Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Preview
February 1, 2017
Date & time: Wednesday, February 1, 8:00 PM
Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon (Madrid)
Head to head record
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 (La Liga 2016/2017)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2-0 (Champions League 2015/2016)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 2-1 (Champions League 2015/2016)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 2-1 (La Liga 2015/2016)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 1-2 (La Liga 2015/2016)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona prediction
Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have slim chances of winning the La Liga title, but they could save the season by clinching the Copa del Rey trophy. The two teams take on each other in the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup and a close encounter appears on the cards in the first leg at Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Rojiblancos tough to beat at home
It has been four years since Atletico Madrid won their last Copa del Rey trophy. Los Rojiblancos are unlikely to win the La Liga title this season as they sit in fourth place in the standings, meaning that they will leave their hearts on the field in the Spanish Cup semis against Barcelona. Diego Simeone’s men failed to win previous two league fixtures and their performance in a goalless draw against Deportivo Alaves was anything but good. The capital club, though, are certainly capable of eliminating Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and the fact that they managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their previous three home fixtures in the league is giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the visit of Luis Enrique’s troops. A man to watch in the home team will be Antoine Griezmann, who is eager to start a new goal-scoring run.
Centre back Gimenez misses the match with injury, with Stefan Savic likely to step up. Attacker Angel Correa picked up a knock against Alaves and he is unlikely to be risked against Barcelona, whilst Gabi returns from suspension.
Barca aim to defend their trophy
Barcelona have been impressive in the Copa del Rey this season. The reigning champions rolled over the likes of Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad to set up a meeting with Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition, but los Rojiblancos are likely to pose a much bigger threat for the Catalan giants than their previous rivals. Barca are four points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga standings after 20 rounds and seeing that los Blancos have one game in hand, Luis Enrique’s troops should be focused on the Champions League and the Spanish Cup in the remainder of the season. His men failed to impress in a 1-1 draw with Real Betis at the weekend, but Luis Suarez extended his goal-scoring run. The Uruguayan attacker has been in a fine form of late, meaning that the opposition defenders should have him at bay.
Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets remain in the recovery room, while Rafinha could recover in time to face Atletico Madrid. Coach Luis Enrique has no other fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Madrid.
Interesting facts
- Atletico Madrid scored 2+ goals in last five home games in Copa del Rey
- The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in La Liga earlier this season
- Under 3.5 goals were netted in Barca’s last seven away games in Copa del Rey
- Los Rojiblancos scored in previous five encounters against Barca
- Leo Messi has netted 29 goals in all competitions this season
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona betting pick
As I have already mentioned, both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are eager to book their place in the Copa del Rey final and there is every chance both teams will go for a win in Wednesday’s showdown. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou earlier this term and I believe that both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will find the net in the first leg of the Spanish Cup semi-final.
Pick: Both teams to score
Odds: 4/5
