Vicente Calderon hosts the match between last year’s runner ups, Atletico Madrid and Juventus Torino, set to make a better impression than last year. History shows that Juve won four out of five matches against Atletico, but that was a long time ago, and in recent history these two teams have not yet played against each other.

Atletico come from a defeat in the first round of the group stage and now look forward to improving their record against Italian teams. They won their last five matches against Italian opposition, and Diego Simeone does not look keen to trade that. In La Liga, Atletico are on the third place, two points behind the leaders, after conceding two points in the 2-2 draw against Celta. The latest result is a 4-0 win against Sevilla, where Koke, Miranda, Godin and Mandzukic are keeping the team set in all areas.

Juventus are enjoying an unbeaten run in Serie A, and hope to extend it also in Champions League, even if their injuries might prevent them from doing so. Massimiliano Allegri is implementing a new more attacking style, but might have to be without Caceres and Barzagli, while Pirlo is still a doubt. Pereyra is returning from suspension and while Arturo Vidal has scored in all of his last five matches in Champions League, while Tevez netted a brace in their latest Serie A match.

One might argue that Atletico are not displaying the same quality as last year after the transfer of Diego Costa, but the same could be said about Juventus who are still trying to convince everybody they are up to the tasks on European football stage. Juve are not expected to dominate possession in key areas of the field, as Atletico might impose pressure should they start in a four midfield starting eleven.

We are betting 8 units on an outright Atletico Madrid win at 2.20 with William Hill, while Juventus Torino get 3.60 odds. A draw is at 3.10 and the headline offers include: Mandzukic to score and Atletico to win at 4.00 and Tevez to score and Juventus to win at 6.00 odds. Both teams to score has 2.10 odds, and Atletico Madrid to win both halves at 6.50. The same betting market for la Vecchia Signora is at 13.00 and over 2.5 goals has 2.50 odds with William Hill.

Atletico Madrid: Team’s Formation