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Atletico Madrid will take on Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, with the hosts looking for their first European points of the season.
For the visitors, the match could have an impact beyond the context of the UEFA Champions League, with Michael Carrick under severe pressure.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd key stats
- Man Utd have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Man Utd haven't won an away match this season.
- More than two goals have been scored in each of Atletico Madrid's last eight away matches.
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd preview: The end of the road for Carrick?
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd — Tale of the Tape
| Atletico Madrid | vs | Man Utd |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (La Liga) | Position | 13th (Premier League) |
| 9 | Points | 6 |
| 18 | Goals For | 9 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 9 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 16th |
Everyone involved with Atletico Madrid will be licking their lips ahead of this one, with Manchester United badly struggling for positive results and performances this season.
The Spanish side, meanwhile, have enjoyed one of their most productive starts to a season of the 2020s, entering the match in second place in La Liga, after winning six, drawing one and losing one of their opening eight league matches.
While Diego Simeone will be disappointed that his side lost their Champions League opener against Liverpool, the away trip to Anfield is their toughest tie of the league phase on paper, and should find life easier against Man Utd.
Unlike the best teams of the Simeone era in Madrid, this current crop of Atleti players are focused on attacking football. They have scored 11 goals across their last four matches, at an average of nearly three goals per game.
For the visit of United, Simeone could have a full-strength squad to select from, with Pablo Barrios the only injury doubt.
As for the visitors, this game may well turn out to be the final one that Michael Carrick takes charge of.
While there are no concrete reports that a change is imminent, the club's performances this season have been so lacklustre and uninspiring that a decision cannot be too far away, barring a complete change of pace.
The Red Devils have won just two matches all season – Ipswich and Sabah at Old Trafford – with the latter victory giving them some breathing space in Europe. Whether that helps the players relax and perform better in Madrid remains to be seen, but the evidence for that theory is lacking.
Carrick has shown little appetite to experiment in midfield so far this season, but Carlos Baleba will be pushing for a start on Tuesday night. Benjamin Sesko, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt are all out injured.
Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd form guide & betting tips
| Atletico Madrid | vs | Man Utd |
|---|---|---|
LWWWW |
Form | WLLDD |
| 12 | Goals For | 8 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 6 |
L |
UEFA Champions League | W |
Whispers predicts: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Man Utd
Atletico Madrid are in much better form than Man Utd, whose away record is dismal this season. A home win is best priced at 19/20. Maximise your potential winnings with a selection of our best free bet codes.
Considering how potent Atletico Madrid have been this season, over 2.5 goals at 1/2 looks like a smart bet on Tuesday night.
Alex Baena has scored four goals in nine appearances for Atletico Madrid this season. Baena to score anytime has been best priced at 12/5.
> Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: High
> Atletico Madrid to win at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: High
> Alex Baena to score anytime at 12/5 (3.40) | Likelihood: Medium