Atletico Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Here is our preview of Tuesday’s Champions League clash between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, including our predicted lineups.

Winners of their last 11 games in all competitions, Bayer Leverkusen will go into Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid full of confidence.

With 13 points from six Champions League games, Die Werkself have their sights set on the knockout stages, but they know that the Estadio Metropolitano is not an easy place to play.

“Mentality against mentality. Quality against quality. We will do everything we can to come back with a positive result,” said midfield talisman Granit Xhaka ahead of the game.

“We have to keep pushing forward. Our goal is a top-eight finish,” added Bayer Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes.

Atletico are coming off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leganes, but it should be noted that they were on a remarkable 15-match winning streak going into the game.

In terms of personnel, the home side will be without Jose Maria Gimenez (muscular).

Leverkusen suffered a major injury blow on Saturday when French striker Martin Terrier sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.

Long-term absentees Amine Adli (broken leg) and Jeanuel Belocian (cruciate ligament) remain sidelined, while the game may come too soon for Victor Boniface (thigh).

Xabi Alonso could go with a 4-4-2 formation and is expected to make a number of changes to the team that beat Gladbach 3-1 on Saturday.

Matej Kovar could get a chance in goal at the expense of captain Lukas Hradecky, while Nordi Mukiele, Jeremie Frimpong and Exequiel Palacios are also likely to come into the starting eleven. Patrik Schick may get a rest, with Nathan Tella an alternative up front.

Click here to see our predicted Atletico Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen lineups.