UEFA Champions League: Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid share an unwanted distinction: they are the most famous clubs in European football to have never won the Champions League. The sides will meet on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium as they continue their fight for that elusive UCL crown. 

Mikel Arteta’s men face the Spanish visitors after winning their first two matches. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, come to this match with a one win, one loss record. 

What are top sports betting apps thinking ahead of this tie? We have a look at the latest odds from the best bookies before moving on to our Arsenal vs Atletico preview and betting tips.

Arsenal

Arsenal's Champions League campaign has been spotless so far - two victories, a perfect defensive record. The only quibble? The Gunners could not show greater finishing in the final third. 

Regardless, those twin 2-0 triumphs leave Arsenal in exclusive territory. They're one of only six sides with maximum points so far, and alongside Inter Milan, the sole teams yet to concede.

Football betting sites see title-winning potential in Arsenal, and they have done enough to solidify those claims so far.

Team News: Piero Hincapie has returned to training, but his Arsenal debut might have to wait as he is still feeling slight discomfort in the groin area.

Predicted Lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have a reputation for dogged defending, but they can’t match the defensive numbers of their Wednesday morning hosts. However, they have shown strength at the other end of the pitch. 

La Rojiblancos fired five past Eintracht Frankfurt in 82 minutes, which is more than what Arsenal managed across two matches. Also, they dismantled Real Madrid 5-2 in La Liga only a few weeks ago. 

Atletico have been uncharacteristically goal savvy this season while remaining leaky at the back. They have only kept two clean-sheets across all competitions so far, but have managed to score in all 11 games they have played.

Team News: Nico Gonzalez was withdrawn just before the interval against Osasuna after suffering a head injury, and concussion protocols ruled the Argentine forward out of Wednesday's visit to the Emirates.

Predicted Lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Almada; Griezmann, Alvarez.

• Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have never faced each other in the Champions League before. 
• The two sides did meet in the Europa League in 2018, which Atletico won 2-1 on aggregate. 
• Arsenal are on a six-match winning streak against Spanish opposition.

Betting sites in NZ expected this to be a low-scoring affair when this fixture was first announced. Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid was billed as a battle of two elite defences. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. 

Arteta has assembled the best defensive unit in Europe over the past few years. They have conceded only three times in 10 matches across all competitions - no other team in Europe’s top-five leagues can match that. 

Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Julian Timber, Ricardo Calafiori, Ben White, Mile Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera - Arteta has a treasure trove of defenders at his disposal. Atletico have been great going forward this season, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez capable of troubling any defence. 

But this Arsenal backline is incredibly solid, and we believe they will deliver the win in this match for the home side.

Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid @ $6.50 

Arsenal will be wary of the attacking threat Atletico possess. Arteta might choose to be more cautious in the opening stages before opening up in later stages. We see the hosts nicking a 1-0 win in this match, which pays a handsome $6.50 at Bet and Play.