Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid 11/3/21 UEFA Champions League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Liverpool is hosting Atletico Madrid at Anfield in round 4 of Group B of the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool is perfect in the Champions League with 3 wins, and they are at the top of this group. Atletico is in 2^nd place, but they could use a positive result here to relieve some pressure.

Liverpool is playing well in all competitions, and they are the only undefeated team left in the EPL. So far in the Champions League, Liverpool has scored 11 goals, and it’s a good thing they did because their defense is a bit sloppy with 5 conceded goals. With 5 scored goals, Salah is the leading goalscorer for Liverpool, while Firmino added 2 goals. Last weekend, Liverpool was playing against Brighton at home, and they were the better team with 58% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 5 corner kicks, 2 big chances created, and 86% of the correct passes. In the 24^th minute, Liverpool has had 2-0 lead, and everything looked great for them. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Brighton has scored a goal in the 41^st minute, and another one in the 65^th minute, while they weren’t able to retake the lead. The final score was 2-2. Liverpool has been at the top of European soccer for years now, and they are definitely one of the favorites to win the EPL and the Champions League, but their defense has to become more consistent.

Atletico has won only 1 of their last 4 games, but they have also lost only 1 of their last 6 games, not thanks to their defense I might add. Atletico’s best game of the season so far was against Betis last weekend, and they have had 47% of ball possession, 9 shots on goal, 13 corner kicks, 7 big chances created, and 83% of the correct passes. This was one game where Atletico’s defense did what I didn’t expect, and that was to defend well. Atletico has scored 3 goals, and they have deservedly won this game 3-0. In the Champions League, Atletico has scored only 4 goals, and Griezmann is their leading goalscorer with 3 goals, but he is suspended because of the red card. Atletico might be in 2^nd spot right now, but they are feeling pressure from Porto who are in 3^rd place, and if Atletico doesn’t win this game, they could drop down a spot, and that would be bad.

The trends are mixed in this matchup, and while both teams are in solid form, Liverpool is the home team, and I’m giving the advantage to them, but I will rather take the over because I don’t think Atletico can stop Liverpool from scoring right now.