Atletico Madrid vs. Man Utd Predictions: A fiery encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano

On Wednesday night we see The Wanda Metropolitano host the first leg of the last-16 tie between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, live on BT Sport. Liverpool ran riot in Group B, securing six wins from six to top the group on eighteen points. Atletico beat Porto into second place with seven points to secure a place in the last-16. The Red Devils topped group F with eleven points and secured top spot over Villareal with ten points. 

A disappointing domestic season so far Los Rojiblancos - after securing their second La Liga title under Diego Simeone last year, they now sit in 5th place and fifteen points behind city rivals Real Madrid. Yannick Carrasco will be sidelined for both legs due to suspension, Renan Lodi is likely to step in at left wing-back to fill the gap. Felipe is set to return to bolster the defence of Atletico and should slot back into the centre of the back three. Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass will be missed due to inury. The Atletico captain, Koke, could also potentially be sidelined here as he couldn’t train on Monday due to injury. Its also likely that both Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez miss out, two players that the Red Devils will be happy to see sidelined.

Form is beginning to appear for Manchester United who have now taken fourteen points from their last six Premier League matches, still only tasting one defeat since Ralph Rangnick took charge, fifteen games ago. The fight for top four is well and truly on however, with Manchester United sitting in fourth, four points ahead of West Ham and Arsenal (who have three games in hand).

Some big decisions for Ralph to make all over the pitch here, with different options available in most positions. Pogba yet again showing his class against Leeds, a stand-out performer of late who looked full of confidence and re-assured with the ball at his feet. He is likely to keep his position here, along with McTominay and Bruno in midfield. Both full backs are likely to be rotated with Telles and Dalot coming in for Shaw and Wan-Bissaka. Sancho is likely to keep his place after some good performances, a toss up between Elanga and Rashford to start on that right hand side.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Felipe, Reinildo, Llorente, Koke, Kondogbia, Correa; Felix, Suarez

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo

When taking the duty of finding value from the markets on Man Utd games, I find myself always sieving through the tackles markets, where I have built another solid looking selection at even money.

In the group matches, Atletico were racking up the tackles, clearing this 15.5 line in five of the six matches, averaging 18.33 per game. Atletico's tackles numbers alone makes this line look generous, but including the fact that Man United's opposition have also cleared this line eight of their last nine fixtures, gives it even greater appeal.

To add to this builder, I have included Man United to have over 13.5 tackles. This takes the Bet365 builder to evens (2.00) which makes it a 50% chance, I believe it is more likely than that. Man United have cleared this low line of 13.5 in thirteen of fifteen matches since Rangnick took charge, with an average of 17.66 per game.

When Atletico play, always expect a fiery match. A last-16 Champions League tie in front of a home crowd, Simeone will have them fired up, with players leaving everything out on the pitch.

Atletico have a ludicrous record this Champions League campaign – in their six group games, there was seven red cards – yes, seven! There was a red card in five of the six matches and we have Ovidiu Alin Hategan back with the whistle who took charge and dished out nine yellows and a red card in Atletico's opening fixture with Porto. On a whole, this referee has given a red card almost once every four matches (25%) and priced at 5/1 implying only a 16.7% chance, I feel this 5/1 holds huge value.