Atletico Madrid welcome the mighty Bayern Munich on Wednesday night in a massive Champions League Group D encounter, knowing well the winner of this tie is odds-on to top the group.

While the result could swing either way, both teams are serious contenders in Europe, and none will settle for nothing less than a win at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico have had a decent start to the season, winning almost all their games save two of which, one was a commendable draw against Barcelona.

Their win over PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 1 had typical Atleti stamped all over it, and their fiery manager Diego Simeone will want an encore against the Bavarians on Wednesday.

Usually manager Diego Simeone prefers a 4-4-2 formation, but for ‘big’ games, mostly goes for a 4-5-1 formation.

Jan Oblak will start in goal with a backline comprising the likes of Felipe Luis, Diego Godin, Steven Savic and Juanfran in front of him.

In midfield, hot-shots Saul Niguez and Koke are likely to be accompanied by Yannick Carrasco, Nicolas Gaitan and Gabi.

Antoine Griezmann, player extraordinaire, will spearhead this lethal counter-attacking Rojilblancos side.

They have quite a few injury issues, as Jose Gimenez, Tiago Mendes, Augusto Fernandez and Alessio Cerci are confirmed absentees.

Bayern Munich

New coach Carlo Ancelotti has settled in well in Germany, as his side have been unstoppable  this season, winning all of their six games so far. In fact, one of their biggest results was a 5-0 thumping of FC Rostov on Matchday 1.

Bayern play an extremely fluid 4-3-3 formation, and Manuel Neuer is arguably the finest goalkeeper in the world to lead from the back. Javi Martinez and Mats Hummels have only recently started playing together, but have the makings of a great centre-back pairing. Full-backs Philip Lahm and David Alaba are among the few who manage to get that elusive balance of attack and defence almost always.

In midfield, Xabi Alonso, Tiago Alcantara and Alex Vidal are likely to start, but Joshua Kimmich&’s emergence this season does create a selection dilemma for manager Ancelotti.

Incase Douglas Costa is not fit, Franck Ribery will link up with Thomas Muller on either side of Robert Lewandowski to form a fersome attacking trident. 

Bayern have some injury issues, with Hummels and Douglas Costa racing against time to get fit for the Atletico clash. Defender Holger Badstuber is the only long-term absentee for the German champions.

Super Stat: Atletico eliminated Bayern in the semifinals of the Champions League in the 2015-16 season by virtue of the away goals rule!