The expanded 36-team league phase of the UEFA Champions League has provided heavyweight clashes in Europe’s elite club competition right from the very start and that is the case once again on Merseyside this weekend.
Liverpool spent heavily over the summer transfer window and the plan for Arne Slot’s Reds will be to fight on all fronts. They have started with four wins from four in the Premier League, with all of those victories requiring a late winning goal.
It had been a very tricky start for Atletico Madrid after another summer of spending. Los Rojiblancos collected just two points from their opening three La Liga matches before they then defeated Villarreal 2-0 at the Metropolitano at the weekend.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid prediction
Liverpool have not yet found the immense control and cohesion that they had last season, but they are still finding a way to win as plenty of big money players adapt and gel into the squad. Atletico could build on their impressive attacking win against Villarreal but the likelihood is that Diego Simeone reverts back to the norm.
If that is the case then Atleti will ensure it is a low-scoring game decided by fine margins, but the momentum, home advantage and abundance of match winners for Liverpool still marks them out as favourites.
The Sporting News Score Prediction:
Liverpool 1-0 Atletico Madrid
It may well be a cagey encounter but our score prediction suggests we think there will be at least one goal in the game.
- As Atletico Madrid make the trip to Liverpool this week, they are the underdogs with the English champions viewed as firm favourites with the bookmakers.
- Record signing Alexander Isak could be in the Liverpool squad and could make his debut for the hosts this weekend.
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid lineups
Here's how we think these two sides this week. Arne Slot has hinted that Alexander Isak could be involved in this one after being left of the squad against Burnley the other day. David Hancko is now a major doubt for Atletico after a bright start to his career in La Liga.
Liverpool predicted lineup to play Atletico
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Szoboszlai, Gravenberch — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike
Injured: Mac Allister (doubt), Jones
Suspended: None
Atletico predicted lineup to play Liverpool
(4-4-2, right to left)
- Oblak (GK) — Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri — Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, Koke, Gonzalez — Griezmann, Sorloth
Injured: Jose Maria Gimenez, Hancko (doubt), Johnny, Alex Baena, Almada, Julian Alvarez
Suspended: None
Liverpool vs. Atletico latest odds, correct score betting
Liverpool are the favourites for this one and are at best odds of 1.50 with Dafabet, whilst the draw is priced up at 4.40 and Atletico are the underdogs out at 6.45.
Our 1-0 prediction is at best odds of 8.11 with Dafabet but here's the best available odds for five of the other most likely results.
Result | Odds* | Bet with |
Liverpool 1-0 | 8.11 | |
Liverpool 2-1 | 8.21 | |
Liverpool 2-0 | 7.71 | Parimatch |
Draw 1-1 | 8.65 | Melbet |
Liverpool 3-1 | 11.38 | Melbet |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Liverpool vs. Atletico team news
- Liverpool have no major injury concerns but Alexis Mac Allister was substituted against Burnley at half-time and there some fitness concerns over the Argentine international midfielder.
- The Reds could welcome £125 million signing Alexander Isak into their squad this week. The Swede is yet to be at full match fitness after an obviously disrupted pre-season.
- David Hancko has enjoyed a positive start for Atletico after joining from Feyenoord, but he is now an injury concern ahead of their trip to England this week.
- Another new signing, who has been good, is Thiago Almada, and he is now sidelined alongside both Jose Maria Gimenez and another new addition, Alex Baena.
- They have also been dealt a fresh injury blow in the build-up, with Johnny Cardoso and key attacker Julian Alvarez missing out as well.
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How to watch Liverpool vs. Atletico: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Thursday, September 18
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
- Time & TV/Stream: 12:30 a.m. | Sony sports network