Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
6 February 1515hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Barcelona
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 13/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 3 February
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are in direct competition for a top four spot which makes their clash on Sunday at the Nou Camp hugely intriguing.
Table of Contents
Barcelona Preview – Can Barca leapfrog opponents by taking all three points from this one?
It was a busier than expected transfer window for Barcelona. It wasn’t that they didn’t need to bring in reinforcements, more that they were unable to financially. Right up until the point they did. Dani Alves and Fernan Torres have already made their debuts (a second one for the former) and it could be that Adama Traore is in a similar position tomorrow having rejoined on loan from Wolves. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also arrives from Arsenal but he may have to do with a place on the bench.
Barcelona’s attack has been misfiring for most of the season as shown by them failing to score more than one goal in each of their last four La Liga games and in more than half their league matches this season.
Barca head into this game in fifth place, one point and one position behind their opponents. It means a win here would take them into the top four and that is ultimately their aim for the remainder of this season. Defeat to Real Betis in December is their only loss in the last 11 but there have been five draws in that game.
Their record at the Nou Camp has not been as encouraging, however, managing just seven points the last five games. They will have to improve on that in order to reach and stay in the top four.
Atletico Madrid Preview – Are Atleti set to end their run of four games without an away win in the league?
It has been the case for a while but with every passing week it becomes even more unlikely that Atletico are going to retain the title they won last season. Diego Simeone’s men are 14 points behind their arch rivals and current leaders Real. They do have a game in hand and have the second derby of the season to come but this group of players have not shown anything like the consistency required to become contenders.
Instead, they come into this game attempting to preserve their top four spot and, if they can, stretch the lead over Barca.
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Atletico have taken seven points from their last three matches following a run of four consecutive defeats in the league. It is a recovery of sorts but they have to continue as there are plenty of challengers waiting for further slip-ups in behind. Atleti have not won in the league since the end of November, taking only one point from the past four games on their travels.
What has also been noticeable this season is the lack of clean sheets. It is just two in their last 10 league games and one in 11 away games.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Betting Advice
For much of the last decade this has been a fixture which has a direct impact on the destination of the title. That is most certainly not the case this season but it does have implications on who is going to be playing Champions League football next season – which is so vital for both these clubs.
Barca have not beaten Atleti since 2019 which equates to five matches. The champions have won three of those, including the first game between the clubs this season.
Key Facts – Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tip
- Barca have failed to score more than one goal in any of their last four La Liga matches
- Atletico Madrid have won only one of their last eight away games in the league
- The last five meetings between the teams have seen three wins for Atletico and two draws
Whilst their recent record against this opponent is poor, Barca seem to be finding some consistency and the new signings do strengthen them. In a game where there is so often little to choose between the teams, I’m backing Barca to avenge the defeat from earlier in the season.
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