The last time Atletico Madrid travelled to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the UCL, they left with a 0-2 defeat. This time, the stubborn Belgian side hosts Simeone’s outfit, aiming to rediscover consistency on the continental stage.
It's UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday, February 18, as Club Brugge welcome Atletico Madrid to the Jan Breydel Stadium for the first leg of their playoff tie. Both sides narrowly missed automatic qualification and will be desperate to secure a place in the round of 16.
📈Team Form📉
🔹 Club Brugge: 19th in the league phase with 10 points from 8 matches.
🔸 Atletico Madrid: 14th in the league phase with 13 points from 8 matches.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Club Brugge are on a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
🔥 Club Brugge have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.
🔥 Atletico Madrid have won just one of their four away matches in Europe this season.
🔥 While the rivalry remains tightly contested, their last encounter ended in a goalless draw, and across their previous four clashes, each side has won once, with two matches finishing level.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🔵Club Brugge | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢L🔴W🟢W🟢:
Ivan Leko's side extended their encouraging run with a 2-1 victory over Cercle Brugge in their most recent domestic outing.
They have shown the ability to rise to the occasion against strong opposition, highlighted by a notable 3-0 victory over Marseille in their last Champions League game.
However, defensive issues remain a concern, having conceded 17 goals while scoring 15 in Europe this season, leaving them with a negative goal difference.
🔴Atletico Madrid | Form: L🔴D🟡L🔴W🟢L🔴W🟢:
Diego Simeone's men arrive in Belgium looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
Their final league-phase outing in the Champions League ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Bodo/Glimt, further underlining their unpredictability in Europe this season.
Their away form remains a concern, with just one win, one draw and two defeats on the road in Europe, suggesting vulnerability outside Madrid that Brugge will be keen to exploit.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🔵Club Brugge (possible):
Mignolet, Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, Seys, Stankovic, Onyedika, Vanaken, Forbs, Vermant, Diakhon.
🔴Atletico Madrid (possible):
Oblak, Molina, Hancko, Pubill, Ruggeri, Lookman, Koke, Llorente, Simeone, Sorloth, Alvarez.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Hans Vanaken — Expected to provide balance between control and creativity in Club Brugge's midfield engine room.
✨ Ademola Lookman — Likely to feature in the attacking trio supporting the strikers for Atletico Madrid.
✨ Kyriani Sabbe — Part of a defensive line that will need to be at its best against Atletico's attacking threats.
✨ Julian Alvarez — Expected to lead the line alongside Alexander Sorloth as Atletico look to exploit Brugge's defensive vulnerabilities.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Club Brugge/Home to win = 3.96
💵 Atletico Madrid/Away to win = 1.95
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.60
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.66
This clash presents a fascinating contrast: a confident Club Brugge side with momentum on their side faces an inconsistent Atletico Madrid team vulnerable on their travels.
With a tightly contested historical rivalry offering hope for the hosts, the Jan Breydel Stadium is set for a compelling Champions League night.
Who do you think will take the first-leg advantage? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid game here on MSport.
#ClubBrugge #AtleticoMadrid #UCL #ChampionsLeague #Leko #Simeone #JanBreydel #Vanaken #Alvarez #Lookman #Oblak
The last time Arsenal travelled to Molineux in the Premier League, they secured a 0-1 victory. This time, a title-chasing Gunners side travels there again, only this time, to face a Wolves team destined for the drop.
It's Premier League action on Wednesday, February 18, as Arsenal travel to Molineux to face a Wolverhampton Wanderers side mired in a desperate battle against relegation. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be aiming to continue his side's impressive run against teams in the bottom three.
📈Team Form📉
🟡 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Bottom of the Premier League table with 9 points from 25 matches.
🔴 Arsenal: Top of the Premier League table with 60 points.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Arsenal are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
🔥 Arsenal have won each of their last 14 top-flight games against relegation-zone teams.
🔥 Wolves have lost 10 of their 13 Premier League home matches this season.
🔥 While Arsenal leads the recent H2H battle with nine straight wins, Wolves' last victory over the Gunners was a league double during the 2020-21 season.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
🟡Wolverhampton Wanderers | Form: D🟡L🔴L🔴L🔴D🟡W🟢:
Despite being rooted to the foot of the table, Rob Edwards' side can take heart from a gritty goalless draw against Nottingham Forest and their progression in the FA Cup.
However, they have lost 10 of their 13 home games this season and are 18 points adrift of safety. With time running out and pressure mounting, they will have to start getting positive results soon to avoid breaking Derby County's unwanted record for the lowest points total.
🔴Arsenal | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢D🟡W🟢:
Mikel Arteta's side extended their unbeaten run with a merited 1-1 draw against Brentford before easing past Wigan in the FA Cup, keeping their quadruple hopes alive.
They boast a formidable record against teams in the relegation zone, winning their last 14 such games by an aggregate score of 40-4. They will look to repeat that dominance against a Wolves side desperate to salvage some pride and avoid the drop.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
🟡Wolverhampton Wanderers (possible):
Sa, Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci, R. Gomes, A. Gomes, Mane, J. Gomes, H. Bueno, Armstrong, Arokodare.
🔴Arsenal (possible):
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀
✨ Tolu Arokodare — Scored in the reverse fixture at the Emirates and will be Wolves' main threat up front.
✨ Mateus Mane — The 18-year-old starlet is expected to operate in a key advanced midfield role for the hosts.
✨ Bukayo Saka — Recovered from injury to start against Wigan and will be crucial to Arsenal's attack on the right flank.
✨ Noni Madueke — Has scored four career goals against Wolves (27% of his PL total) and could be a difference-maker if he features.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵
💵 Wolves/Home to win = 10.61
💵 Arsenal/Away to win = 1.32
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG No) = 1.64
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.73
This clash presents a classic David vs Goliath scenario: a confident Arsenal side chasing the title faces a Wolves team desperate for a miracle to escape the drop zone.
With history offering little hope for the hosts, Molineux is set for a compelling Premier League night.
Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal game here on MSport.
#Wolves #Arsenal #PremierLeague #Arteta #Edwards #Molineux #Saka #Gyokeres #Odegaard #Arokodare #Madueke #Mane