Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Samuel Fabre

Mon 9 March 2026 21:00, UK

Tottenham Hotspur visit Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

Spurs finished fourth in the league phase of the competition, and it was their European results that kept Thomas Frank in a job for so long.

However, Tottenham have lost their last five Premier League games, with last Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace increasing the pressure on Frank’s successor Igor Tudor.

Atletico Madrid beat Real Sociedad 3-2 on Saturday, and Diego Simeone will be licking his lips at the prospect of a favourable draw in the Champions League.

Here is everything you need to know when Tottenham face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Form guide

Atletico Madrid (last six games all comps): W L W W W D

Tottenham (last six games all comps): L L L L L D

Head-to-head

Tottenham Hotspur have faced Atletico Madrid just once before in European competition, beating them 5-1 in the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup final.

When it comes to their record against Spanish opposition, Tottenham have only lost one of their last five Champions League meetings, which was a 4-2 home defeat to Barcelona in the 2018-19 group stage.

Atletico Madrid have progressed from two of their three previous Champions League last-16 ties against English clubs, beating Liverpool in 2019-20 and Manchester United in 2021-22, while losing the other to Chelsea in the 2020-21.

However, Los Colchoneros have only won one of their last 10 Champions League meetings with English clubs, which should give Tudor a lot of hope.

Team news and predicted lineups

Although they still have nine players injured, Cristian Romero will return to the Tottenham team after serving a four-match suspension in the league.

Both Yves Bissouma and Conor Gallagher could also return to the starting line-up after Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr failed to impress against Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Xavi Simons could give Spurs another level of creativity in attacking midfield, and Mathys Tel might drop out of the side as a result.

As for Atletico Madrid, Rodrigo Mendoza came off at half time against Real Sociedad due to an ankle problem, meaning the 20-year-old is a doubt for the first leg.

However, Pablo Barrios could return to full fitness in time, and Simeone’s side have no other injury problems to deal with.

Atletico Madrid predicted XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez

Tottenham predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Romero, Gray; Bissouma, Gallagher, Simons; Kolo Muani, Solanke

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Tottenham

It feels as though Tottenham’s losing run might not end at the moment.

Tudor is already on thin ice with the fans, especially as relegation from the Premier League looks increasingly likely.

While this game isn’t a priority of Spurs, they still need to give a good showing of themselves in Europe’s elite competition.

Tudor will name a strong side to face Atletico Madrid, but the players probably won’t have enough quality to break down their stern defence.

Therefore, a 2-0 win for the Spaniards is the most likely outcome, which would leave Tottenham with a mountain to climb in the second leg.