Our prediction for this Champions League match:
First place in Group E will be at stake when Atletico Madrid and Lazio square off against each other at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday evening. Los Rojiblancos are leading the standings ahead of the last group game and they are one point away from securing top position. All Jose Gimenez, Memphis Depay, and Saul Niguez should be recalled to the starting XI as Diego Simeone is expected to mix the squad, while both Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar continue to miss out with injuries.
The Biancocelesti, on the other hand, booked their spot in the Champions League last 16 thanks to a 2-0 win over Celtic, but beating Atletico in the Spanish capital is easier said than done. A close encounter is on the cards and, taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Matias Vecino is back from suspension, while all Patric, Gustav Isaksen, and Alessio Romagnoli are injured for the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Antoine Griezmann):
Anthony Griezmann is a French forward born on 21st March 1991 in Macon, and he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting footballers at the moment. The pacey striker started showing his potential shortly after coming through Real Sociedad’s youth academy and he went on to score 46 goals in 179 league appearances for La Real. Excellent displays in Spanish la Liga saw him become a target for a number of top clubs, but he eventually choose to sign for Atletico Madrid, and that proved to be a very good decision.
Griezmann continued the rich vein of form at Vicente Calderon, scoring some important goals as los Colchoneros enjoyed domestic and European success, while also becoming a key member of the France national team.
Playing as a winger or second striker, Griezmann possesses impressive technical skills, he is a strong finisher and still finds time to work hard for his side, so no wonder he is widely regarded as one of the leading forwards on the continent. He won the U19 European Championship with France and is tipped to lead Les Bleus to glory on senior level as well.
Highlighted Team (Lazio):
Lazio Roma are an Italian football club based in Rome. Lazio were founded in 1900 and they compete in the Serie A. The Biancocelesti (The White and Sky Blues) have won two Serie A trophies (1973/1974, 1999/2000), while lifting six Coppa Italia titles.
The capital club play their home games at Stadio Olimpico and Roma are regarded as Lazio’s main rivals.
The two teams face each other in the Derby della Capitale and it is considered the fiercest inter-city derby in Italy. Lazio won UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, with the team beating Mallorca in the title game. The same year they managed to clinch the UEFA Super Cup trophy as they outplayed English giants Manchester United at Stade Louis II, Monaco.
The likes of Pavel Nedved, Giuseppe Favalli, Juan Sebastian Veron, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Roberto Mancini, Giuseppe Signori, Miroslav Klose and Simone Inzaghi are notable footballers who played for Lazio in the past.