Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Champions League – Group D
Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid).
Atletico coach Simeone head is without several first-team regulars ahead of this match.
Striker Diego Costa is not available with a back problem, leaving Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix with minimal front cover, with Vitolo also absent.
Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez both are also struggling with injuries, meaning Simeone could only encompass the central defensive pairing of Mario Hermoso and Felipe with no recognized senior alternative.
Sime Vrsaljko and the squad players Borja Garces also injured and will not feature on Wednesday.
For Lokomotiv boss Yuri Semin, Joao Mario and Luka Djordjevic are definitely out, while Anton Miranchuk, Guilherme and Rifat Zhemaletdinov all doubts but could feature. Dmitri Barinov suspended.
Atletico Madrid lineup early as possible:
oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Hermoso, Lodi; Correa, Saul, Thomas, Koke; Felix Morata
Lokomotiv Moscow early as possible lineup:
Guilherme; Ignatyev, Howedes, Corluka, Rybus; Murilo, Krychowiak; Zhemaletdinov, Aleksey Miranchuk, Tugarev; Eder
Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moscow: Predictions
The big game could not come at a worse time for the people of Spain. Having won just once in their last six games while losing three times, Cholo Simeone will have to wake up from their slumber his men are currently at.
Los Colchoneros have lost their last two games but is still second in the group with seven points, one ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. At this time in four games without a win, Atletico must beat Lokomotiv if they go through to the knockout or the Red and Whites will have to rely on to remain unbeaten Juventus in Germany v Bayer Leverkusen.
As for The Lokos, the game was over for them. They are 4 in Group D no matter what. Russian club won their opening game v Bayer in Germany but have lost every game since. Yuri Semin men have only their pride to play for Wednesday evening in Madrid.
Now, their pride and to end a run of their own loss. Three-game losing run is only part of the struggle Parovozy, because their crisis underway since mid-October and the trip to Torino. After it lost 2-1, The Lokos have won just one in ten games while losing seven times.
Diego Costa had a hernia operation and is expected to be out until the future. Stefan Savic, Sime Vrsaljko and José María Gimenez also absent due to injury.
Jefferson Farfan, Luka Djordjevic and Boris Rotenberg long-term absentees for Lokomotiv while Guilherme, Dmitri Barinov, Joao Mario and Anton Miranchuk not sure for a Wednesday game.
Despite everything, this is a must win game for Diego Simeone, and I think he'll come through. Lokomotiv lost 0-4 to Tula just a few days ago and this being their last game of the year, maybe they were on vacation already. So Semester / Semester II: Atletico / Atletico is worth a try. Asian Handicap -1.5 too.