Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of the Champions League Group G clash between Atletico Madrid and Austria Vienna. The venue is the Estadio Vicente Calderon, and stay tuned on this page for all the action live as it happens.

Hosts Atletico will head into the encounter as firm favourites. Diego Simeone’s side have won all three of their Group G matches so far and will progress to the last 16 of the competition with maximum points tonight. The Rojiblancos are in sensational form at the moment – both in La Liga and in the Champions League – and it is really hard to see beyond a home victory tonight.

Meanwhile, visitors Vienna know that it is imperative for them to register a victory in the Spanish capital this evening. Nenad Bjelica’s side are languishing at the bottom of the group with just a point from three matches and went down 3-0 at home in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.

The other Group G match has just finished and I can confirm that it has ended in a draw. Zenit St Petersburg and Porto have shared the spoils in Russia with a 1-1 draw. Full match report here.

Back to our game... The teamsheet has been released and I will type it shortly here. But I can tell you now that David Villa has been left on the bench for Atletico, while Diego Costa starts.

ATLETICO MADRID XI: Courtois; Godin, Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Miranda; Tiago, Koke, Raul García, Gabi; Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa

Subs: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Insua, Cristian Rodriguez, Josuha Guilavogui, Oliver Torres, Villa

AUSTRIA VIENNA XI: Lindner; Ortlechner, Ramsebner, Leovac, Koch; Simkovic, Mader, Holland, Royer, Murg; Kienast

Subs: Grunwald, Rogulj, Suttner, Dilaver, Okotie, Jun, Hosiner

So the big team news from Atletico’s perspective is that Villa drops to the bench with Costa leading the line with Adrian Lopez. Raul Garcia comes in the Spanish striker’s place. Both Mario Suarez and Arda Turan are out for the hosts with injury.

Meanwhile for Vienna, only five players from the reverse fixture have retained their places for tonight’s match. Alexander Gorgon and Marko Stankovic are out with injury, while Pascal Grunwald returns from his injury to take a place on the bench. The visitors will be banking their hopes on forward Roman Kienast, who scored three times at the weekend.

Not that Atletico are a team who concede freely. The former Spanish champions have conceded just two goals so far in Group G and just once in the opening 30 minutes this season. Atletico have also won eight of their nine European home matches under Simeone, while Vienna have yet to find the net in the group stage of the Champions League.

Atletico will also have an added motivation to win tonight. Given that Zenit and Porto drew in Russia earlier this evening, a victory against Vienna will ensure that the Madrid outfit win Group G. This would mean that they can take it easy in Europe until February.

However, there can be no place for complacency for Atletico. Austria Vienna are one of the biggest clubs of Austria and won the domestic league last season with a record points total (82). They do have the potential to spring a surprise or two, and will be more than happy with a point at the Calderon. So the hosts need to be on top of their game right from the start.

Around 30 minutes remain until kickoff between Atletico Madrid and Austria Vienna, and the anticipation is building. Atletico are proving week after week that this season they can challenge for the La Liga title and they have taken that form into the Champions League. It would be premature to suggest that they can conquer Europe this season, but they have been successful in the Europa League in recent years and cannot be written off.

Diego Costa is undoubtedly the start of this very attack-minded Atletico Madrid side. The Brazil-born striker, who recently committed his international future to Spain, has scored 13 goals in 12 La Liga matches and two in the Champions League this season. He will be expected to bag at least one more goal tonight as well.

And it’s not that Atletico are a one-man team. Everywhere you look, there’s quality. In goal, Thibaut Courtois has emerged as the best young keeper in the world and arguably the best in La Liga. Diego Godin has been an absolute rock in defence and so has Filipe Luis, while Koke is one of the most promising young midfielders in recent years.

Interestingly, this is Austria Vienna’s first experience of the group stages of the Champions League and so they will be desperate to get their first goal of the campaign. Who knows, if they can break the duck, they could go on to create a major upset!

Around 15 minutes until kickoff in Madrid where Atletico will be looking to make it four wins out of four in the Champions League. It would take a brave man to bet against it.

PREDICTION I find it hard to see beyond an Atletico Madrid win. They are in full throttle and should pick up a comfortable victory against an Austria Vienna side who are yet to find their feet in Europe’s elite club competition. However, tonight could be the night when the visitors open their scoring in the Champions League. 3-1 to Atletico.

Some more interesting facts for you. Atletico have never won more than three matches in a row in the Champions League, so a victory tonight would be a new club record. If they do book their place in the last 16, then they would be doing so for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign.

With just over five minutes to go before kickoff, let’s take a look at what the two managers had to say prior to the contest.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone: “We are striving to be competitive in every match and to do that we have to take it day by day. Diego Godin's continuity in the team has been great for the team; he and the other regulars help the side's cohesion. Supporters feel happier when they see the same players in the team for a long time. It generates a structure, an identity and a future for the team. I thank Bjelica for his compliments and I wish him all the best for the rest of the competition. Austria are working at a good level and were unfortunate that we were so good in the first 30 minutes at their place. I can see that Atletico's work is highly respected in Europe. I'm part of the club and I feel happy. But without further effort, endeavour and team work we cannot continue on this path.”

Austria Vienna coach Nenad Bjelica: “I've already said that Simeone is the best coach around at the moment. He has the trophies to prove it. They are doing superbly in the Spanish Liga and have got three victories in UEFA Champions League. We must be focused from minute one and not allow our opponents any room because they have very dangerous forwards. Atletico took advantage of our worst 20 to 25 minutes of the season in the home match. If we can go long enough without conceding a goal, we will have more opportunities to do something good. We will have to do our best and be lucky.”

The pre-match formalities have taken place and the famous Champions League anthem has been played. Now let the game begin!

KICKOFF And the match is underway...

There has been a rather slow-ish start to the encounter as the two sides size up each other. The home fans are in loud voice and have been singing since the first second!

Good recovery tackle from Tiago as he blocks Roman Kienast, who found himself with space ahead of Diego Godin. Atletico have yet to make an attacking move in this contest.

Well, Atletico are showing signs now of moving forward and taking the game by the scruff of the neck. However, Vienna are – perhaps surprisingly – actually looking comfortable on the ball and are pushing forward.

Atletico drive forward in droves but eventually Koke’s shot is high and wide. Adrian Lopez and Juanfran combine on the right and the ball then finds itself with Filipe Luis, but Koke’s final effort from the edge of the area is largely disappointing. I have yet to see much of Diego Costa tonight.

Atletico have settled into their usual rhythm now as Juanfran earns his side a corner after preserving with the ball.

Atletico Madrid break the deadlock in the 11th minute and it is Miranda who finds the target. The corner is floated in and Koke’s initial header is blocked, but the ball falls to the Brazilian defender, who makes no mistake from just yards out despite being surrounded by a host of bodies.

So Atletico are on their way to the last 16 of the Champions League. They have not really been impressive in this match and have yet to fully reveal their colours, but they are already 1-0 up. Sign of a side who could go all the way? Maybe, just maybe...

The contest has gone back into being a midfield battle just as it was before Miranda’s goal. It’s been a largely scrappy affair so far, to be honest.

CHANCE! Brilliant counter-attacking move from Atletico that eventually sees Filipe with the ball on the left. He slides it to Raul Garcia, whose final effort from the edge of the Vienna area goes wide and does not trouble goalkeeper Heinza Lindner.

CHANCE! Wonderful footwork from Diego Costa and it is a shame that he could not score. The 25-year-old striker is surrounded by a host of white shirts but he manages to keep the ball and then shoot on target from inside the area, but Lindner makes a good save.

The Atletico Madrid supporters at the Vicente Calderon are in full volume now. Their side are 1-0 up and they have now impressed themselves upon the match – the only way is up, as far as the Atletico fans are concerned.

CHANCE! Austria Vienna come agonisingly close to making it 1-1 but Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a sensationally brilliant save. Thomas Murg cuts inside from the right and then shoots on goal, but the Belgian keeper races off his line to make a tremendous save.

Now Daniel Royer tries his luck from 30 yards but his attempt is not on target. It was a disappointing effort from the Vienna man really.

Atletico Madrid make it 2-0 and it is Raul Garcia who scores. Diego Costa finds himself with the ball on the right flank and he floats in a cross that his teammate heads home with the back of his head.

CHANCE! Diego Costa shoots a scream at the Vienna goal that forces a wonderful fingertip save from Lindner. It’s all one-way traffic at the moment as Atletico have taken full control of the proceedings at the Calderon.

Costa wins a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the Vienna penalty area as he is pulled down Marin Leovac. However, Diego Simeone’s side fail to make it count. Atletico still lead Vienna 2-0.

Diego Costa started the match quietly but he has now fully exploded. He is creating all sorts of problems for the Vienna defence, popping up on the right flank one moment and then on the left the next. Sensational!

Lovely ball in again from Juanfran from the right flank as he floats in a brilliant cross, but Vienna clear it this time. If I were to choose the most outstanding player in the contest so far, I would go for Juanfran.

Ten minutes remain in this first half but one gets the feeling that the match has already been decided. Atletico are in cruise control, thanks to goals from Miranda and Raul Garcia, and are on their way to the Champions League last 16 as Group G winners.

I don’t remember Vienna going anywhere near Courtois since the 22nd minute. Diego Costa is looking absolutely unplayable for the visiting defence, who seem to be hanging on for their dear lives at the Calderon. Having said that, Atletico are still not in top gear – yet they lead 2-0. How scary is that for the opposition!

Awful, awful effort from Kienast from distance. Atletico are dispossessed and the Vienna striker finds himself with the ball, but his shot from 35 yards is nowhere near target. It was easily the worst shot of the match so far!

Two minutes to half time in this one-sided encounter. Atletico lead Vienna 2-0 in the Spanish capital.

Filipe Luis makes it 3-0 to Atletico Madrid on the stroke of half time and takes the game beyond any lingering doubt. There was a hint of offside about the goal, though. A cross is drilled in from the right and Lindner makes a good save from the shot, but it falls kindly to the full-back, who slots home from close range.

The referee blows the half-time whistle and brings the first-half proceedings to a close. It has been very much a one-sided effort with Atletico Madrid ruling the roost. Miranda gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute from what was their first real chance of the match and Raul Garcia headed them into a 2-0 advantage in the 25h minute. And Filipe Luis made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time after collecting a rebound from just yards out.

If it stays this way, then Atletico will secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Group G winners, with two games to spare.

Hosts Atletico started the contest slowly but once they got their opening goal, they started to take full control. Diego Costa has been an absolute nuisance for the visiting Vienna, who have struggled to cope with Atletico’s passing and movement all night. Juanfran’s crosses from the right have been tremendous, while Filipe Luis has been afforded too much space and time to gallop down the other wing.

Let’s quickly run through the stats of the first half. Atletico have taken nine shots, four of which have been on target. They have had 65% of the possession, five corners and goalkeeper Courtois has been forced to make just one save.

Meanwhile, Austria Vienna have had the ball for just 35% of the time in the opening 45 minutes, have had just one of their six shots on target and have yet to muster a corner.

The two sets of players are now coming out onto the pitch as the second half will get underway in a few moments.

KICKOFF Atletico Madrid get the second half underway. They lead 3-0 from the first half.

SUBSTITUTION Atletico Madrid have made one change at the break. Adrian Lopez has been replaced by Oliver Torres, who will turn 19 on Sunday. He is a very talented midfielder – very good on the ball and with wonderful vision.

The Atletico Madrid fans are singing loudly as expected at the start of the second half. They know that after 45 more minutes, they will reach the last 16 of the Champions League as Group G winners, while their cross-town rivals Real Madrid are still not certain of their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

CHANCE! Diego Costa squanders a good chance as he fails to collect a Filipe Luis cross from the left. The striker was probably trying to control the ball with his first touch but it was too heavy even for Oliver Torres, who was lurking on the left side of the Vienna penalty box.

CHANCE! Diego Costa is getting desperate to bag a goal for himself now, as he shoots on target but is foiled by a good save from Heinza Lindner. It was a wonderful and weaving run from the striker from the left, I have to say.

SUBSTITUTION Double change for Austria Vienna. Thomas Murg and Tomas Simkovic are replaced by Markus Suttner and Philipp Hosiner respectively.

Free kick to Atletico from a dangerous position on the right... Koke takes it with his right foot, drives it at the near post and hits the side-netting.

SUBSTITUTION Simeone makes another Atletico Madrid change. Tiago comes off for Josua Guilavogui, who makes only his second appearance for the Spanish giants.

Guilavogui tries to make an instant impact as he takes an attempt with the outside of his boot, but the ball flies wide of the Vienna goal.

Half an hour remain in this match and the momentum is all in Atletico’s favour as they lead their opponents 3-0. Speaking of momentum, the pace in the second half has not exactly been electric, for obvious reasons. Vienna have simply given up on even trying to score a goal – they have not found the target once in the Champions League so far this season.

Free kick to Atletico on the edge of the Vienna penalty area. The pace has dropped in this contest, but this could create an opening for the home side...

The delivery is headed on target by Raul Garcia, but Lindner flaps at it and clears it away. The assistant referee already had his flag up for offside, though.

SUBSTITUTION Diego Simeone makes the final change of the night for Atletico Madrid. Uruguay international Cristian Rodriguez comes on for Koke, who has not really been very impressive tonight (or at least as good as he is normally is), I have to admit. However, he goes off to a rapturous applause.

SUBSTITUTION Austria Vienna also make their third and final substitution of the match. Emir Dilaver replaces Florian Mader for the final 22 or so minutes.

YELLOW CARD Christian Ramsebner gets the (dubious) honour of being the first player to be booked this evening for a rather clumsy and unnecessary challenge on Diego Costa.

Good recovery defending from the Vienna back-line as Atletico go on yet another counter-attacking move with Raul Garcia and Costa both nvolved. The hosts earn a corner that Juanfran delivers, but it is hacked clear.

CHANCE! Cristian Rodriguez forces Heinza Lindner into a desperate save as he strikes a ferocious shot with his left foot on goal. The rebound eventually comes to Juanfran on the right but his effort goes widely wide.

PENALTY! The referee points to the penalty spot as Cristian Rodriguez is fouled on by Manuel Ortlechner inside the area just as he is about to shoot on goal. Chance for Atletico to go 4-0 up.

YELLOW CARD Vienna captain Ortlechner is shown the yellow card for that challenge.

PENALTY SAVE! Diego Costa steps up to take the spot kick but it is saved by Heinza Lindner, who dives to his left to keep out what is a weak effort.

Costa must be gutted not to have scored from 12 yards and he does look very, very disappointed indeed. He has done everything right tonight except score.

Costa throws his gloves to the sidelines. Perhaps he is frustrated, perhaps he is just warm...

CHANCE! Once again Lindner keeps out a close-range effort from Costa, who must be wondering if this is going to be one of ‘those’ nights.

Ten minutes remain in this contest. The result is pretty much certain now, what remains to be seen is if Costa can score.

CHANCE! Once again Costa goes solo as he weaves in between players from the left but just as he is about to pull the trigger, he is dispossessed of the ball.

Diego Costa finally has his goal and how! It is Raul Garcia who creates it for him as he runs down the right and lays it for him inside Vienna penalty area, and the striker confidently fires home past Lindner.

The relief and jubilation on Costa’s face was palpable. He has been looking for that goal all evening and even failed to convert a penalty, but he can now relax and enjoy the moment.

CHANCE! Costa is at it again as he curls an effort just wide of the Vienna far post from outside the box after collecting a pass from Filipe Luis.

CHANCE! Now Oliver Torres tries his luck from outside the Vienna box after being fed by Rodriguez, but he fails to keep his effort on target. Atletico hungry for more goals still!

Just two minutes of normal time remain in this contest.

One minute of injury time has been added.

It’s all over at the Vicente Calderon where Atletico Madrid have defeated Austria Vienna 4-0 to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Group G winners. Goals from Miranda, Raul Garcia and Filipe Luis put the home side 3-0 up at half time, and Diego Costa scored his side’s fourth in the 82nd minute. This after the striker had failed to convert a penalty in the 75th minute.

The results means that Atletico maintain their perfect record in Europe’s elite club competition with four wins out of four and win Group G with two matches to spare. It was yet another convincing and superb display from Diego Simeone’s side, who continue to amaze everyone with their quality and style.

Thank you very much for joining us here on Sports Mole for tonight’s match. I hope that you enjoyed our coverage. Have a good night, it’s goodbye from me for now.