Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Betting Preview

Date & time: Sunday, February 26, 3:15 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon (Madrid)

Head to head record

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 (Copa del Rey 2016/2017)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 1-2 (Copa del Rey 2016/2017)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 (2016/2017 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2-0 (2015/2016 Champions League)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 2-1 (2015/2016 Champions League)

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona prediction

Atletico Madrid will be looking to get their revenge on Barcelona for the loss in the Copa Del Rey semis when the two teams face each other at Estadio Vicente Calderon in a match that could well decide the La Liga winner.

Rojiblancos scoring goals for fun

Atletico Madrid were having their ups and downs in the first half of the season, but they have been in a splendid form in 2017. Los Rojiblancos have been impressive in front of goal of late and they will be looking to build on a 4-2 the Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen when they square off against Barcelona in Sunday’s La Liga derby at their Estadio Vicente Calderon. Seeing that Real Madrid dropped three points in a postponed fixture against Valencia, Diego Simeone’s team rejoined the race for the title and a win over Barca would see them melt Real Madrid’s advantage in the standings even more. The attacking partnership of Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann has been in a perfect working order in February and the duo is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders.

Key defender Diego Godin is closing in on a return, but he is unlikely to start against Barcelona. First-choice goalkeeper, full-back Juanfran and midfielders Tiago and Augusto Fernandez remain in the recovery room. Former Getafe shoot-stopper Moya is likely to keep his place in the starting XI.

Messi el Savior

Barcelona were on the verge of dropping two points in Sunday’s clash against Leganes, but Leo Messi eventually scored a late winner for the title holders from the penalty spot. The reigning champions extended their winning run in La Liga to three games and the good news for Barca fans is that Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 loss to Valencia in Wednesday’s postponed fixture. Luis Enrique’s troops are eager to take advantage of the situation and a victory over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital would see the Catalan giants move a little closer to defending their La Liga trophy. Luis Enrique can count on the “MSN” trio for Sunday’s derby and I am positive that the visitors will stick to their attacking style of play. Barcelona did remarkably well to beat Atletico Madrid at Estadio Vicente Calderon in the Copa del Rey semis earlier this month and they are definitely capable of repeating the success.

Sergio Busquets returns from suspension, while the likes of Aleix Vidal and Javier Mascherano are both out of contention with injury. Coach Luis Enrique has no other selection worries ahead of the trip to Madrid.

Interesting facts

• Both teams scored in six of their last seven meetings in all competitions
• Atletico Madrid are eyeing their fifth consecutive win at home in La Liga
• Barcelona scored 11 goals in previous three league fixtures
• Luis Enrique’s team are undefeated in last eight games on the road
• Los Rojiblancos suffered only one loss in previous 28 home games in La Liga

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona betting pick

Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are desperate to stay in the race for the La Liga title. Both teams have been impressive in front of goal of late and there is every chance fans will see a real football festival at Estadio Vicente Calderon on Matchday 24. Taking everything into account, there is a big value in betting on both teams to score.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 3/4