UCL – Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid
Quarter-finals 1st leg
Prediction
The Citizens are the bookies’ favourites to progress to the semi-finals, with many touting them to win the entire tournament. However, having failed to win twice in their last four matches across all competitions, do not expect them to dominate the visitors who are undefeated in eight games and on a 6-match winning streak across all competitions.
Man City have scored plenty of goals across the past few UCL campaigns. However, with the away goal rule no longer in existence, Simeone’s men are likely to play for the clean sheet. Hence, I do not see a high scoring fixture on Tuesday.
UCL – Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid: Betting Tips
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Asian handicap: +1.75 Atletico Madrid @ 1.65 odds.
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Under 2.75 goals @ 1.89 odds.
Predicted line-up
Manchester City: Ederson; João Cancelo, Laporte, Stones, Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
Suspended: Walker
Misses next match if booked (Players on 2 yellow cards): Cancelo, De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus
Atlético: Oblak; Llorente, Savić, Felipe, Reinildo, Renan Lodi; Koke, Kondogbia, Lemar; Griezmann, João Félix
Suspended: Carrasco
Misses next match if booked (Players on 2 yellow cards): João Félix, Héctor Herrera, Kondogbia, Llorente, Reinildo, Suárez
Pre-match conference
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager: “There is a misconception about the way [Diego Simeone] plays. It’s more offensive than people believe. He doesn’t want to take a risk in the build-up but they are very good in the final third. Every season we arrive at this stage, I say if we arrive here in April, May fighting for titles, it’s because we have done really well. Bad results right now and you are out of the competitions.”
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City midfielder: “We were a great team five seasons ago but the team now is much better prepared for these moments. It’s an improvement, definitely. It comes with experience. We had our disappointments and we learned from that.”
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach: “Manchester United had different characteristics than City, more direct, quicker. City are more positional, in all areas they manage things well. We’ll have to improve and be better in the good things we did two weeks ago. What I like most about City is the effort they make to win the ball back. That’s the work ethic every coach wants.”
Marcos Llorente, Atlético midfielder: “No team goes out to draw. We will go out to compete and whatever the result is, it will be. It is clear that in La Liga we have a good winning streak and we have to take advantage of it. The team is eager and ambitious. It is an important game and a difficult opponent that have been having a great season.”
