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Will Atletico Madrid secure the win they need to book top spot in Group A of the Champions League? They head to Belgium on Tuesday night aiming to wrap up their European campaign for 2018, sitting narrowly ahead of Borussia Dortmund. The visitors only moved clear at the top thanks to Club Brugge, who were able to hold the Germans to a draw. The hosts are sailing towards the Europa League, after opening up a four-point lead over Monaco. However, will they add to a solid campaign with another result here?
Club Brugge have kept up their title chase domestically, and they’ve managed some improvements in Europe. The hosts were able to hammer Monaco in their trip to the principality. They’ve made it three games unbeaten in Europe, which is a fine achievement in what looked to be a tough group for them. Going up against the finalists from 2013, 2014, 2016 and the semi-finalists from 2017 left Brugge up against some huge names from across Europe, but they’ve managed to hold their own. Will that continue in their clash with Atletico?
The visitors aren’t just focusing on continuing their progression in Europe, but they have an eye on the Spanish title race. With just three points between them and top spot, Atleti have still got a chance of taking the Spanish title for the first time since 2014. However, some recent slips may have left them ruing their inconsistency. With the other Spanish giants struggling in their opening stages of the season, Diego Simeone’s side have arguably missed a huge opportunity. They’re likely to switch focus to their domestic hopes for the next couple of months, but will that hurt them here?
With Brugge picking up in their recent European results, this is likely to be a real test for the visitors. They come here on the back on a couple of home wins, but will they be able to repeat that in this trip? We have seen signs of late that Brugge can compete with the top sides in Europe, based on them taking four points from trips to Monaco and Borussia Dortmund in their last two. Following that with a result here would send them into the Europa League next season on a high.
The hosts have a chance, given that they’re facing a side who are poor on their travels. Atlético Madrid have won just one of their last seven UEFA Champions League away matches (W1 D4 L2). The group stage last term brought a string of draws, which included a slip against Qarabag. In recent times, they’ve won once in six away trips, and that success came against a lower league side in the cup. I see them dropping points here, so I am backing Brugge to extend their unbeaten run.
Club Brugge have kept up their title chase domestically, but they’ve managed some improvements in Europe. The hosts were able to hammer Monaco in their trip to the principality. They’ve made it three games unbeaten in Europe, which is a fine achievement in what looked to be a tough group for them.
The hosts have a chance, given that they’re facing a side who are poor on their travels. Atlético Madrid have won just one of their last seven UEFA Champions League away matches (W1 D4 L2). The group stage last term brought a string of draws, which included a slip against Qarabag. In recent times, they’ve won once in six away trips, and that success came against a lower league side in the cup.
With Brugge picking up in their recent European results, this is likely to be a real test for the visitors.