The Champions League quarterfinals are in full swing on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid look to punch their tickets to the semifinals. This game will air live on UniMas, TUDN, and CBS All Access at 3:00 p.m. EST.
RB Leipzig was in a tight Group G, but came away on top with 11 points, three points more than second place Lyon. Leipzig then faced Tottenham in the Round of 16 and easily dispatched Spurs, 4-0. This is RB Leipzig’s second appearance in the Champions League, but the first time they have advanced to the knockout stages.
Atletico Madrid were in tough Group D and came away in second place, four points better than third place Bayer Leverkusen. Juventus won Group D with 16 points. Atleti had the performance of the tournament in the Round of 16 when they defeated the defending champions, and current Premier League champions, Liverpool 4-2.
RB Leipzig will be without star forward Timo Werner as the made his move to Chelsea at the end of the Bundesliga season.
Below is my pick for the Champions League action between Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Game Odds: RB Leipzig (+210) vs Atletico Madrid (+145) Draw (+210)
RB Leipzig has not played a competitive game since June 26rh when they ended the Bundesliga season with a 2-1 win over Augsburg. It was a disappointing restart for Leipzig, but it was still a successful season for the Red Bull club. Leipzig finished in third place in the Bundesliga but were 16 points off Bayern Munich at the top. RB Leipzig scored 81 goals in the Bundesliga, good for third in Germany.
Atletico Madrid last played on July 19th when they finished the La Liga season with a 1-1 home draw against Real Sociedad. Atleti had one heck of a restart that saw them go from barely in the Europa League spots to firmly in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid finished the season in third place, with 70 points, but were 17 points behind first place Real Madrid.
Series History: These two clubs have never met.
Soccer Predictions: I like Atletico Madrid to come away with the win and to advance to the semifinals.
2020 Results: 93-77
