Manchester United will be looking to book their spot in the quarter-finals

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Manchester United will be looking to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they welcome Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night. The contest is delicately poised at 1-1 following the first leg at Wanda Metropolitano, with Anthony Elanga coming off the bench to register for Man United after Joao Felix had sent Atletico ahead.

Manchester United’s late equaliser in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 tie has set up this intriguing winner-takes-all second leg at Old Trafford. With the hosts yet to beat Atlético Madrid (D2, L1), they might need to repeat the battling performance they put in to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at the weekend, which manager Ralf Rangnick said was the response they needed following recent disappointments.

Unbeaten in three UEFA competition games against Spanish opponents here (W2, D1), the ‘Red Devils’ have also gone four home competitive fixtures without defeat (W2, D2), which should encourage them as they attempt to reach their first UCL quarter-final since 2018/19.

Atlético have won all three of their La Liga games following the first leg and like Man United, this competition likely represents their best chance of silverware this term. They’re finding decent form at a key time though, even if manager Diego Simeone was unimpressed with some of their play against Cádiz (W 2-1) on Friday, calling it slow and flat!

That might serve as a warning to step up here, as Atlético have conceded 2+ goals in each of their last three visits to English clubs in UEFA competition (W1, L2), a worrying reality considering key defender José Giménez is a possible injury absentee. One clean sheet in five competitive away games (W2, D1, L2) doesn’t bode well either as ‘Los Rojiblancos’ bid for their second UCL quarter-final appearance in five campaigns.

Date: 15/03/2022
Time: 23:00
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Pick for this match:
“1” – @ 2.20 ( BETWAY )