We are finally to the quarterfinals of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League, and RB Leipzig is set to face Atletico Madrid on Thursday. In most years, the quarterfinals and semifinals consist of two legs, but this year, the final eight will take place in Lisbon, with single-leg ties all the way to the final. Atletico Madrid lost two players to positive tests for COVID-19, but fortunately the rest of the team tested negative. Atletico made it to the quarters by knocking off Liverpool 4-2 over two matches. RB Leipzig beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 aggregate in their round of 16 tie, but Leipzig had Timo Werner then, and after his transfer, the offense has not been productive.
Don’t miss our soccer betting preview of this Champions League matchup.
Soccer Game:
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid
Game Details
When: Thursday, August 13, 2020, 3:00 pm ET
Where: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
TV: TUDN USA / UniMas
Radio: None
Live Stream: fuboTV
Soccer Betting Odds
RB Leipzig +214 | Check the Odds
Draw +210 | Check the Odds
Atletico Madrid +210 | Check the Odds
Soccer Odds: RB Leipzig +214 / Draw +210 / Atletico Madrid +210
Why RB Leipzig Will Win
Leipzig only lost one of their last five games down the stretch in Bundesliga play, but they only won two and drew two. One criticism of the team, particularly after the departure of Timo Werner, was that they spent too much time drawing teams that they should have beaten. In their loss to Borussia Dortmund in the penultimate game of Bundesliga play, they got pressure up the field time and time again, but it was clear that the team lacked a finisher.
The system that Leipzig brings is organized and efficient, and the team does not make mistakes on the back end. So you can expect them to keep bringing the ball forward and taking advantages of any mistakes that Atletico might make. Without Werner, though, the team lacks a true playmaker, so they will struggle to put the ball into the back of the net with the regularity that they will need to win the Champions League. Atletico has a stout defense, so Leipzig will have its hands full here.
Why Atletico Madrid Will Win
The team will not have Angel Correa or Sime Vrsaljko for this match, as their positive COVID-19 tests have them in self-isolation. There was a brief worry that this match would not be able to take place, if too many players had contracted the disease. Atletico finished the La Liga season on an 11-match unbeaten streak, winning seven and drawing four, after play resumed and the COVID-19 hiatus ended.
Atletico also has some pride to play for. This is the first time they have made it farther into the Champions League bracket than Real Madrid (their hometown rivals) has since 1996-97. Real Madrid was sent home by Manchester City in the Round of 16. Atletico’s defense should be able to manage a way to slow down the Leipzig offense, such as it is, and then they should have the speed and finishing to get to the net against Leipzig’s system.
The Final Word
If I’m picking based on overall system, I lean toward Leipzig. However, I just don’t think Leipzig can score on Atletico’s defense. I see a lengthy battle between two terrific defenses, but I also see Atletico getting the late finish for a 1-0 win.
RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid | Check the Odds
