Atletico Madrid host Arsenal in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night at the Metropolitano, with the winner of the two-legged tie set to face either Bayern Munich or PSG in the final
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, two clubs still pursuing a maiden Champions League title, clash at the Metropolitano on Wednesday evening in the first leg of a captivating semi-final. The victors across two matches will meet either Bayern Munich or defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on May 30.
Atleti are featuring in their seventh European Cup/Champions League semi-final – and their first since 2016-17 – having edged past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. While Diego Simeone, who acknowledged Arsenal interest in Julian Alvarez, has traditionally been linked with a more conservative approach, they have adopted a far more attacking philosophy in Europe this term, amassing a club-record 34 goals in the tournament to eclipse their 2013-14 tally. Eight of those arrived during their last-16 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Madrid side have found the net in each of their previous 12 fixtures across all competitions and restored winning form in La Liga on Saturday with a 3-2 home victory over Athletic Bilbao, ending a four-match league winless run and consolidating their position in the top four. Arsenal present a formidable challenge, particularly given that Atletico were dismantled 4-0 at the Emirates during the league phase earlier this campaign.
Simeone’s side have also claimed just two victories from their last 12 UEFA fixtures against English opposition, and their Champions League semi-final record is inconsistent. Nevertheless, Atleti have triumphed in 11 of their last 15 two-legged European ties against English clubs – including all three semi-finals – and have suffered only two defeats in their last 18 home encounters with English sides in Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have reached the Champions League semi-finals in back-to-back seasons for the first time in their history, and for the fourth time overall, after narrowly overcoming Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta’s outfit topped the league phase with an unblemished record and remain the competition’s sole unbeaten side this season, losing just two of their last 22 Champions League matches in total.
On the domestic front, Arsenal’s form has faltered, yet Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle brought an end to a four-match losing streak – which encompassed EFL Cup final defeat and FA Cup elimination – and re-established a three-point advantage over Manchester City at the Premier League summit.
Alongside pursuing a long-awaited league crown, the Gunners are intent on claiming a maiden European trophy, and their recent form against Spanish opposition provides optimism following seven consecutive Champions League victories against La Liga clubs. Arsenal have suffered defeat in just one of their previous 11 away fixtures in the competition and have prevailed in five of their last nine two-legged Champions League encounters against Spanish teams – including overcoming Real Madrid last season – although Atletico did knock them out 2-1 on aggregate in the 2017-18 Europa League semi-finals, reports the Mirror.
Atletico vs Arsenal Prediction
- Atletico to win and both teams to score – 14/5 (BetGoodwin)
- Julian Alvarez to score anytime – 21/10 (BetGoodwin)
- Riccardo Calafiori to be booked – 2/1 (BetGoodwin)
18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change
Gamble responsibly
Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.
