Astana vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Atletico Madrid will look to take a big step toward qualification for the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday when they face Astana of Kazakhstan in their fourth group-stage match.

Diego Simeone's team have taken six points from nine so far, including a dominant 4-0 win over the same opposition on Matchday 3, so another win would put them on the verge of the last 16. The manager is taking nothing for granted, though, and as reported by the club's Twitter feed, he has pinpointed this as a must-win fixture.

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.@Simeone: "I have no doubt that, of the three matches that are left, this is the most decisive." #AstanaAtleti #UCL pic.twitter.com/XeZyD46wNK

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 2, 2015"

Atletico have been in good form for much of the campaign but dropped two points on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Coruna after dominating the first half but sitting off in the second. It's a variation of play in their performances that has been seen a number of times; on occasions such as against Sevilla and Real Sociedad, it paid off with counter-attacking goals to seal the match, but against Depor and Villarreal, Atleti were unable to get going again after conceding.

Simeone, per FourFourTwo, admitted his players need to continue playing higher up the pitch, defensively as well as beginning their attacks, to get the best out of the side's major talents.

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It's true that the team stopped doing the things it did in the first half [pressing high, attacking frequently], which it did very well, and that is obviously the path we should follow. To continue with this [approach] gives us chances to score and to attack far away from our goal. We have to keep in mind the first half and continue improving. I'm leaving with a good feeling about the team, we had a very good first half but in the second half we were too [cautious].

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If Simeone takes anything from the first match against Astana, it will be that his side can pick apart the Kazakhs and quickly pass through their defence. The impressive chance creation in the reverse game will give Atleti confidence they can again take the points and should also give Simeone the belief that attack is the best way to approach the game—in selection of personnel as much as tactics.

Date: Tuesday, November 3

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/8 a.m. ET

Venue: Astana Arena, Astana 

TV Info: BT Sport Europe (UK), Fox Deportes, ESPN3, Fox Sports 1 (USA)

Live Stream: BT Sport Live Streaming (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (USA)

The Teams

Astana realistically know need a victory in this match if they are to have any unexpected hope of qualification, not only for the last 16 of the Champions League but also the Europa League in the new year. That would come with a third-place finish in the group, but with only one point from three games so far, it's an upward struggle for the Kazakh side.

A defeat at home in this match will leave them needing results against both Galatasaray and Benfica, barring a complete collapse from the Turkish side in their last three matches.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid are joint-top of the table with Benfica but will expect to take a big step toward securing qualification with three points after comprehensively beating Astana last time out. A nine-point haul from four matches will see Atleti on the verge of the last 16 once more, though the slip-up at home to Benfica means the Portuguese club stay edged ahead based on head-to-head results if they take a win at home to Galatasaray.

Team News

Astana have no plans to change either approach or team structure, with manager Stanimir Stoilov saying his team has only one way of playing, per FourFourTwo.

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No, we only have a plan A. We know that Atletico are strong, but we will play to our maximum. Our plan is to play football. I have already mentioned the Champions League, the league and the cup but my players are ready physically. We will be ready mentally as well—we will fight to the end on all three fronts.

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Saturday saw them win 1-0 at home to Irtysh, their fifth straight victory domestically.

As for Atleti, while a win would be a big step toward qualification, it would be no surprise to see Diego Simeone rotate plenty of his star names. The long journey, artificial surface and winnable run of Liga matches coming up could see him protect certain players and give others the chance to impress.

A large squad has travelled for the game but does not include Luciano Vietto, who recently returned from appendicitis. Angel Correa is also not included.

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Squad list (1/2): Moyá, Oblak, Godín, Filipe, Siqueira, Savic, Gámez, Lucas, Juanfran, Giménez, Tiago, Koke... #UCL #AstanaAtleti

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 1, 2015"

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Squad list (2/2): Óliver, Gabi, Saúl, Carrasco, Thomas, Griezmann, Fernando Torres and Jackson Martínez #UCL #AstanaAtleti

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 1, 2015"

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.@LucianoVietto starts to work with his teammates, taking his gradual return to the group a step further pic.twitter.com/SZBELzTrTz

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 1, 2015"

Possible Lineups

Astana (4-1-4-1): Nenad Eric; Branko Ilic, Evgeni Postnikov, Marin Anicic, Dmitri Shomko; Roger Canas; Bauyrzhan Dzholchiyev, Georgi Zhukov, Nemanja Maksimovic, Foxi Kethevoama; Junior Kabananga.

Atletico (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Jesus Gamez, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Guilherme Siqueira; Oliver, Gabi, Saul, Yannick Carrasco; Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann.

Player to Watch: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

Atletico will want to win the game, of course, but after a defensive error cost them a win in their last game, they will have to firstly make sure they are tight at the back this time out—usually a staple feature of their play. Diego Godin has not been as dominant as he can be this term, so look to him to be a leader in an important match.

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. @Torres: "I think that defensively, the team is having a great season." #AstanaAtleti #GoAtleti #UCL pic.twitter.com/PPYComJHTO

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 2, 2015"

Prediction: Astana 0-3 Atletico

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