Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to book their spot in the semi-final of this year’s Champions League, Manchester City will make the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have managed to find a much-needed boost throughout March, it appears that the reigning Spanish champions have come crashing back down to earth. Long since relinquishing their La Liga crown and showing a host of inconsistencies this season, Head Coach Diego Simeone simply finds his side in a battle to clinch another top-four finish. Eventually getting hit with a deserved 1-0 loss when they made the trip to Manchester last week, Los Colchoneros also failed to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend. In what was another toothless display, Atletico were hit with a worrying 1-0 loss away at relegation scrappers Mallorca, a result that has seen Simeone’s side come under more scrutiny. While Wednesday’s hosts might have continued to impress with their rugged displays at the Wanda Metropolitano, there is no doubt that Atletico face a huge task here.

Team News

After serving a suspension, Belgium international Yannick Carrasco is set to make his return to Simeone’s matchday squad here.

However, Wednesday’s hosts will once again be without the duo of Hector Herrera and Jose Gimenez.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have been disappointed to have only collected a point against Liverpool last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side are enjoying quite the purple patch. Still holding a one-point buffer at the top of the Premier League table and sat in pole position to reclaim their domestic crown, the Sky Blues will simply be looking to finish off the job here. Rightfully claiming a 1-0 win when they welcomed Atletico to the Etihad last week, the former Bayern Munich boss finds his side in the midst of a nine-match unbeaten run across all formats. Breezing past Sporting Lisbon last month thanks to an eye-catching first-leg 5-0 romp on foreign soil, City should also be boosted by their continued success on the road. Last seen outside of Manchester picking up a 2-0 victory against relegation scrappers Burnley, it should be noted that Wednesday’s guests are unbeaten in each of their last 12 contests away from the Etihad, a run that stems all the way back to December 7th.

Team News

Still struggling with a hamstring injury, Ruben Dias will not feature on Wednesday night as he inches closer to a return.

Finally serving his suspension, England international Kyle Walker is set to make his return on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Etihad last week, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 victory in the first-leg.
• The Sky Blues are unbeaten in each of their last 12 contests away from the Etihad, a run that stems all the way back to December 7th.
• Likewise, City have kept a clean sheet in six of their previous seven fixtures away from the Etihad.
• Atletico Madrid have failed to score more than a single strike in four of their last five matchups across all formats.
• Shockingly, Simeone’s men have failed to win any of their last seven straight Champions League contests at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Conclusion

While Manchester City might have eventually had to settle for a single point against Liverpool over the weekend, Guardiola’s men should be looking to extend on their Champions League adventure here. Picking up a 1-0 win when they welcomed Atletico to the Etihad last week, Wednesday’s hosts will know that they face a huge task here. Coming off the back of a 1-0 loss away at relegation scrappers Mallorca, Los Colchoneros have also shown a host of European issues on home soil. Remarkably, failing to win any of their previous seven Champions League matchups at the Wanda Metropolitano, we’re backing an away victory for the Premier League giants.

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet