Reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, will square off against Juventus on Wednesday evening at the Estadio Vincente Calderon, in their Champions League group stage fixture.
Coach Diego Simeone will be looking to get his side a positive result following their 3-2 loss to Olympiakos on matchday one.
Meanwhile the Bianconeri will be seeking to further their positive start to their campaign after a 2-0 victory against Swedish club Malmo.
The clash will mark the first ever meeting of the two sides in this competition.
The Spaniards have the home advantage where they boast an excellent record against Italian opposition. They have recorded six wins and three losses including a 4-1 victory against AC Milan in last season’s round of 16.
Indeed the Old Lady have not fared well in Spain in the past. Their last victory on Spanish soil was a 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the 2008/09 season.
Despite this, coach Massimiliano Allegri’s side enter the match with a renewed confidence following a resounding 3-0 win over Atalanta in the Serie A, which saw new signing Alvaro Morata score his first goal for the Bianconeri.
Argentinian International Carlos Tevez, has been in fine form for the club, scoring six goals in the last four games, including his double against La Dea.
Atletico are also coming off the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Sevilla in La Liga, with both Raul Jimenez and Saul Niguez also recording their first goals for the club.
The match saw the return of stellar Croatian forward, Mario Mandzukic, after he suffered a broken nose in the Olympiakos game.
Both clubs have suffered injury setbacks with Uruguayan international, Cristian Rodriguez being sidelined for the Rojiblancos since September 8 due to a thigh grievance.
Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli are yet to play for the Old Lady this season. Defender Martin Caceres joins the casualty list with a thigh injury, while Arturo Vidal is expected to be rested due to ongoing knee problems.
Allegri is expected to make a few changes with Patrice Evra and Roberto Pereya expected to come into the squad.
The man to watch will be Claudio Marchisio, who assumes an important role in the absence of Pirlo. The Rojiblancos must not allow the Italian midfielder too much time or space on the ball as his speed and critical passing can create havoc for opposition defences.
Conversely, Simeone will have a nearly full list to select his starting line-up. Summer signing and French international, Antoine Griezmann, may also be chosen in the starting 11.
Juventus must keep an eye on Mandzukic who will be rearing to make a winning contribution for the Spaniards. Young gun Koke has also been in-form for the Rojiblancos. His attacking prowess and pin-point passing could cause problems for the Bianconeri.
Expected Starting XIs
Atletico Madrid: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Griezmann, Turan; Mandzukic
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Evra; Pereyra, Marchisio, Pogba; Tevez, Llorente
