Heartache for Atletico Madrid in May in the Champions League showpiece and they will be looking to go one better in 2015.
The Spanish side lost to their great city rivals Real in the final of 2014 but started this campaign with a shock loss.
The 3-2 reversal in Greece versus Olympiakos has increased the pressure on Diego Simeone and his payers this time around and cannot afford another slip up on Wednesday if they are to progress to the knockout stage once more.
Last term’s runners-up now face Juventus and it is time for the Old Lady to produce their best once more on the European stage.
Juve have dominated Serie A since Jose Mourinho departed Inter Milan but have come up short in the Champions League, latterly the Europa League too, and it is hard to understand why.
However, the Italians were up and running with a hard fought win over Malmo a fortnight ago, Carlos Tevez on target twice in the 2-0 success, and can really put the squeeze on their upcoming hosts.
Juventus have triumphed in each of their 12 matches in the Italian top flight, spanning the past two campaigns, and it is a remarkable 11 clean sheets in that period.
That said, they have struggled badly against the best this competition has to offer and their recent away form on their travels is poor.
A draw in Copenhagen was followed by defeat in the Bernabeu and versus Galatasaray in last season’s group stage and Benfica were also too good in the semi-final first leg of their Europa League clash in Portugal.
In contrast, Atletico’s results when hosting were exceptional last term with Milan and Barcelona beaten in the knockout stage after the Spaniards won all three group matches with ease.
Chelsea emerged unscathed in the last four before succumbing at Stamford Bridge and Simeone’s squad has, if anything, been strengthened this summer despite some high profile departures.
It is four wins and a draw from five La Liga fixtures and Sevilla were dispatched 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon on the weekend.
In a game they arguably need to win, the odds against about the home team doing just that appeals.
3pts Back Atleitco Madrid (vs. Juventus) @ 6/5 (various)