Atletico Madrid were beaten 2-1 at Anfield in their Champions League group opener although we can expect improved fortunes when they clash with Manchester United. Since being beaten by Liverpool, Simeone's side have claimed three successive wins including a victory against Real Madrid and we're surprised that they're odds-against for the victory.
United thrashed Sabah in an easy European opener a few weeks ago, although that was followed by successive defeats before a draw at Fulham. Michael Carrick is now under pressure to get things right after the international break. However, we're certainly happy to oppose a team who are struggling to click into gear.
Atletico Madrid v Manchester United Betting Markets
Atletico Madrid are currently available at odds of 2.10 to win this Champions League match against Manchester United. This suggests that Diego Simeone's side have just a 48% chance of landing a victory when facing their English rivals. We think this price is too big considering that they've enjoyed a strong start to the campaign.
Atleti have made a promising start to the season, securing three consecutive wins before the international break. After losing 2-1 at Anfield despite taking the lead, they then claimed a 3-0 success at Sociedad. That was followed by thrashing Osasuna 4-0 before a win in the Madrid derby. A typically ill-tempered affair saw them beat Real Madrid 2-1 and we're surprised by the odds you can get here.
The Spanish side have made Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano something of a fortress and they appear to be meeting Manchester United at the right time. The Red Devils have made a stumbling start to the Premier League campaign, sitting twelfth in the standings and their away form has included two draws and a defeat.
Michael Carrick might not be the manager to lead this team to the next level. Odds of 3.00 are a little too short for a United win, with the draw likely to be a satisfactory outcome for a side who will hope that Bruno Fernandes can pull the strings. There is a big question mark over the defence and there is definitely potential for including Atletico Madrid in accumulators.
You might even think that Atletico can win by a specific margin and there are lots of handicap betting options if you have a strong view that the Spanish team will win by two goals or more. They'll be motivated to get their first points on the board.
Goals Under/Over
The bookmakers anticipate plenty of goals will be scored in this Champions League showdown at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Over 2.5 is operating at 1.50 which suggests that there's a 66% probability that three or more will be scored. We're slightly surprised by how short the price is trading, with Manchester United likely to set up defensively in order to nullify their opponents.
However, Atletico Madrid are on a long run of Over 2.5 Goals games. Since beating Malaga 2-0, the Mattress Makers have had seven consecutive games where at least three have been scored. Since that defeat at Anfield, the Spanish side have been averaging three goals per game which would be enough to go over the line itself.
As for United, four of their seven clashes have seen Over 2.5 Goals. On the road, two of the three matches where the Red Devils have been involved have seen two goals or less.
BTTS
BTTS Yes is operating at odds of 1.44. This means there's nearly a 70% chance of both teams finding the net. It looks virtually certain that Atletico Madrid will be on the scoresheet. In eight of the nine games played by the Spanish side, they have found the net. It's been seventeen goals and counting for Simeone's team, with the only blank being drawn at Athletic Bilbao when losing 3-0.
Diego Simeone's side are capable of creating lots of scoring chances and they mustered nine shots on target in the Madrid derby before the international break. We should also note that they put four goals past Osasuna and they also scored three times away to Sociedad, with Atletico Madrid sure to find the net against a United side struggling to keep a clean sheet.
The bigger question is whether United can find the net here. With players such as Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo, there's plenty of attacking verve although the Red Devils left it late before equalising away to Fulham. They also drew a blank at Hull in their top-flight opener and we can't be certain that they will create too many scoring chances.
First Goalscorer
Alejandro Grimaldo is on penalty kick duties for Atletico Madrid and the 31-year-old defender has converted twice in the past three matches. He's worth keeping on the shortlist considering that the Spanish side are plenty to exert lots of pressure in this Champions League showdown.
Jonathan David also has to be considered, with the Canadian international having scored in four consecutive games for club and country. The striker is on loan from Juventus and notched against Sociedad, Osasuna and Real Madrid before also netting against Chile in an international friendly.
Alex Baena also carries a lively threat from attacking midfield, with the 25-year-old aiming to add to his tally of four goals in this game. There was a strike against Malaga before a brace against Sevilla. He was also on the scoresheet against Osasuna.
Matheus Cunha scored at the death at Craven Cottage, although Bruno Fernandes is the man who will be on free-kicks and penalties for the visitors. The two above players were the first on the scoresheet against Sabah in their first Champions League clash. Benjamin Sesko might be selected for his aerial and physical ability although we'd sooner consider the Atletico attacking options.
