On Thursday, Lokomotiv Moscow host Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Europa League. The visitors recorded a 3-0 victory in the first leg of this tie to give themselves a comfortable lead heading to the Russian capital.
Lokomotiv Moscow are currently top of the Russian Premier League and also had a good record in the Europa League until the first leg of this tie. In fact, the home side had recorded four successive wins in this competition prior to their trip to Madrid.
The Railwaymen have never made it to the last 16 of the Europa League, so have made history this season. It looks like their run in this competition is unlikely to go any further.
The home side does have a decent home record in this competition, though, having won three of their last four games on home soil in the Europa League.
Atletico Madrid heads into this game with history on their side, as the Spanish side are unbeaten in five games against Russian teams in European competition.
Having dropped out of the Champions league, Diego Simeone’s side recorded a 5-1 aggregate victory over Copenhagen in the last 16 of this competition. The team from the Spanish capital have now won their last four games in the Europa League while keeping three clean sheets in the process.
The visitor’s recent games in this competition have been low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight games in this competition.
Atletico has won eight of their last ten away games in this competition while conceding just six goals in the process. Seven of their last 12 away games in the Europa League have produced under 2.5 goals.
Forebet predicts that Atletico will finish the job in Russia and record a victory in a low scoring encounter.