The Matchday 8 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Salzburg (Austria) and Atletico Madrid (Spain) will take place on January 29 at the Salzburg Stadium. Salzburg vs. Atletico Madrid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Salzburg
Thomas Lech's first official match as head coach of the Austrian club was unsuccessful – the team lost 1-5 to Real Madrid. This was Salzburg's fifth heavy defeat in the current Champions League. As a result, the Austrians have lost all chances to advance to the playoffs. Even if they win in the final round, they will not rise above 28th place.
Midfielder Maurits Kjaergaard and forward Karim Konate will miss the game due to injuries.
- In the last eight Champions League matches, the club has achieved only one victory (1 draw and 6 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Salzburg's last 7 matches in this tournament.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final score in 12 of the last 16 home matches of the Austrians in this European competition.
Atletico Madrid
The Spaniards secured an important home victory over Bayer (2-1) in the last round, scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute. After this, the club climbed to fifth place and secured a spot in the playoff matches. To advance directly to the Champions League Round of 16, Atletico needs to win the upcoming match. It is also worth noting Diego Simeone's team's four-match winning streak in the group stage, as well as an impressive goal difference of 13:3 during this period.
Midfielder Pablo Barrios will miss the match due to suspension, and defender Javi Galan will be out due to injury.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 8 of Atletico's last 10 matches in this European competition.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in Atletico's last 10 Champions League matches.
- In 7 of Atletico's last 10 matches in this tournament, at least two goals have been scored in the first half.
Predicted lineups for Salzburg vs. Atletico Madrid
Salzburg (4-3-3): Janis Blaswich – Aleksa Terzic, Samson Baidoo, Amar Dedic, Hendry Blank – Nicolas Capaldo, Oscar Gloukh, Mads Bidstrup – Nene Dorgeles, Adam Daghim, Moussa Kounfolo Yeo.
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Jan Oblak – Clement Lenglet, Jose Maria Gimenez, Axel Witsel, Marcos Llorente – Samuel Lino, Rodrigo De Paul, Giuliano Simeone, Conor Gallagher – Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
- Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
- Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
- Average yellow cards per match – 5.8;
- Red cards shown – 0;
- Average fouls per match – 23;
- Penalties – 40%.
Salzburg vs. Atletico Madrid: Match Prediction
The Austrians can already focus on the domestic championship, which will resume on February 7. The team's first official match this year ended in a heavy defeat to Real Madrid. It is likely that the Austrians, lacking tournament motivation, will again suffer a heavy defeat against another Madrid club. Especially since Salzburg lost all three home group stage matches in the Champions League "to nil" with a margin of two or more goals.
For Atletico, it is crucial to qualify directly for the Round of 16. To achieve this, the Spaniards need to win in Austria. Considering that Salzburg has not impressed even in their domestic league this season and has yet to regain form after the winter break, I expect the visitors to secure a confident victory. Moreover, in their last two away Champions League matches, Atletico thrashed Sparta Prague (6-0) and defeated French champions PSG (2-1).
My prediction – Atletico Madrid with a handicap (-1.5)
