Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Wednesday 18 March, 8pm GMT – the scene for what feels like a final roll of the European dice for Spurs, who trail Atletico Madrid 5-2 after a chastening first-leg collapse in the Spanish capital. Yet the mood around N17 has shifted palpably since Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool, a result that ended a four-match losing streak under Igor Tudor and offered rare evidence that the Croatian’s message may finally be landing.

Tudor’s side remain mired in a relegation scrap domestically, but the Liverpool point has at least restored a sliver of belief ahead of a tie that looks academically lost. The theory doing the rounds is that the Metropolitano’s heavily-watered surface contributed to the defensive horror show that saw teenage goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky sacrificed after 17 minutes on his 23rd-birthday eve. Whether myth or mitigation, Spurs must now produce the perfect storm: score early, defend resolutely and prey on an Atletico outfit that has drawn its last two Champions League away fixtures at Club Brugge and Galatasaray.

Antoine Griezmann, architect of the first-leg carnage with a goal and two assists, arrives in form: three goals and three assists in his last six starts. The 11-8 quote for him to score anytime may prove conservative if Tottenham’s back line reverts to type. Djed Spence, booked inside four minutes in Madrid and cautioned twice in his last four appearances, is a 5-2 shot to see yellow again after committing nine fouls in five games.

Team-sheet whispers suggest Tudor will persist with the 4-4-2 that frustrated Liverpool: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Simons, Gray, Sarr, Tel; Solanke, Kolo Muani. Cristian Romero returns, Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall drop to the bench, while Richarlison is suspended. For Atleti, Jan Oblak joins Rodrigo Mendoza on the sidelines; Pablo Barrios is doubtful. Diego Simeone is expected to start Musso; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez.

The markets can’t split them: both sides are 6-4 to win, the draw 27-10. Both teams have scored in every Spurs game under Tudor; Atletico have yet to keep an away clean sheet in this season’s competition. The stats point to goals, the circumstances to pride. For Tottenham, the real prize may be momentum rather than progression.

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