid should be slightly fresher than their opponents in midweek after enjoying a weekend off.
Of course, knowing Diego Simeone’s gruelling training regimes, there would have been little-to-no time off for his players, whose season ambitions lie firmly in a deep run in the Champions League.
Atleti will be brimming with confidence in Europe having toppled last year’s finalists Inter Milan – who were thought to be among the strongest contenders for this season – in a rollercoaster last-16 penalty shootout.
As for their quarter-final opponents Borussia Dortmund, they feature at this stage for the first time since 2021, in the hope of qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time since their runner-up year in 2013.
Dortmund’s preparation appeared to be going strong, sweeping aside Bayern away in Munich for the first time in over a decade to make it five wins in a row. Their hopes of a top four finish in the Bundesliga took a major dent against high-flying Stuttgart last time out, however.
The Champions League represents a fresh slate to project their season ambitions, but our tips below go into detail as to why a result for Dortmund on Wednesday could prove a tall order.
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Predictions and Betting Tips
Under 2.5 Goals
Ignoring the flurry of goals witnessed in Tuesday evening’s double-billing, just 30% of post-away goal abolition knockout ties have seen three goals or more.
Neither Dortmund nor Atleti are frequent high-scorers, with the former netting two goals or less in nine of their previous 11 games, while the latter have achieved that feat just once in the past 16 games.
Unlike previous Dortmund sides, this one has shown a tendency to bide their time in Europe this season, rather than to try and race into a lead. They picked up impressive wins on the road in Newcastle and Milan, utilising quick incisive counter attacks while enjoying less of the possession.
They likely won’t have those same opportunities against an Atletico side who – by and large – play in a similarly conservative fashion.
We expect this tie to be won and lost by a narrow margin.
Atletico Madrid to Win
The preference is for Atelti, who have consistently shown themselves to be one of the hardest opponents to beat at home in Europe under Diego Simeone.
In 16 home knockout fixtures in the Champions League, Atleti have won 10, drawn six and lost none – all the while keeping clean sheets in all but four.
This of course does not bode well for Dortmund, who may be forced to rely on the return leg in Germany to salvage this tie.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Diego Simeone is sweating over the fitness of Mario Hermoso, who has been absent in the last two games
Memphis Depay – who sat out training this week – will also miss the tie along with long-term absentee Thomas Lemar.
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI: Oblak; Lino, Azpilicueta, GimEnez, Witsel, Molina; De Paul, Koke, Marcos Llorente; Morata, Griezmann
Borussia Dortmund Team News
The major concern for the visitors is Donyell Malen, who is still struggling with a hip problem.
However, they will be boosted by the return of Nico Schlotterbeck who missed the last-16 tie with PSV through suspension.
Borussia Dortmund Predicted XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Emre Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Odds
- Atletico Madrid 79/100
- Draw 11/4
- Borussia Dortmund 33/10
