Champions League: Liverpool v Atl. Madrid betting preview, free tips, TV details

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, second leg.

Where to watch

BT Sport 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals
1pt 23-20 general
Back this tip with Coral

Team news

Liverpool
Jordan Henderson (hamstring) is back in full training and Andy Robertson should recover from a minor injury but Xherdan Shaqiri (calf) and Alisson (hip) are ruled out.

Atletico Madrid
Thomas Lemar (muscle strain) has been out of action since the first leg.

Match preview

Liverpool famously recovered from a 3-0 first-leg deficit to bash Barcelona in last season's Champions League semi-finals but are odds-against to get past Atletico Madrid, who hold a 1-0 lead following last month's clash in the Spanish capital.

Jurgen Klopp's side have been well below their best since their winter break but had a positive weekend – defeating Bournemouth 2-1 – and are just two wins away from wrapping up their first league title since 1990.

Liverpool's performance against the Cherries was a step up from the defeats at Watford (0-3) and Chelsea (0-2) and they will probably have to show further improvement to overcome Atletico, who remain a difficult side to play against.

Diego Simeone's side are fifth in La Liga, 13 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, and have a battle on their hands to qualify for next season's Champions League.

But their defensive record – 21 goals conceded – is the second-best in Spain and their powers of resilience were showcased in the first leg, which was largely devoid of chances.

Liverpool registered just eight shots and failed to get a single effort on target for the only time this season.

Atletico were only slightly more effective, delivering two shots on target, including the decisive fourth-minute goal from Saul Niguez.

However, they are likely to discover that it is far more difficult to keep a lid on Liverpool on a typically atmospheric evening under the Anfield lights.

Klopp will be looking to give the fans some encouragement and that means playing at a much higher tempo than has been the case in recent weeks.

Atletico will not want the game to be played at a frantic pace but are likely to be up against a Reds midfield re-energised by the likely return of Jordan Henderson, who has resumed full training.

Henderson's presence and the demands he puts on his teammates could make a massive difference.

Liverpool will be looking to sustain attacks but need to approach the task with intelligence and bear in mind Atletico's counter-attacking capabilities.

Atletico may not see much of the ball but their front two - Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata – are potential matchwinners.

Morata tops their scoring charts with eight league goals but Felix is probably playing with greater confidence after two goals in his last three appearances.

A big moment from either cannot be discounted but Liverpool are worth backing to win a tight second leg.

Key stat

Sixteen of Atletico Madrid's last 17 away games have featured under 3.5 goals.

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