On Tuesday, 21 January, Atletico will take on Bayer Leverkusen in the seventh round of the Champions League general stage. Both teams will definitely qualify for the top-24, but there are still questions about getting into the top-eight. So far, the Spaniards have one point less.

Atletico had a streak of fifteen consecutive matches before the match with their German rivals. This has never happened at all - this is the best result in the history of the entire team. The defeat came when they weren't expecting it at all. Diego Simeone's wards lost to Leganes, although the odds on the opponent and was 7.00. Another sad event was an unrealised penalty from Antoine Griezmann. The match is hardly indicative of a serious slump. Such games against close opponents Atletico have regular occurrences. At the same time, a defeat now is a serious blow to their championship prospects.

Atletico's main loss is the absence of centre-back Jose Jimenez. Also, rotation forward Alexander Serlot will not play.

Bayer travels to Madrid - on a wild game boost. Leverkusen have their own winning streak - eleven matches in a row. Bayer are back in the championship race in the Bundesliga, are not out of the German Cup yet and will definitely continue to fight in the Champions League. Xabi Alonso has righted the course after a lacklustre start.

In the previous round Bayer did not notice the guests from Mönchengladbach at all. Leverkusen registered a 3-1 victory at home. The only conceded goal already came in the end. Interestingly, even in the last almost perfect season, the team did not have such an impressive winning streak. Bayer goes through difficult opponents even without the main forward Victor Boniface. The Belgian is injured - he is being replaced by Patrick Schick.

Much of the progress has been made by the defence. For example, in the last ten Bundesliga matches, Bayer's opponents created less than one dangerous moment per game on average.

We expect an extremely curious clash of styles. Bayer will definitely try to play first. Atletico are motivated after a strange defeat. From a tournament point of view, the Germans will be satisfied with a draw, but Simeone's team should take three points. Then qualification to the top-8 will be assured.

Bookmakers are cautious in assessing the odds. It is logical to expect an equal game. In terms of total - Atletico is unlikely to allow Bayer to act in a comfortable style. In Spain, a relatively close scenario is more likely. A draw will not be a problem for the Germans. Most likely, with an exchange of goals, there will already be much less risk.