The biggest Champions League game of the week is on Wednesday as Atletico Madrid welcome Manchester United to the Spanish capital for their round of 16 first leg. Atleti and United enter the match on some fairly inconsistent performances but are out to prove they can contend in this competition. Cristiano Ronaldo makes the trip back to Madrid and hopes to keep his scoring trend going against Los Colchoneros. In his career, Atleti are the team he’s scored the most goals against outside of Sevilla.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
Wednesday’s broadcast schedule
- UEFA Champions League Today, 2 p.m. ET, CBS and Paramount+
- Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United, 3 p.m. ET, CBS and Paramount+
- Benfica vs. Ajax, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+
- UEFA Champions League Post-Match Show, 5 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+
How to watch and odds
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 23 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Wanda Metropolitano — Madrid, Spain
TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
Odds: Atletico +145; Draw +215; Man United +205 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Team news
Atletico: Daniel Wass (knee) and Antoine Griezmann (thigh) will miss the match due to injury, while Jose Maria Gimenez (illness) and Yannick Carrasco (illness) are both doubtful. On top of that, Joao Felix, Luis Suarez and Geoffrey Kondogbia are all a yellow card away from a one-match suspension. If Gimenez can’t go, the expectation would be for Felipe and Stefan Savic to start at center back.
Manchester United: Edinson Cavani is out due to a groin injury, while center back Eric Bailly is doubtful due to an ankle injury. It’s unlikely either would have started, with this team’s lineup already likely decided. The expectation is for Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho to start right behind Ronaldo.
Prediction
The first leg ends with no clear advantage for either as each team find the net one in a defensive battle. Pick: Atletico Madrid 1, Manchester United 1