Preview: Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will attempt to seal top spot in Group A when they travel to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Atletico currently sit top of the section on 12 points and could afford to lose by one goal in Turin and still finish as the group leaders.

Juve, meanwhile, sit second on nine points. A draw would be enough for the Italian champions to progress into the knockout round, but defeat to Atletico would leave the door open for third-placed Olympiacos to snatch the final qualification position.

Juventus will enter the match off the back of a nine-game unbeaten run at home in European competition – including wins over Malmo and Olympiacos this season. The Italian side's record against Spanish opposition is also extremely strong, having won 12 of their 20 matches against sides from La Liga, suffering just two defeats in the process.

Atletico, however, have won five of their last eight Champions League matches on the road. They have also won their last four in this competition since losing to Olympiacos on matchday one.

Atletico's record against Italian opposition is slightly mixed, however, with four wins and four defeats from their nine matches. That said, they were 1-0 winners when they welcomed Juventus in the reverse match on matchday two.

Juventus will be unable to call upon Kwadwo Asamoah, Andrea Barzagli or Martin Caceres for the key European clash, with all three still on the sidelines.

The remainder of the first-team squad are available, however, with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente both expected to start as the front two.

Atletico, meanwhile, are expected to be without the services of defenders Miranda and Cristian Ansaldi, who are still struggling with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Mario Mandzukic is fit despite a knock in Atletico's 2-0 win over Elche at the weekend, while Antoine Griezmann could return to the XI in place of Raul Garcia.

Juventus:

Form in Champions League: LWLLWW Form in all competitions: WWWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Evra, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Pereyra; Tevez, Llorente

Atletico:

Form in Champions League: LLWWWW Form in all competitions: LWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Siqueira; Koke, Gabi, Tiago; Turan, Mandzukic, Griezmann

Sports Mole says: 1-1