With their backs to the wall, will the Werkself finally strike?

What’s wrong with Bayer Leverkusen? Like a patient for whom even the best medication doesn’t work, Leverkusen are struggling through the season without success. Having started with the best of prospects, the relegation zone in the league is just the current league table. In the Champions League, too, they already have their backs to the wall after a 0:1 loss to Bruges, probably the weakest opponent in the group. Will they be able to break free against Atletico? There is little to be said for it. If you bet on the home side in Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid, you are betting on the underdogs.

Last time out, the Bayer team earned a point at Hertha BSC Berlin, a team that, in terms of its squad, can only be classified in the lower midfield of the league. At least coach Seoane’s team managed to come back from a goal down to earn a point. The will is clearly visible in the Rhinelanders, but they lack the self-confidence and self-image to pull the cart out of the mud. Now Atletico is coming to the BayArena, a team that is in a strong mood. Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid provides excellent odds for a home win, as last year’s Bundesliga third-placed team enters a match as clear underdogs for the first time in a long time.

And if there is one chest that is extremely broad in the football world at the moment, it is that of the visitors from the Spanish capital. On the first Champions League matchday, FC Porto were defeated by an epic 2-1 in injury time, and then they dispatched the strong-starting Celta Vigo 4-1 in the league. Atletico are in extremely good form, especially mentally, and will naturally want to win again in Leverkusen. Kick-off at the BayArena in Leverkusen is on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.

Leverkusen – Statistics & current form

The former Champions League finalists from the Rhineland are on an intense search for themselves right now. Having started the season with a top squad and as a possible Bayern chaser, they now find themselves in penultimate place in the first Bundesliga table. From Leverkusen’s point of view, this all seems inconceivable, but it is the harsh reality. In almost all games of the season, too many chances were missed and some goals were caused by individual mistakes.

Seoane’s jacket hangs on shaky nail

Swiss coach Gerardo Seoane is also under fire – a law of the trade. Last year, the former coach of Young Boys Bern led Leverkusen to third place, but now he looks battered and more nervous than ever in his public appearances. Can he really lead the team out of the crisis? From a neutral point of view, one would like to see a Bundesliga team stick to its head coach during a crisis. But to strengthen Seonane’s position, points are needed in Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid. The odds that Leverkusen will not lose are actually quite respectable.

After all, the Rhinelanders have not lost recently. After Bayer 04 had led 1:0 in the meantime, a goal by noble striker Schick in the 79th minute averted defeat. In terms of quality, the Werkself should actually beat a team like Berlin. Perhaps the underdog status will help them to clear their heads on Tuesday.

After all, Seoane’s men have never been such blatant underdogs this season as they were in Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid. A prediction on the Werkself is nevertheless very daring. Despite the return to the tried and tested 4-2-3-1, any stability was also lacking in Berlin. Above all, the Bayer eleven’s defence is a constant source of concern. And this could be exploited ice-cold by the Madrid noble technicians.

Overall, Leverkusen have only won four of their last 20 Champions League games. In addition, there have been eight draws and eight defeats. On Tuesday, it will also depend on Patrick Schick, who has recently been blessed with goals again in the Bundesliga. The European Championship top scorer has yet to score in his 15 appearances in the top flight. With a total of 27 shots without a goal, he is in second place in this less glorious category. Only Marcos Alonso, with 37 shots, has shot more often without scoring. At some point, this streak has to break and playing the betting odds on a goal at Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid could be worthwhile.

Predicted Leverkusen line-up:
Hradecky – Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie – Palacios, Demirbay, Diaby, Hlozek, Hudson-Odoi – Schick

Last matches played by Leverkusen:

Bundesliga
10/09/2022 – Hertha BSC 2 – 2 Bayer Leverkusen

Champions League Grp. B
08/09/2022 – Club Brugge 1 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga
03/09/2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 3 SC Freiburg

27/08/2022 – Mainz 05 0 – 3 Bayer Leverkusen

20/08/2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 0 – 3 Hoffenheim

Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form

It is one day before Christmas 2011, when the history of the football club Atletico Madrid should change forever. Diego Simeone, the former general on the field, takes over as the second power in the national capital. And today – after a period of “cojones”, various feuds but above all excellent football – Atletico is two championship titles richer. Simeone also won the Europa League twice and was even voted world club coach of the year. He has also made a good start to this season with his men.

Incredible win in own stadium

Can opener for Atletico was the first Champions League matchday, when they won 2-1(!) against Porto after a 0-0 score after regular time. The decisive goal was scored by Griezmann, who was actually on the bench most of the time due to transfer modalities. The jubilant scenes after his goal were probably an understatement. Now it’s against Leverkusen, which is probably the easier task compared to the Portuguese.

Betting on the visitors in the Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid match would be a good option due to the visitors’ form. The odds are also quite respectable for an away win. By the way, Atletico have only won once in Leverkusen in their club history, plus one draw and two defeats. With Joao Felix, Koke and Correa, Atletico have pure world class in their squad. Former Dortmund player Axel Witsel is also getting some time on the pitch and doing a solid job.
By the way, five of the last ten Atletico Champions League goals were scored after the 90th minute. That is not only the current top value, but also a sign of the mental strength of the guests. The Spaniards are always a force to be reckoned with.

Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Grbic – Molina, Witsel, Hermoso, Reinildo, Carrasco – de Paul, Kondogbia, Lemar – A. Correa, Morata

Last matches played by Atletico Madrid:

La Liga
11/09/2022 – Atletico Madrid 4 – 1 Celta Vigo

Champions League Grp. B
08/09/2022 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 1 FC Porto

La Liga
03/09/2022 – Real Sociedad 1 – 1 Atletico Madrid

30/08/2022 – Valencia 0 – 1 Atletico Madrid

22/08/2022 – Atletico Madrid 0 – 2 FC Villarreal

Leverkusen – Atletico Madrid Direct comparison / H2H-balance

Two wins from eight games, plus three draws and three defeats. That is the record in the direct comparison from Leverkusen’s point of view. The Rhinelanders even won their last home match against the men from Madrid – 2-1 in November 2019. Today, however, completely different teams are facing each other, so that little can be drawn from the past for Tuesday’s match.

In the 14/15 and 16/17 seasons, Leverkusen flew out in the knockout phase against Atletico. Seven years ago they failed on penalties, and five years ago cumulatively 2-4.

Leverkusen – Atletico Madrid Tip

The struggling Bundesliga side welcome Diego Simeone’s up-and-coming men. While the chest is noticeably cold in the Rhineland, the Spaniards are currently in a good mood. Nevertheless, Leverkusen have quality and at some point the knot has to burst for the Bayer team! But it’s hard to bet on a home win because of the lack of form. We also don’t think an away triumph is likely enough in relation to the odds. We will go with the goals in our tip.

Leverkusen are often shaky at the back at the moment and the Atletico defence has also been good for conceding goals time and again recently. Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid is as painted for a prediction on a few goals, as the odds also look lucrative. We assume that the Werkself, as the underdog, will be a little more liberated and will be better able to unleash their own offensive creativity. The Spanish team is already well-stocked in the front line. We therefore place our bets on more than 2.5 goals.