Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven will look to continue their successful season with a win at home to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League's first knockout round on Wednesday. Having already progressed through a group that Manchester United didn't, Phillip Cocu's side may well be confident of reaching the quarterfinals of Europe's top club competition for the first time since 2007.
However, there's no doubt that the Dutch outfit head in as the underdogs against a very formidable Atlético Madrid outfit. Diego Simeone's side currently sits second in La Liga, topping their cross-town rivals Real. They were beaten Champions League finalists only a couple of seasons ago, and still have a sufficiently strong squad and suitably robust playing style to achieve such a feat once again. They'll be expecting to score at least an away goal or two in their visit to the Netherlands.
Key player: Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)
Atléti's real strength lies in their incredibly industrious playing style, with every single one of Diego Simeone's men willing to cover every blade of grass in both defense and attack. However, that certainly isn't to say it's a team devoid of flair: attacker Antoine Griezmann single-handedly ensures that's not the case. The silky Frenchman has scored 20 goals in all competitions already this season, and four in six Champions League outings. He's a lethal finisher, and will capitalize on any mistakes PSV make at the back.
Recent history
These sides have only clashed twice before, with both meetings coming in the group stages of the 2008 Champions League. On both occasions the Spanish outfit emerged victorious, swatting PSV aside with a 3-0 win away in Eindhoven (in no small part thanks to a Sergio Agüero brace), before following up with a 2-1 home win at the Calderón. A similar aggregate scoreline this time around would come as no great surprise.
PSV Eindhoven injuries and suspensions
Out: Andrés Guardado (hamstring); Maxime Lestienne (calf); Luuk de Jong (suspended). In doubt: None.
Atlético Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (ankle); Augusto Fernández (knee); Tiago (leg); Thomas Partey (thigh). In doubt: None.
PSV will certainly be without midfielder Guardado and attackers Lestienne and de Jong, though otherwise have a full-strength team available. Meanwhile, sidelined for Atléti are midfielders Tiago, Partey and Fernández, as well as winger Ferreira Carrasco.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 9:45 p.m. local
Venue: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands
TV: FOX Sports 2 (US - English); FOX Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN2, RDS (Canada); BT Sport 2 (UK)
Online: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO (US); BT Sport live streaming (UK)