Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Preview. Check the match preview, betting tips, useful info and betting predictions for the match between Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona in La Liga.
This is probably the biggest clash of the La Liga season so far. Atletico Madrid welcome Barcelona to their brand-new Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Saturday night. With the hosts already six points off the top of the table occupied by their visitors, it promises to be a cracker of a match. The visitors can expect a hostile reception as the ongoing Catalan independence movement will be greeted with a sea of Spain flags and a hostile atmosphere.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Match Preview
Atletico Madrid
Atletico are still getting used to life at their new stadium and already look like a jaded team searching for inspiration. A loss to Chelsea in the Champions League and a 0-0 draw at Leganes in the last round of La Liga is an indicator of how difficult things have been for Diego Simeone’s men. However, true to their gritty style, the Los Rojiblancos remain unbeaten in the La Liga so far with four wins and three draws.
FC Barcelona
Barcelona’s start to the season has been surprisingly serene. They were supposed to struggle after the departure of Neymar but the Blaugrana have risen to the occasion with nine straight wins in all competitions. They’ve been relentless at both ends of the pitch conceding just two and scoring 27. Lionel Messi has been in breathtaking form hitting 11 League goals already. Amid a backdrop of national uncertainty off the pitch due to Catalan independence referendum, Barca have been able to make the best use of a relatively kind fixtures list so far.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona H2H
Atletico have a poor record against Barcelona, if we don’t count their success in the Champions League matches. The Catalans have won their last five games in Madrid against Atletico in all domestic competitions.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Team News
For the hosts, there are a clutch of injury worries as Felipe Luiz, Augusto Fernandez and Lucas Hernandez remain out of contention for an indefinite period.
For Barcelona, the ones missing out are the usual long-term absentees. Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele are out with injuries while Arda Turan is also not available for the visitors.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Probable Line-ups
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Lucas, Gabi, Saul, Koke, Gaitan, Griezmann, Torres.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Busquets, Paulinho, Iniesta, Messi, Deulofeu, Suarez.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Predictions
Hot on the heels of an international break, this fixture is a physical test for players on both sides. It could turn out to be a grind as Atletico likes to close out at the back and stifle their opponents. Messi’s magical form gives hope for the visitors of cracking the code but Simeone is well-known for tight formations. Back the hosts to fight it out and not give an inch to the visitors. Although recent form points to a high-scoring match, we believe that this could be a close affair with very few goals.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Tip: under 2.5 goals @ 1.90 (Bet365)
When it comes to choosing specific players, backing Messi to find the net is a very exciting pick.
Anytime Goal Scorer Prediction: Messi @ 1.95 (Bet365)
