Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge predictions and betting tips – Play-off in balance

Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid played out a six-goal thriller in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off, with a 3-3 draw in Belgium leaving the tie in the balance.

Will Atletico take care of business in front of their own fans in the return fixture, or will Club Brugge spring a surprise in the Spanish capital?

• Atletico Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals – 10/11 with Midnite
• Both teams to score – 4/6 with BoyleSports
• Julian Alvarez to score any time – 10/11 with Tote

Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge odds

Find the latest Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge predictions

There is everything still to play for in the second leg of this Champions League knockout phase play-off.

Of the eight first legs that took place last week, this was the most entertaining. Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle United and Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus contained more goals, but those were one-sided affairs. Conversely, Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge shared six goals equally at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Julian Alvarez gave the visitors the lead inside eight minutes, converting from the penalty spot. Atletico then doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time via Ademola Lookman.

But Club Brugge refused to give up and they were back on level terms by the hour mark thanks to two quick-fire goals early in the second period. Atletico later edged ahead again, before Christos Tzolis had the final say in the 89th minute.

“We were leading 2-0 and then 3-2. They reacted very well to going two goals down. It was a beautiful match due to the intensity, the quality of play and the goals,” Atletico boss Diego Simeone said afterwards. 

“We leave with a positive result, hoping to finish the job in the best possible way at home.”

Ivan Leko, the manager of Club Brugge, was similarly keen to focus on the positives, even though he felt his team could have got more from the match.

“I am proud of my players, of everybody in the club,” he said. “It is not easy to come back against a team like Atleti but we did and we deserved to with good football, with energy. 

“Our pressing and our defence was good. After an unlucky goal, we came back again. I am happy, but we could have won also.”

The tie will be decided one way or another on Tuesday. The pressure is on Atletico as the bigger, wealthier club, so Club Brugge will not mind being underdogs.

They have shown themselves to be a handy side this season, not only in the first leg but also against Barcelona (another 3-3 draw), Monaco (a 4-1 win) and Marseille (a 3-0 victory) in the league phase.

Both teams warmed up for the second leg with a domestic triumph. Club Brugge kept their title bid on track with a 2-1 defeat of OH Leuven, while Atletico beat Espanyol 4-2 to strengthen their position in the top four of La Liga. Now attention turns back to Europe.

Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge betting tips

Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge for a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Atletico to advance

When it is rocking on a Champions League night, there are few better atmospheres in the competition than the one found at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

That is one reason why home advantage is likely to be a factor here. Another is Club Brugge’s poor record on their travels, the Belgians having lost three out of four away games in the Champions League this term.

Club Brugge’s nine European games this season have averaged 4.22 goals, the exact same number as Atletico Madrid’s.

In terms of attacking intent and all-round enjoyment, the second leg is likely to follow the pattern of the first.

Atletico Madrid to win and over 2.5 goals at 10/11 with Midnite

No clean sheets here

Attacks got the better of defences last time out and that will probably be the same here.

There is still a cliche about Atletico Madrid being a conservative side under Simeone, but many of their recent results suggest anything but.

Their last six Champions League matches, for instance, have seen both Atletico and their opponents find the back of the net.

Having breached Atletico’s backline three times last week, Club Brugge will fancy their chances of doing so again on Tuesday.

Both teams to score at 4/6 with BoyleSports

Alvarez on target?

Atletico Madrid have done a good job of sharing the goals around this season.

Julian Alvarez leads the way on 13 strikes in all competitions, followed by Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth on 12 apiece.

Alvarez is our pick to find the back of the net in this one. He converted a penalty last week and remains Atletico’s designated taker, while he also poses a significant threat in open play.

Alvarez played for less than half an hour against Espanyol on Saturday, so he should be fresh for the visit of Club Brugge.

Julian Alvarez to score any time at 10/11 with Tote

Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge predicted lineups

• Atletico Madrid expected lineup: Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Llorente, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez.
• Club Brugge expected lineup: Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, Sabbe; Vanaken, Vetlesen, Stankovic; Diakhon, Tresoldi, Tzolis.

Where to watch Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge

• Location: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
• Date and time: Tuesday 24th February, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 3.

More Champions League predictions

We have plenty more Champions League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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