Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid: Madrid is seriously underestimated

Manchester City will play host to Atletico Madrid at home. It will be their first encounter in the Champions League quarter-finals. Will Simeone's side be able to win again in Manchester?

Manchester City face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last eight. The outcome of this encounter had already been decided on the first leg in the Portuguese capital. Pep Guardiola's side scored five unanswered goals against the Lions. The return leg at the Etihad was inconclusive. Since the return leg against Sporting FC, Manchester City has played three games. They beat Southampton 4:1 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Man City drew 0:0 with Crystal Palace and 2:0 with Burnley in the EPL. Guardiola's side remains at the top of the table.

In the previous round of the Champions League play-offs, Atletico Madrid faced another top-flight side, Manchester United. The first game at the Wanda Metropolitano was a one-goal game. In the second meeting at Old Trafford, the Spurs maintained a 1:0 advantage. Atletico's last opponent in La Liga was Alaves (4:1). In the last six matches in all competitions, Diego Simeone's side hasn't suffered a single defeat. At the moment, Atletico is third in the La Liga table.

The bookmakers favour Manchester City. They believe they underestimate Atletico Madrid. However, we believe they underestimate Atletico Madrid. This is the second time in a row that Simeone's team is underdogs in matches against the Manchester club. In the encounters with United, the Spurs' goalkeeper Oblak has performed admirably. The Slovenian is now in top form and we are sure he will be a problem for City's attacking players.

Our main bet is the second half is more productive than the first half. We don't expect a lot of action in the game. Most of Atletico's matches show a lot of cautions. We think the Champions League game will be no exception. We also suggest betting on the Spanish team's handicap plus one. 

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