Liverpool start the Champions League season against Atletico Madrid. Forecast, 17.09.25

Facts Team 1 Team 2

Liverpool is one of the top favorites in the premier class

The Reds already won the group stage of the UEFA Champions League last season. Although they lost on penalties to Paris St. Germain in the round of 16, we now know that Liverpool were one of the few teams who could hold a candle to the winners. This season, they are once again among the big favorites for the title. A few years ago, they would probably not have been heavy favorites against Atletico Madrid, but after this summer of transfers and the results so far this season, anything other than a win would be very surprising. Although their season so far has not been perfect, as they were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, they have won every game since matchday 1 in the Premier League. They are therefore unsurprisingly top of the league table. The only team to win all 4 games and have a goal difference of 9:4. After initial difficulties, particularly in defense, they have kept a clean sheet in their last two games.

New option in the offensive

Liverpool FC managed to sign Alexander Isak on the last day of the transfer window. The Swede is the most expensive new signing this summer and now also the 2nd most valuable player in the Reds' squad with a market value of € 120 million. He was not allowed to play at the weekend due to a training backlog, but this is set to change in the Champions League. Coach Arne Slot has already indicated that he could make his comeback against Atletico on Wednesday.

Atletico Madrid prevented a complete false start

The Rojiblancos got off to a very slow start to the new season and remained winless in the first three matchdays in Spain. Last weekend, however, they managed a small turnaround, as they won 2:0 in the top match against the still unbeaten FC Villarreal. These 3 points saw them climb up to 11th place in the table. The team has now been unbeaten for 3 games, having previously drawn 1-1 against FC Elche and Deportivo Alaves. Only on matchday 1 against Espanyol Barcelona did they lose 2:1 away from home. The offense managed to score at least one goal in every game. The defense is not yet solid, but did not concede a goal for the first time in the top match. Another piece of good news: new signing Nico Gonzalez scored on his starting debut in the 2-0 win against Villarreal.

Atletico have regular duels with Liverpool

In recent years, these two top clubs have repeatedly met in the Champions League. In the 2019/20 season, Atletico prevailed in the round of 16 after extra time. Back then, they even won 2:3 at Anfield Road. Two years later, they met in the group stage. The Reds won both matches and recorded a 2:0 victory at home.

Liverpool are always favorites at home - Our prediction

The Reds are not always convincing with their performance at the moment, but with the quality in their squad they simply know how to win games. Atletico look anything but settled this year and have only managed one win this season. For us, the hosts are therefore the clear favorites to win. Atletico will once again be very solid defensively and won't concede much. Liverpool have also only scored one goal in each of their last 2 league games. We therefore believe that less than 2.5 goals will be scored.