One of the standout ties in this week’s Champions League action sees Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich do battle at the Estadio Metropolitano.
The two heavyweights have made similar starts to their continental campaigns, with Atleti taking four points from their opening three matches and Bayern collecting five.
Diego Simeone’s side have won just once so far, beating Manchester United 2-0 in the Spanish capital, while losing to Liverpool and drawing with Stuttgart.
As for Bayern, they began with a convincing victory over Bodo/Glimt before playing out high-scoring draws against Viking and Arsenal.
The German giants were also involved in an action-packed draw at the weekend, sharing four goals with Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker to maintain their place at the top of the Bundesliga.
Atletico, meanwhile, made it seven La Liga wins in a row with a 2-0 victory away at Levante last time out.
How the bookies view it: Bayern to bank all three points
Despite drawing each of their last two Champions League matches, Bayern Munich are 6/5 favourites with bet365 to get the better of Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
Atletico Madrid are 15/8 outsiders to make it two home wins from two in this season’s Champions League, while the draw is an unfancied 3/1.
Head to head: Another stalemate in store?
Bayern Munich lead the head-to-head with four wins from eight meetings, while Atletico Madrid have won two and drawn two. The last meeting finished 1-1 at this venue in December 2020, and bet365 offer 15/2 on the same scoreline.
Players to watch: Kane to strike in the Spanish capital?
Newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane has scored four goals in three Champions League appearances for Bayern Munich this season and looks a value option to strike again here at 10/11 with bet365.
Julian Alvarez provided an assist against Liverpool on matchday one before scoring against Stuttgart on matchday three, making him worthy of consideration for another goal involvement here at 10/11 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Atletico Madrid will be without the suspended Morten Hjulmand, while Koke and Johnny Cardoso face fitness checks ahead of Tuesday night’s clash. However, Cristian Romero is back in contention after recovering from injury.
Bayern Munich could be severely depleted in attack, with Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz expected to miss out, while Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry and Michael Olise are all doubts after being forced off against Borussia Dortmund. Manuel Neuer is also facing a race to be fit, though the veteran goalkeeper is hoping to return for the trip to Madrid.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Giuliano Simeone, Llorente, Barrios, Baena; Jonathan David, Alvarez
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Brown; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Karl, Davies; Kane
Anything else catch the eye?
The bookies are expecting goals in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night, but neither BTTS nor over 2.5 goals holds much appeal at the prices on offer.
Instead, I’ll dip into the Bet Builder market and combine both teams to score with both teams to receive a card and over two match cards at 4/5 with bet365.
That combination clicked in Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw away at Viking on matchday two and their 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.
In the player-card market, Cristian Romero looks a prime candidate to be cautioned at 11/5 with bet365, given his tendency to lunge into rash challenges.
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