Head-to-head history
These two clubs have met a total of eight times in the Champions League dating back to 2014-15. Last season, they landed in the same group before the format changed, with Leverkusen running out 2-0 winners on matchday two. However, they played to a 2-2 draw on matchday five. Overall, they’ve both won three games apiece while settling for two draws as well.
Atleti needs a victory
As previously mentioned, the UCL format is different now, with the top eight sides progressing to the knockout stages while teams in 9th-24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to determine if they will progress to the Round of 16. That’s where Atletico sits at the moment, occupying 11th place with a 4-0-2 record. The Spanish giants have grabbed victories against Sparta Praha, Bratislava, and PSG while losing to Leipzig and French outfit Lille.
Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann have been fantastic for Atleti in the competition, both scoring four goals apiece. Angel Correa has also netted three times. The trio have accounted for 11 of the club’s 14 Champions League goals and they will all need to bring their best on Tuesday against a very strong Leverkusen group.
As for domestically, Diego Simeone’s men are having a marvelous campaign, sitting just two points behind first-place Real Madrid. Saturday’s loss was a shocker and only the second of the season in LaLiga. However, Atleti will need to put it in the rearview because there is a quick turnaround here. For what it’s worth, they’ve only lost once on home soil this term. The hosts sit at +150 odds for Tuesday at Betway.
Another fantastic season for Leverkusen
Leverkusen put together a historic campaign last term, which essentially put high expectations on them for 2024-25. But, that hasn’t fazed the Bundesliga champions at all. Xabi Alonso’s squad is in fourth place in the Champions League table with a 4-1-1 record, bagging 12 goals and conceding just five. Their only defeat came against Liverpool, who is arguably the strongest club in the world at the moment.
However, Leverkusen has beaten some quality sides in the competition so far, including Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, and AC Milan. Youngster Florian Wirtz is the star of the show in Europe, bagging five goals. Alex Grimaldo also has two goals. When it comes to Germany, Leverkusen is in the title race, sitting only four points behind first-place Bayern Munich.
The visitors happen to be in ridiculous form right now, too. Leverkusen has won 11 games in a row and their last defeat was in early November against the Reds. The confidence couldn’t be higher for Alonso’s side, but they also won’t be taking Atleti for granted. After all, the Spaniards are unbeaten in their last 10 games against German opponents. Leverkusen has similar odds to them for Tuesday’s encounter at soccer betting sites.
