The second legs of the Champions League semi-final matches are finally here, and Tuesday’s action sees Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid. It was a tense affair in the first leg, with the match ending 1-1.
Neither side scored from open play, but we are hoping for more entertainment and drama in the second leg as both sides are just 90 minutes away from the final. With neither winning the Champions League before, it’s a huge chance for them to make history, and this makes it a great time to have a look at our betting tips for the match, as well as some of the betting offers currently available from the best betting sites in the UK.
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid betting offers & free bets
With the game all tied after the first leg, it now really feels like one of the best chances both Arsenal and Atletico will get of making it to a Champions League final. Arsenal are full of momentum after their 3-0 win over Fulham on the weekend, whilst Diego Simeone’s side will be well-rested after the manager rotated his squad on the weekend.
There’s also a huge Champions League match tomorrow as well, with Bayern taking on PSG, and with such great football on, it’s a good time to create a betting account and make use of the free bets on offer. We have revealed a host of great sign-up offers that you can use for the football this week, including BetUK’s sign up offer, which gives you £40 in free bets.
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Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips
Arsenal host Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, 5th May, where the action at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 8.00pm. You can find our expert analysis behind the top selections here.
Stalemate Expected at the Emirates
The first leg in Spain ended 1-1, and another tightly contested affair is anticipated in North London. While Arsenal defeated Atletico 4-0 at this venue during the group stage, the context of a semi-final knockout tie presents a completely different tactical challenge with far more at stake.
Arsenal’s recent form points towards a low-scoring game. The Gunners have drawn their last two Champions League matches and have failed to score more than one goal in any of their previous eight fixtures across all competitions, making it difficult to see them overpowering a resilient Atletico side.
This match projects as a tactical chess match between Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone. Simeone, in particular, has extensive experience in managing high-stakes European ties and will likely set his team up to frustrate the hosts, prioritising defensive structure over expansive attacking play.
Neither manager will want to commit too many players forward and leave their side vulnerable on the counter-attack. A cautious approach from both teams could easily lead to another 1-1 or even a 0-0 draw, potentially pushing the tie into extra time or penalties.
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Goals on the Cards Despite Cautious Approaches
Although both goals in the first leg came from the penalty spot, the match was not short of scoring opportunities. The underlying data, with Atletico Madrid recording an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.21 and Arsenal posting 1.51, suggests both sides possess the quality to create significant chances.
Atletico Madrid’s Champions League campaign has consistently produced goals. Both teams have scored in 12 of their 14 matches in the competition this season, a run in which Simeone’s side has averaged 2.43 goals scored and 1.85 conceded per game.
The Spanish outfit averages 1.86 goals per away match in the Champions League, while conceding 2.29, indicating a vulnerability on their travels that a home side should exploit. Arsenal, knowing they must score to avoid extra time, will be expected to press forward in front of their own supporters.
The Gunners have been effective at home in this competition, averaging 2.33 goals per game at the Emirates. With the necessity of finding a goal to progress, Arsenal’s attacking intent combined with Atletico’s proven scoring record makes the Both Teams To Score market an appealing option.
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Simeone’s Side to Remain Competitive
The market for Atletico Madrid on the +1 Asian Handicap has seen its odds shorten, indicating that another close encounter is expected. This selection provides a safety net, as the stake is fully refunded if Atletico lose by a single goal margin.
Despite the cagey nature of the first leg, Atletico’s attack caused significant problems for the Gunners’ defence, registering the second-highest xG figure any team has managed against Arsenal this season. Furthermore, Simeone’s team is currently on a 12-game scoring streak in the Champions League, a testament to their consistent offensive threat.
Fatigue could also play a crucial role. This will be Arsenal’s 58th fixture of the season, the highest volume for any club in Europe’s top five leagues. In contrast, Atletico are not in a domestic title race, allowing Simeone the luxury of resting key players ahead of this crucial European tie.
