The results in the Champions League have generally gone according to script. One game that didn't fall into line though, was the opening leg of the matchup between Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch side only had 10 men on the pitch at the end of the match, but it was still able to hold on for a scoreless draw. It's now completely believable to think that an upset could be in the cards, but it's still going to take a tremendous effort at the Vicente Calderon, a place where the Atleti rarely struggle.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atletico Madrid -300
PSV Eindhoven +1000
Draw +400
Over/Under 2.5 (under -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
There's going to be a point that Atletico Madrid needs to go for it and score some goals. This has been a problem all season long for a team which is conservative by nature. However, if PSV does find the back of the net once in this one, the hosts are going to have to score twice. The Spanish side didn't get a crucial away goal at PSV, and that could come back to haunt.
The total in this game is a half-goal higher than it was in the first leg, but that's completely understandable knowing the stakes. The number to beat is still relatively low at 2.5, and the vig on the under is set at -120.
THE FIRST MEETING
By all accounts, Atletico Madrid did everything it wanted to do in that first leg at Philips Stadion. It only allowed one shot on goal for the match, and the argument could be made that there wasn't really one legitimately good chance for PSV the entire way.
In fact, frustration about going forward ended with Gaston Pereio getting sent off with a quarter of an hour to go. At that point, Eindhoven was basically forced to leave all 10 men behind the ball the rest of the way.
The only problem for the Atleti? They never actually put the ball in the back of the net. They had their chances for sure, perhaps the best of which came right at the outset of the match when Luciano Vietto beat Jeroen Zoet in the PSV net, only to have a defender clear the ball off the line. Antoine Griezmann, arguably the best offensive threat Atletico Madrid brings to the table, had the best game of the attackers, but his best two attempts were both saved.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We did not let anything escape us, it's just we did not score. From the start of the game, we pressed them, we made chances. In the second half, we managed the game. Jan Oblak was not involved in the game. So I got a good feeling from the team. We must be positive ahead of the second leg." – Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone on his team's scoreless draw against PSV in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 affair
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
PSV's form domestically can't be questioned. The Eredivisie has long since been decided this year, and you must accept the team's apology for looking flat in a 1-1 draw against Heerenveen at home on the eve of this match in Spain.
Wait until the starting lineups are revealed to determine what you do with this match. If Fernando Torres, Angel Correa, Griezmann and Vietto are all in the starting lineup together, Atletico is probably the right play, knowing that it's going to go for broke to find goals against a team which can be shaky in defense at the top level. If not though, we'd be inclined to take the goal and a half on the Asian Handicap.
PSV probably isn't going to keep its head about it in this one. It's likely going to have to find the back of the net once, and considering the fact that Atletico Madrid has conceded just three goals in the entire Champions League process this season, that's just not all that likely. Expect to see the Spanish giants advance to the quarterfinals.
Atletico Madrid 2, PSV 0
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven will take place at 3:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Vicente Calderon Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2.
