Atletico de Madrid v Bayern Munich: Three betting angles for Tuesday’s Champions League clash

Bayern Munich continue their pursuit of a European title when they visit Atletico de Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, with both sides looking to improve modest starts to the Champions League league phase.

Bayern are 14th with five points from three matches, while Atletico sit 16th on four points. The Spanish side have recovered strongly from an uncertain opening to the season, winning nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions without losing.

Diego Simeone’s team have kept six clean sheets during that run and go into the match after a 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante on Saturday. Atletico are second in Spain with 28 points from 11 matches, two behind leaders Barcelona.

Their Champions League campaign began with a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on 9 September, but they responded with a 2-0 win against Manchester United on 13 October before drawing 1-1 with Stuttgart on 20 October.

Atletico are unbeaten at home this season, winning five of their six matches at the Wanda Metropolitano and drawing the other. Opponents have scored only three times there, while Simeone’s side have found the net 13 times.

Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund, although they lead BVB only on goal difference with 18 points. Their two most recent Champions League matches also ended level, 3-3 against Viking FK on 13 October and 2-2 against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on 21 October.

It would be unfair to suggest Vincent Kompany must win the Champions League for his Bayern tenure to be judged a success, but supporters are accustomed to domestic dominance. Kompany is also unlikely to be in the dugout as he continues recovering from the illness which affected him during a training session at the end of October.

The clubs have not met since a 1-1 draw in December 2020. Bayern won the two previous meetings, however, by 4-0 and 1-0. They are unbeaten in their past five away matches this season but have drawn three of them, scoring 10 goals and conceding seven.

Atletico have doubts over Johnny Cardoso and Koke despite both returning to training. Pablo Barrios and Morten Hjulmand are expected in midfield, with Julian Alvarez and Lee Kang-in likely to lead the attack.

Bayern will be without injured winger Luis Diaz. Michael Olise is doubtful after hurting his knee against Dortmund, while Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari were also injured in that match. Alphonso Davies and Lennart Karl may therefore operate on the flanks.

Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig are doubts, potentially leaving Sven Ulreich to start in goal.

Three bets to consider

– Both teams to score and fewer than 4.5 goals – 2.02 – Harry Kane to score – 2.03 – Julian Alvarez to score or assist – 2.15

Probable teams

Atletico de Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo; Simeone, Barrios, Hjulmand, Baena; Alvarez, Lee.

Bayern Munich: Ulreich; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Karl, Brown, Davies; Kane.

Atletico’s form in the Champions League is DVN, and their overall record is VVVNVV. Bayern’s Champions League form is VNN, with their all-competition sequence reading NVNVVN.