Arsenal 10/11 to beat Atletico Madrid in Thursdays International Champions Cup clash

Competition: International Champions Cup

Market: Arsenal win

Odds: 10/11 @ Bet 365

Arsenal will step up their pre-season campaign when they take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the International Champions Cup in Singapore. The two sides meet again just three months after Atletico dashed the Gunners’ Europa League hopes in the semi-final stages of the competition in May, ending Arsene Wenger’s dream of a perfect goodbye in the process.

Starting with Unai Emery’s new Arsenal side, coming off the back of an 8-0 win over non-league Boreham Wood last week, where star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick, many Gunners fans are excited for the new season. While Atletico are likely to name a weakened squad for Thursday, Emery is once again likely to name a full strength team that will include new signings Bernd Leno, Sokratis, and Matteo Guendouzi. Given the gulf in class between the two squads, we’re backing The Gunners to come away with the win in their inaugural International Champions Cup matchup.

As for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side, after an impressive year in La Liga that saw them come runners-ups to Barcelona and also saw them lift the Europa League crown, the Argentinian coach has been shortlisted for FIFA’s Manager of the Year award. While many expect the defensive masters to enjoy another successful season in Spain, The Red and Whites will be without the likes of full backs Lucas Hernandez and Sime Vrsaljko and star striker Antoine Griezmann who are still enjoying a break after this summers World Cup finals. With £70 million signing Thomas Lemar also set to be rested, Simeone will name an inexperienced side who could struggle on Thursday.

Bet: Arsenal to beat Atletico Madrid in Thursdays International Champions Cup clash 10/11 @ Bet 365