CHRIS GRAHAM (@chrisgraham79) previews Leicester’s clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
Leicester v Atletico Madrid | Tuesday 19:45 | BT Sport 2
No shots on target last week, but certainly hope for Leicester as they emerged from Madrid with a 1-0 defeat to Atletico. Their adventure rolls on to the second leg here as the raucous King Power gets another epic night.
It’s defence that is the major concern for the Foxes. Robert Huth is suspended for this match and his fellow lynchpin Wes Morgan is an injury doubt after missing last week’s opening leg and indeed their last six matches.
The Spanish seemed content with a 1-0 win last week. Nonchalantly playing it around the field in the latter stages, the tie looks teed up for Diego Simeone’s side to move into the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.
Atleti in power
Restricting Leicester to no away goal last week puts the La Liga side in a powerful position. They’ve scored in seven of their nine away Champions League knockout matches since their golden run began in this competition in 2013/14.
It feels a leap of faith for Leicester to shut out this great side with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres and Yannick Carrasco in attendance. Atleti have scored in 16 of their last 17 matches and that should go 17 in 18 here.
King Power to rock
Having said that, I’m expecting a graft of a performance from Leicester. How could you not? They’ve fought so hard over the last 18 months and with the exuberant home crowd behind them another tell-the-grandkids display could happen for their fans.
While Atletico should be too strong, too experienced and too wily for the English champions, I’d be hugely surprised if Leicester accepted their fate and quietly turned the light out on their Champions League hopes.
While the first game never looked goal-laden, this should have more action with the onus on the home side and it’s to Both Teams To Score that I turn here.
BTTS has paid out in Atleti’s last three away Champions League knockout matches and I’m happy to back it again here at Evens.
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Leicester v Atletico Madrid – Both Teams To Score (Evens Paddy Power)
