Can Atletico coach Simeone break his curse?
Part two of the games of truth is coming up for FC Barcelona. Part one was successfully contested against Porto in the Champions League, now two top games in Spain’s La Liga follow in succession. The top game of matchday 15 against Atletico Madrid is scheduled for Sunday evening, followed a week later by the surprise top team FC Girona.
A defeat in the top match against Atletico would be a serious setback for coach Xavi Hernandez’s side in the title race, as arch-rivals and league leaders Real Madrid play Granada on Saturday and are already four points adrift. If, as expected, the Blancos do their homework against the penultimate team in the table and Barça drop points against Atletico, the gap will be considerable. Atletico themselves can also provide an exclamation mark in the title race, as the Rojiblancos are level on points with Barça – so what applies to the Catalans also applies to the Madrilenians.
In the top match between fourth and third, the home side are still slight favorites, as the odds of the best betting providers for Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid show. But you can expect a game at eye level – outcome uncertain. This much is clear: the loser will suffer a low blow in the title race, while Real Madrid could be the laughing third
Barcelona – statistics & current form
FC Barcelona cannot be satisfied with the way the season has gone so far, which is why the pressure is high ahead of the top-of-the-table clash against Atletico. The reigning champions have already dropped points in five La Liga games, and all five losses have been painful. The four draws all came away from relegation candidates and smaller teams (Getafe, Mallorca, Granada, Rayo), against whom victories were firmly on the cards.
Barça also failed to cut a good figure in all four away games, with performances and results leaving much to be desired. In addition, the Clasico against arch-rivals Real Madrid was needlessly lost in stoppage time after taking the lead. Add to that the unexpected defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg and you get a picture of the Catalans’ poor mood
Before the Atletico clash: Barcelona recharge their batteries against Porto
After all, the mood was brightened on Tuesday by the important win against FC Porto in the top flight: Barça secured their ticket to the round of 16 early with a 2:1 victory, boosting their confidence ahead of the clash against Atletico Madrid.
However, Barcelona again proved vulnerable in defense against Porto, and not just because they conceded another goal. The Portuguese side had further opportunities to get a better result – Xavi’s team will not be able to afford to be so vulnerable against Atletico. Barça’s defense – the showpiece in the championship season – is simply not solid this year, as shown by the goals conceded in eleven of the 19 competitive games so far. Barça have conceded a goal in each of their last four games.
Betting on both teams to score in Barcelona v Atletico Madrid – optionally even combined with Over 2.5 goals – therefore makes sense, as the visitors from Madrid have been extremely attacking and accurate this season.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
30 goals have been scored by Atletico Madrid in 13 La Liga games, more than the traditionally storming Barcelona (27). Only Girona (32) and Real Madrid (31) have scored slightly more goals, but Atletico have also played one game less. Atleti have scored in eleven of their 13 games, scoring two or more goals in ten. Predicting goals in Barcelona v Atletico Madrid is well justified
Griezmann and Morata whirl in Atletico’s attacking machine
The Rojiblancos’ attack is in really good form and is led by Antoine Griezmann, who is in sensational form. He has scored nine goals in 13 games in La Liga and added four goals in five games in the Champions League. The ex-Barça player has complete freedom up front alongside Alvaro Morata (seven goals) and forms a congenial and unerring duo with the Spanish international striker.
Like Barcelona, Atletico also booked their place in the last 16 of the CL during the week – and once again proved their scoring prowess in the top flight. Although two own goals from Feyenoord helped them to a 3-1 win, that should not hide the fact that Atletico scored a strong 15 goals in five group games – the Rojiblancos scored three or more goals in three of the five games. Will Barça also feel this attacking force on Sunday?
If so, they could finally get a win in Barcelona – because coach Diego Simeone is still waiting for one. Simeone has only won five of 34 games against Barça – none of them in Barcelona. If you believe that Simeone’s Barcelona curse will finally end, you will find odds averaging 3.60 on an away win at Barcelona v Atletico Madrid.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Barcelona – Atletico Madrid head-to-head / H2H record
Simeone’s record against Barcelona and especially in Barcelona is not exactly good, while Xavi’s is impeccable: as Barça coach, Xavi won all three of his games against Atletico, which is why Barça have also won the last three games. Last season, Barça won both home and away matches by the narrow margin of 1-0.
The Blaugrana have won five of the last ten encounters, with three Atletico victories and two draws. Unsurprisingly, the overall record also favors the reigning champions: the two teams have met 240 times, with 108 wins for Barça and 76 for Atletico. 56 games ended in draws
Barcelona – Atletico Madrid betting tip
A draw could be in the air again on Sunday evening. For various reasons. Looking at the table alone, the clash between fourth and third is a duel for the eyes, as both teams are level on points. Barça are generally strong at home (nine wins in ten competitive home games), but they are also not very solid and vulnerable, as several teams have shown recently. Atletico have been extremely accurate, but have already suffered two defeats and a draw on their La Liga visits and have also drawn twice away from home in the top flight.
A share of the points in this top match and league leaders Real Madrid would be laughing third. That would be another setback for Barça in their fight to defend the title, but Atletico have looked more settled in recent weeks. We therefore recommend betting on a draw in Barcelona v Atletico Madrid – either after 90 minutes or at half-time for those who want to take fewer risks. Both teams may do the same in the first half of the top match
