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Manchester United could not be playing Atletico Madrid at a better time. Despite the Spanish champions’ 3-0 win at Osasuna at the weekend, Diego Simeone’s side have been in wretched form this season, particularly in the last month.
They scraped their way out of the group stages, winning just two of their fixtures and losing three in a group that contained Liverpool, AC Milan and Porto. Meanwhile, United had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for topping their group with his flurry of late winners digging them out of numerous sticky situations.
Wednesday 8pm: Atletico Madrid v Man Utd
TV: BT Sport 2
While the Red Devils have hardly been in scintillating form themselves, they have been far more solid since Ralf Rangnick’s appointment two months ago and they’ll be quietly confident of getting a result in the Spanish capital.
Here’s our four-fold Bet Builder for what promises to be an intense affair.
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The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right now*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 23/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Manchester United to win
Diego Simeone’s side have lost four of their last seven games in all competitions, winning just three of their last eight. They have also been haemorrhaging goals, conceding 16 goals in that eight-game spell and managing just one clean sheet.
United have lost just one game outright in 15 games under Ralph Rangnick and have shown signs since the winter break that they are starting to click as an attacking unit. The Red Devils have created myriad of gilt-edged chances in their last six games and finally discovered their ruthless streak in a thrilling 4-2 win over Leeds on Sunday.
Rangnick is likely to face his sternest test as manager on Wednesday, with United likely to come up against a rigid back five in Madrid, but they should have just about enough to strike a significant blow in this tie.
Both teams to score? No
While it may seem a little risky to back Manchester United to keep a clean sheet just three days after their latest defensive capitulation, there is a good reason to think they are capable of keeping the Spanish champions at bay on Wednesday. Atletico’s whole modus operandi in the Champions League has revolved around not conceding goals at home and that is unlikely to change now that away goals have been scrapped.
Their 4-1 win over AC Milan in 2014 was the last time that both teams scored in a Last 16 Champions League tie involving Atletico at home, while only seven of their last 24 knockout games in the competition have seen both teams find the back of the net. Simeone’s pragmatism is highly unlikely to dissipate now that away goals have been removed and all signs point to a tense, low-scoring affair on Wednesday night.
It feels like United will come away from the Spanish capital with a victory if they can breach the Atletico defence.
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Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime
Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a difficult start to 2022, scoring just one goal in eight appearances and missing a host of chances. His homecoming has certainly not brought the success that United fans would have hoped for, given they are five points and nine goals worse off than they were at the same stage last season.
However, his goalscoring form in Europe has remained excellent.
Ronaldo has scored six goals in five European games for United this season, scoring in every Champions League game that he has played. He also boasts a remarkable record against Atletico, scoring a hugely impressive 25 goals in 35 games against them, including two Champions League hat-tricks.
Ronaldo has doubtlessly begun to look his age in recent weeks, but he can roll back the years on Wednesday night.
Bruno Fernandes anytime assist
Bruno Fernandes’ creativity has matched Ronaldo’s goalscoring stride for stride in Europe this season. While his Portuguese compatriot has registered six Champions League goals this season, Fernandes has registered six assists, recording at least one assist in every game that he has played.
Fernandes has struggled somewhat since Ronaldo’s arrival, but there have been signs in recent weeks that he is getting back to his best. The Portuguese maestro has four and assisted four in ten games in 2022 and can prove the key to unlocking the Atletico defence on Wednesday night.
Atletico v Man Utd tips:
Man Utd to win
Both teams to score? No
Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime
Bruno Fernandes to assist anytime
*A Bet Builder with these four best bets pays at approximately 23/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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