Champions League Betting Tips

Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United betting tips: Champions League preview, predictions and odds


19 of Atlético's 32 La Liga, Champions League and Supercopa matches this season, 59%, have seen both teams score. Manchester United meanwhile have kept just three clean sheets in their last 12 fixtures.

So, both teams to score is 10/11.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in his career against Atlético, including four hat-tricks. He is 9/2 to break the deadlock and 8/5 to add to his tally.

Match preview

For the first time since a Cup Winners Cup tie in 1991, Atlético Madrid and Manchester United go head-to-head.

Back then in a second round encounter, the Spanish side beat the competition's holders 4-1 on aggregate, featuring a thumping 3-0 victory at the Calderón.

These days, the competition is different, the venue is different and world football in general is unrecognisable, but the desperation to continue in Europe remains the same.

Something that's changed in more recent times is this Atlético de Madrid outfit.

Diego Simeone's side are well-known for being a well-organised, defensive unit, conceding just 25 La Liga goals en route to the title last season.

However, already in this campaign, los Colchoneros have shipped 34 league goals, meaning they have the joint-12th best defence in Spain.

Saturday's impressive 3-0 victory over Osasuna at El Sadar was much needed but it leaves them fifth, below Barcelona on goal difference.

In Europe, they only won twice but that was enough to take second spot in Group B, ousting A.C. Milan and Porto with wins in Italy and Portugal.

In history, Atleti have won ten of their last 12 knockout ties against English opponents, but did lose to Chelsea at this juncture 12 months ago.

Will the Spanish champions build a first leg advantage on home turf?

Manchester United meanwhile have won this competition on three occasions, but have only won in this round twice since their last final 11 years ago.

They topped Group F, above Villarreal, Atalanta and BSC Young Boys, with seven of their 11 points won in the final 11 minutes of matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two stoppage time winners at Old Trafford and a last-minute equaliser in Bergamo.

In the Premier League, Ralf Rangnick's side beat rivals Leeds United 4-2 on Sunday so remain fourth in the table.

However, if this isn't to be a fifth successive tropheyless campaign, Manchester United need be crowned champions of Europe on 28 May.

Both sides are very unpredictable so that should lead to a fascinating encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atlético Madrid team news

Diego Simeone's squad is not at full strength right now and this will certainly hamper their chances in this tie.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's red card at Estádio do Dragão on matchday six means he misses out through suspension.

Elsewhere, at right-back, Daniel Wass joined from Valencia in January, to replace Kieran Trippier, but then got injured on his debut at Camp Nou.

Further forward, Thomas Lemar and Matheus Cunha are also out while Antoine Griezmann was back on the bench on Saturday having last featured on 6 January.

João Félix and Luis Suárez, the strike duo who started and both scored at Osasuna, would both miss the Old Trafford leg if booked.

The good news is that Rodrigo De Paul will return after missing that game in Pamplona due to yellow card accumulation.

At full-back, January signing Reinildo will keep his place on the left with Šime Vrsaljko deputising for Wass.

Despite all the big names, Ángel Correa is the top scorer having netted 12 so far this season.

Manchester United team news

For the visitors, no one is suspended nor is anyone treading the tightrope of being one booking away from missing the return meeting.

David de Gea will start in goal against the side he joined as a 13 year old, hoping for his 19th Champions League clean sheet.

Raphaël Varane, who won 18 trophies across the city with Real Madrid, could be back in after pulling out of the Brighton game in the warm up.

Over at right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka started in the league for only the third time under Rangnick on Sunday, but Diogo Dalot may well return.

Jesse Lingard was another surprise inclusion at Elland Road, so it'll be interesting to see if Marcus Rashford is back in for this one.

Paul Pogba in contrast has started every match since returning from injury so may well keep his place over Fred.

One guaranteed starter is Jadon Sancho, who scored in Spain against Villarreal in November and netted against Atlético during his time with Borussia Dortmund.

Edinson Cavani is a doubt but, either-way, Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line, having only scored more times against Sevilla then Atleti.

The last two occasions Ronaldo's team has met them in a Champions League knockout tie, he's scored a hat-trick in the second leg.

Premier League table:

La Liga table:


Ben Gray

Ben Gray

Arsenal fan – follow them over land and sea (and Leicester); sofa Celtic supporter; a bit of a football '"encyclopedia".


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