Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United predictions: Baena to star in home win
Warren Ashurst
Man Utd have not won any of their last four matches in all competitions.
Atletico Madrid have won four on the spin, scoring 11 goals during that run.
Atletico’s Alex Baena has scored four goals in eight LaLiga games.
With Manchester United currently 13th in the Premier League, the pressure is mounting on Michael Carrick ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown at Atletico Madrid.
The Red Devils did win their opening European fixture 4-0 at home against Sabah, but a trip to the Spanish capital to face an in-form Atletico is a big step up.
The latest Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Atletico have lost just two of their nine games this season, with one of those defeats coming at Liverpool in their first league phase match
Manchester United have drawn three of their last four Premier League matches, including 1-1 scorelines in their last two
United have failed to win in their last four meetings with Atletico (L2 D2)
The opposition (Real Madrid and Alaves) have picked up red cards in Atletico’s last two matches
Diego Simeone’s men are unbeaten at home this season, with three wins and one draw
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Team News
Atletico made five changes to their starting line-up for their league win at Alaves, with Simeone having one eye on Tuesday’s encounter.
Lee Kang-in, Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena and Julian Alvarez were all named on the bench for the 2-1 victory.
Michael Carrick has concerns over the fitness of both Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, who sat out training on Monday.
United are already expected to be without Benjamin Sesko, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu due to injury.
Need to Know
United have won just six points from their opening six games in the Premier League, their lowest total in 40 years.
That run has led to frustration from the fans, with the players booed at the end of the draw with Tottenham. The pressure is rising on Carrick ahead of two tough away games in a week, at Atletico and Leeds.
In contrast, Atletico are currently second in LaLiga, having collected 19 points from their first eight league matches.
The Spanish giants have lost just two of their last 11 Champions League home games, scoring 11 goals in their last four European ties at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Prediction
Having decided to give Carrick the job on a permanent basis, United now appear to be stuck in a rut and with key players missing, this clash has come at the worst possible time.
Atletico are always a tough nut to crack on home soil and they go into this fixture full of confidence, having already seen off the likes of Real Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Alex Baena has been a key man in Atletico’s impressive start to the season, with the Spain international having found the net four times in the league.
The attacking midfielder, who scored in his country’s recent Nations League win over England, has already doubled his goal tally from last season.
