Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Red Bull Salzburg's Champions League campaign started so poorly that their hopes were effectively dashed even before the winter break. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid secured their spot in the knockout phase two rounds before the group stage concluded. However, to avoid the knockout play-off round, Atlético Madrid must secure a victory in this fixture.
Red Bull Salzburg
The Austrian side have struggled to compete against the giants of Europe's top five leagues. Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid have collectively scored 13 goals against them, with Salzburg managing just one reply against Real Madrid (1:5) last week. With the Austrian Bundesliga on a winter break, Salzburg's form remains a question mark, as they haven’t been exposed to regular competitive action.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid's January schedule has been far from smooth. Three of their four recent wins were narrow, one-goal victories across different competitions: a triumph over lower-tier Marbella (1:0) in the Copa del Rey, a win against mid-table Osasuna (1:0) in La Liga, and a victory against Bayer Leverkusen (2:1) in the Champions League. There have also been setbacks in La Liga—a loss to bottom-placed Leganes (0:1) and a draw with Villarreal (1:1) last Saturday. Atlético Madrid have struggled to score, with no more than two goals in seven of their last eight matches.
Red Bull Salzburg vs Atlético Madrid Prediction
Given Atlético Madrid's pragmatic style of play and Red Bull Salzburg's inability to challenge superior opposition, this match is unlikely to see a high goal tally. Salzburg lack the firepower to break down Atlético’s disciplined defence. Atlético Madrid have conceded no more than one goal in their last nine games, which makes a low-scoring affair the most probable outcome.
