This season, Spanish La Liga is a two-horse race, but not quite as you got used to. Instead of Real Madrid, this time their city rivals are competing with Barça for the title. The difference in points is only 5 at the moment, but that can change this weekend as the two meet on Sunday.
Barcelona welcome Atleti at Camp Nou in a game that can decide the title. If Barça manage to take all three points, catching up with them will become a kind of mission impossible for Atletico. But, if Atleti win on Sunday, the title race will get even more exciting.
All of this suggests that the game we’ll see on Sunday is gonna be super-exciting, not only for watching but for betting as well. If you want to make some money off it, make sure to read this Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid preview till the very end, as that’s where an awesome betting tip awaits you!
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Preview
Barcelona
Although they won just 2 out of 4 La Liga matches in February, no one can say that Barcelona haven’t been playing well. In fact, this whole season they’ve been tremendous, not only in the league but in other competitions as well.
All of their players have been fantastic, but Messi still has to take most of the credit. Not only is he the player with most goals in the league but he also has the most assists to his name this season (12 assists). On top of that, he’s been brilliant when playing against tough opponents, like Real Madrid for example.
Surely, Messi has been their best player this season but Barça has plenty other players that deserve recognition. With just 3 goals less, Luis Suarez is the second-most prolific scorer in La Liga this season. He’s also made 6 assists so far, the same number as Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto.
Barcelona have also been great in defense, with just 13 galas allowed so far. That’s why it’s not a big surprise that they’re undefeated this season. In order to stay without a defeat, they will have to put on a really good performance on the Sunday afternoon, as Atletico are coming to Catalonia with all three points in their mind.
Atletico Madrid
They haven’t been playing as attractive football as Barça, but this side keeps on getting better and better. Atleti are in a superb run with 8 straight wins in all competitions. Griezmann, who’s rumored to move to Barcelona next season, has been their most influential player. The Frenchman has scored 15 goals in La Liga, with 7 assists. The best thing, though, is that he’s playing great in duo with Diego Costa, who’s joined the club this January.
Speaking of Diego Costa, the former-Chelsea attacker has scored 3 goals in 5 games in La Liga, 2 of which happened in February. Furthermore, Costa has never scored against Barcelona, so he’ll be very eager to change that.
The biggest problem for Atletico is that they only have 18 players in the squad who have played at least one La Liga game this season. What this means is that their players might get jaded by the end of the season, playing every single game, without anyone to replace them. Things can get even worse if they lose to Barça on Sunday – with the title dream gone, the players’ might also drop. All of this means that for Atletico, this is a game they must not lose. Otherwise, a real disaster might happen.
Team News
Barcelona absentees:
- Nelson Semedo (injury)
Atletico Madrid absentees:
- Lucas Hernandez (doubtful)
- Savic (doubtful)
Possible Lineups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Pique, Umtiti, Roberto, Alba – Paulinho, Busquets, Rakitic – Coutinho, Messi, Suarez
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Godin, Gimenez, Vrsaljko, Filipe Luis – Thomas, Koke, Saul Niguez, Gabi – Griezmann, Diego Costa
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Match Prediction
The bookies have made Barcelona a clear favorite, but I don’t think this is going to be an easy game for them. Atleti are coming to Catalonia to grab some points, so we might even see a couple of goals in ter Stegen’s net. Goals on both ends seem like a pretty reasonable scenario, while the most likely outcome of this match, in my opinion, is a draw.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Tips
Draw @4.00
BTS/Yes @1.90
