Holders Atletico Madrid face tough test
Europa League holders Atletico Madrid will face a tricky test tonight against Bayer Leverkusen.
The German side have made a promising start to the Bundesliga season, posting good wins away at high-flying Borussia Dortmund and a triumphant 4-1 victory over Stuttgart last weekend.
Boasting an experienced squad that includes veteran campaigners Sami Hyypia and Simon Rolfes, the Bundesliga club will provide solid opposition for Atletico and are priced at [4.2] to turn them over.
Despite sitting fifth in La Liga, with credible wins over Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid lost their opening Europa League game 1-0 to Greek newcomers Aris and will need to recover quickly to make it through Group B, which also includes Norwegian heavyweights Rosenborg.
Although they had a low-profile summer in terms of new signings, only really adding Arsenal prospect Fran Merida, ex-Chelsea man Tiago and solid defender Diego Godin to their squad, they pulled off a great coup in keeping hold of Sergio Aguero, Jose Reyes and World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan. It's this firepower that causes them to be priced at [1.94] to win tonight.
Buoyed by their defeat of Zaragoza at the weekend, and despite Leverkusen's good form, the holders will be hot favourites to win this evening and it's hard to imagine Forlan [2.54] or Portugese stalwart Simao [5.2] not being on the scoresheet. Forlan's bagged three so far this season, Simao has two.
Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
Kick-off: 8.05pm
Live on ESPN
Will Atletico begin the defence of their trophy for real tonight? Or will Bayer Leverkusen prove too strong? Have your say in the box below...
Published: 30 Sep 2010
Leave a comment