Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester United double chance

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a heavyweight showdown on Wednesday night, Manchester United will make the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano when they meet Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have opened the 2021/22 campaign with their sights set on defending their La Liga crown, Los Colchoneros find themselves in the midst of a very public struggle. Although Diego Simeone’s men might have claimed a much-needed 3-0 win away at Osasuna over the weekend, it does not cover what has been an inconsistent run of form this season. In a real battle to clinch a top-four finish in Spain’s top-flight this year, Atletico have won just a trio of their last eight matchups across all formats. With their recent issues highlighted by a shocking 1-0 loss at home against leading relegation scrappers Levante earlier in the month, Simeone’s men have gained a reputation for their problems at the back. It should be highlighted, Wednesday’s hosts have managed to record just a single clean sheet at the Wanda Metropolitano since November 20th.

Team News

Suffering a knee injury against Levante last week, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha is not expected to feature on Wednesday night.

While Andreas Griezmann could make his return from an injury issue here, Spanish international Koke is a major doubt.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United might be enduring their own issues this season, the English giants have managed to find a much-welcomed boost over the past week. Claiming a thrilling 4-2 win away at relegation outsiders Leeds a few days ago, Ralf Rangnick’s side have secured back-to-back Premier League victories. Also looking to secure their own top-four finish this season, the former RB Leipzig boss is calling on his squad to build off of their recent momentum. Despite enduring a worrying three-match winless run when returning from January’s brief winter break, Wednesday’s guests have lost just one of their previous nine matchups across all formats. Watching attacking talisman Bruno Fernandes get himself of the scoresheet in United’s back-to-back wins over the past week, Rangnick’s side will be desperate to lay down a real marker when they travel to the Wanda Metropolitano here.

Team News

Missing Manchester United’s back-to-back Premier League wins, striker Edinson Cavani is expected to once again miss out against his former club here.

However, recovering from an ankle injury, defender Eric Bailly should make his return to Rangnick’s squad on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• Atletico Madrid have managed to win just a trio of their last eight matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts have also recorded just a single clean sheet at the Wanda Metropolitano since November 20th.
• Manchester United have lost just one of their previous nine matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to the start of January.
• Four of United’s last five outings have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Atletico Madrid have remarkably failed to win any of their last six Champions League showdowns at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Conclusion

Eventually leaving Elland Road with an action-packed 4-2 win a few days ago, Manchester United should be smelling the chance to cause somewhat of a European upset here. Claiming back-to-back Premier League victories over the past week, the English giants have also lost just a single fixture since the start of January. Appearing to have found a much-needed boost, Rangnick’s men will be looking to cash in on an Atletico Madrid side who have shown their own struggles this season. Despite claiming a routine win against Osasuna over the weekend, Wednesday’s hosts are enduring a La Liga nightmare. Likewise, remarkably failing to win any of their last six straight Champions League showdowns at the Wanda Metropolitano, we’re backing an away double chance here.

Verdict: Manchester United double chance

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet