RB Leipzig were one of the more entertaining teams to watch in the Champions League last season, as they saw an average of 3.25 goals per game, with both teams scoring in seven out of eight. .

In the group stages, Leipzig managed to score against Man City in both fixtures, including two goals at the Etihad. Both teams to score also landed at the Bernabeu, as the score finished 1-1.

With the likes of Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons, Leipzig boast a plethora of attacking talent, more than capable of scoring against Atletico Madrid here.

Despite their incredible record at the Metropolitano last season in La Liga, both teams to score landed in 13 out of 19 games for Diego Simeone’s men.

Lois Openda has accumulated 13 shots in four games this season, with at least two shots in every game. He has currently accrued the most shots in the Leipzig squad this season, playing at least 86 minutes in every game.

It was a similar story last season, as Openda averaged 3.53 shots per game which was the highest total in the squad.

In the Champions League, Openda managed at least two shots in all five group stage games in which he started – including both legs against Man City. He also managed 5 shots at the Bernabeu.

Openda has already scored three goals in four games this season, as is expected to lead the line for Leipzig at the Metropolitano.

Following the departure of Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons has seen an uptick in involvement under Marco Rose, and has played at least 89 minutes in every game so far. A high expected minutes becomes critical.

In that time, Simons has been fouled 11 times, with at least two fouls drawn in three of his four games.

Last season in the Champions League, Simons drew the most fouls for Leipzig, averaging 3.46 fouls drawn per 90. He was fouled twice in all but one game, drawing just one foul in a tough matchup against Man City at the Etihad.

Simons drew four fouls in respective games against Real Madrid in the previous Champions League campaign.

Since arriving from Real Sociedad, Robin Le Normand has slotted into a role at centre back, and is yet to miss a minute in La Liga. In his first five games for the club, Le Normand has committed nine fouls, with two or more fouls landing in four out of five games. Most recently, he made three fouls against Valencia.

Le Normand also made six fouls in two Nations League games recently during the international break, with three fouls in respective games against Serbia and Switzerland.

He is an extremely aggressive centre back, who will look to stick tight to his opponent – in this game, Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko will be his matchup. Behind Simons, Openda has drawn the most fouls for Leipzig this season.

In La Liga last season, Atletico Madrid boasted an imperious record of 16 wins, one draw and two losses at the Metropolitano.

Last time out in the Champions League, Atletico progressed to the quarter finals before being eliminated by eventual finalists Borussia Dortmund. They were helped to that position by winning all of their home fixtures (they beat Inter Milan on penalties in the round of 16).

Atletico have continued that immense home record into the new campaign, remaining undefeated in their three home games so far.

Leipzig generally performed well away in the Champions League last season, but they lost to Man City at the Etihad, and drew to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. It’s worth noting though, that a draw was enough for Los Blancos to progress.

Tactically, this is a good matchup for Xavi Simons, as he has the ability to fashion his own chances and shoot from distance. In the Bundesliga last season, Simons had 81 shots in total, with 43 from outside the box.

Atletico Madrid come into this game as favourites, and tend to sit deep when they take the lead, favouring counter attacks. In doing so, they invite opponents to take low xG longshots.

Simons has managed at least two shots in three out of four games this season so far. He has seen an uptick in shots following the departure of Dani Olmo, and will be a candidate to take set-pieces going forward. He managed three shots against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu last season, and two shots against Man City at the Etihad.

Leipzig are not a particularly aggressive team in terms of making fouls, averaging just 8.25 fouls per game this season. However, Xavi Simons has been guilty of an infringement in every game so far. That means Simons has made a foul in 17 of his last 18 games in all competitions for Leipzig, in a run stretching back to last season.

Simons made a foul in four out of seven Champions League games last season, including both games against Real Madrid. He also made one foul against Man City at the Etihad.

Simons is an extremely willing presser, and draws a decent matchup against the Atletico Madrid midfield – particularly Rodrigo de Paul and Conor Gallagher who invite pressure and go down easily.

Koke has committed seven fouls in four La Liga starts this season, starting in a defensive midfield role for Diego Simeone. He has fouled twice against Espanyol, Athletic Club and Valencia in each of his last three games. The Spaniard has also made a foul in all four league starts this season.

He also tends to see an uptick in fouls when playing at home. Koke has made a foul in each of his last ten starts in all competitions at the Metropolitano, dating back to last season.

Lois Openda and Xavi Simons have drawn the most fouls for RB Leipzig over the last 30 games, and they should be direct opponents for Koke. This season, Simons has drawn 11 fouls in four games, while Openda has drawn nine fouls in four games.