Lokomotiv Moscow remain in the hunt for a top two finish in Group A, but really need a win at home against Salzburg to stand a realistic chance of beating Atletico to 2nd place.
The Russian club made it back to back goalless draws at the weekend as they followed up their 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid with a 0-0 draw in the Premier League against Akhmat Grozny on Saturday.
Four of Lokomotiv Moscow’s last six matches have seen under 2.5 goals scored, which includes their last two Champions League games against Atletico Madrid. The Russians haven’t conceded a single goal in their last three outings and have drawn three of their last five fixtures.
Lokomotiv and Salzburg hadn’t met before their first Group A clash in October. In Austria, the pair played out a 2-2 draw and both clubs remain without a win in the Champions League this season.
Lokomotiv Moscow have draw three times in Group A this season, while Salzburg’s only point so far arrived in that 2-2 draw with Lokomotiv.
Salzburg were involved in a 10-goal thriller at the weekend, running out 6-2 winners away at St. Polten in the Bundesliga. Five of the visitor’s last six outings have produced over 2.5 goals and both teams have scored in each of Salzburg’s last five outings.
Salzburg have dropped points in four of their last five matches and a win looks unlikely for the Austrian club on Tuesday.
The hosts look set to be without the services of Smolov, Lysov and Barinov due to injury, while the Salzburg trio of Okugawa, Daka and Bernede have been ruled out of Tuesday’s clash.
Forebet has backed a draw between Lokomotiv and Salzburg, a result that doesn’t really suit either side. Neither of these two teams have won a game in the Champions League this season and another draw on Tuesday would be the fifth stalemate in the pair’s nine Group A games combined.
Lokomotiv Moscow have looked strong in defence of late while Salzburg have looked at their best in the final third. With this in mind, a final scoreline on Tuesday looks tricky to predict but at a push, Forebet is predicting a 2-2 draw.
The hosts have only scored 4-goals in Group A but have only conceded 5-goals, the second best defensive record in the group. Salzburg have conceded a whopping 14-goals in their opening four group games but have managed to net 7-goals, leading Forebet to predict a 2-2 draw.