Lokomotiv Moscow V Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 1 October 2019 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Lokomotiv Moscow or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109/20 | 5/2 | 67/100 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 30th September 2019 at 14:50)
Preview: Assuming early control in Group D are outsiders Lokomotiv Moscow, the Russian club who were overlooked by many but would produce a surprise victory in Germany on Matchday One. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid could only pick up a point from their opener. So, who will prevail when these two meet on Russian soil inside the RZD Arena?
UEFA Champions League Betting – 22Bet
Lokomotiv Moscow Preview – Can Russians maintain excellent form?
When the draw was initially made, the consensus was that the Russian club would probably struggle to keep its head above water in an incredibly tough section. By the end of Matchday One, however, it would be Yuri Semen’s men leading the way in Group D, setting the early pace after causing a small upset with their 2-1 victory out in Germany against Bayer Leverkusen. It was an outcome that flattered them in all fairness, turning in a very clinical display on the night (xG: BAY 1.71 – 0.76 LOK).
A repeat performance is likely to be required once more as they prepare to face a stronger calibre of opponent on this occasion, who seldom concede many scoring chances. However, winning outcomes for Lokomotiv in each of their last four competitive matches – three of those being in the Russian Premier League, where they currently sit third (W7 D2 L2) – is genuinely impressive stuff and commands attention. Moreover, all four victories were by a one-goal margin: a home win by one goal is 13/2 with PaddyPower.
Hugely influential during this recent rich vein of form has been Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. The 29-year-old, who was once on loan at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, has netted in three of his team’s last four matches. Intriguingly, each of those goals was the game’s first goal, including in that eye-catching win over Bayer Leverkusen. Betfair offer 14/1 on him First Goalscorer and 13/2 to score anytime.
Atletico Madrid Preview- A stronger team but will they show it?
Diego Simone and his Atletico Madrid side begun another European adventure together with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the toughest team in their section, sharing four goals of an enthralling contest with Juventus in Spain. The La Liga outfit were arguably the superior side, creating the better openings over the course of the 90 minutes (xG: ATL 2.22 – 0.98 JUV) though were eventually indebted to midfielder Hector Herrera for heading them level in the closing stages.
Preparations for this long trek to Russia could not have been more vigorous than a Madrid Derby, either. A goalless draw with their fierce capital rivals was about right for a game low on quality, especially in front of goal which continues to be a problematic area in urgent need of improvement for Atleti, who have now failed to score in three of their previous five matches in all competitions.
It is also one win in those five games (W1 D3 L1), with their early season promise – opening with three consecutive victories domestically – feeling like a distant memory. Nevertheless, this is an incredibly resolute and well-organised team for anybody to overcome, a team that has been beaten on one occasion in 2019/20 so far (W4 D3 L1 in all competitions – losing only to Real Sociedad on the road).
However, in last season’s group stage Los Colchoneros would win only one of three away from home (W1 D1 L1), defeating Monaco (1-2) but failing to score against Club Brugge (0-0) and Borussia Dortmund (0-0). It is 19/5 with Unibet that Atletico Madrid fail to score in Moscow on Tuesday.
Lokomotiv Moscow V Atletico Madrid Key Facts:
- Lokomotiv Moscow have won their last four competitive matches, including a 2-1 win in their opening game of the group at Bayer Leverkusen.
- Atletico Madrid have won only one of their previous five matches in all competitions, drawing with Juventus in their group opener.
- Their last meeting came two seasons ago in the Europa League knockouts, which Atletico emphatically won 8-1 on aggregate and 5-1 in Moscow.
Betting Summary
Not too many teams command as much respect on the European stage as Atletico Madrid, a team that have been a model of consistency under Diego Simone. So even with their level dipping recently, to such an extent they have won one of the previous five games in all competitions (W1 D3 L1), we can expect them to bounce back sooner rather than later. Besides, they were the better team in that opening 2-2 draw with Juventus.
Upsetting the odds first time around when defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in their own backyard, Lokomotiv Moscow are out to cause another, more seismic shock. They’re also in excellent form having won four games in a row prior to hosting this fixture, while at home in 2019/20 they have tasted defeat only once (W3 D1 L1).
Initially, I wanted to lay Atletico Madrid. The recent numbers are fairly damning, with the La Liga side in poor form at the very same time that Lokomotiv Moscow have been playing well. Russia is rarely a stroll in the park either. So with confidence and momentum behind them, backing the hosts to get something is the selection even though an Atleti win wouldn’t be a shock.
