The 2018/19 UEFA Champions league group stage returns on Tuesday night. It is the fourth round of matches in the tournament and that means the reverse fixtures from two weeks ago.
There are some tremendous games in prospect with one of the highlights being the match between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Atletico Madrid start the match sitting second in the group with 6 points from their three games while Borussia Dortmund have a 100% record and lead the group on 9 points.
Diego Simeone’s team come into this match having been held to a 1-1 draw at Leganes on the weekend. Atletico Madrid took the lead in the game but could not hold on and conceded the equaliser in the 82nd minute.
However, Atletico Madrid remain a difficult team to beat and trends show they have lost just one of their last twelve games in all competitions. Unfortunately for Atletico Madrid, the only defeat in their previous twelve matches came in the Champions League at the home of upcoming opponents, Borussia Dortmund.
It was one of the worst results of Simeone’s time in charge of the club and the Argentine will be searching for revenge. Home form is good this season and Atletico Madrid have won five of their last six home matches in all competitions, including a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions league.
Atletico Madrid have won eleven of their last fifteen home Champions League games, tasting just a single defeat.
Borussia Dortmund travel to Spain in what is a massive week for the club. They play this match and then return to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on the weekend. However, Borussia Dortmund make the trip to the Spanish capital full of confidence having won 1-0 at Wolfsburg to lead the Bundesliga by 4 points.
It has been a tremendous season to date for Borussia Dortmund under the guidance of Lucien Favre and they sit top of both the Bundesliga and Champions league Group A. Trends show they have yet to taste a defeat and have won twelve of their fifteen competitive games in all competitions, with three matches ending in a draw.
Borussia Dortmund have won each of their last three away games in all competitions, scoring 9 goals and conceding twice. Their only away Champions League match was played at Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund came away with a late 1-0 win. That is their only win in their last seven away Champions League matches, four of which have ended in defeat.
Looking ahead to the team news and Atletico Madrid have doubts over the fitness of Diego Costa, who did not play on the weekend. Both Diego Godin and Koke are also doubtful which could see the home team without three key players.
Borussia Dortmund travel with doubts over full-backs Marcel Schmelzer and Lukasz Piszczek plus Mario Gotze will miss out due to illness.
This match will have goals but it should be a close game, despite the scoreline in their previous meeting. The spoils could be shared, with both teams scoring.