Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Betting Preview

Kick off: Tuesday, April 5, 19:45 GMT

Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)

Head to head record

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 2-1 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 1-2 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 0-1 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2-3 (2014/2015 Copa del Rey)
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 1-0 (2014/2015 Copa del Rey)

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid prediction

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid square off against each other in an all-Spanish tie in the Champions League quarter-finals. Barca aim to get back on course following a shocking loss in El Clasico, but Leo Messi and Co. will have to prove their worth on the field.

Barca eager to return to winning ways

Barcelona are on the right track to win the La Liga trophy, but coach Luis Enrique saw his men slip to a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in Saturday’s El Clasico. The Catalan giants failed to impress in the Camp Nou showdown and los Blancos totally deserved to pick up all three points from the game. Barca are now fully focused on Tuesday’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid as a win over los Rojiblancos would see the hosts move one step closer to defending the trophy in the elite competition. Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have been scoring goals for fun this season and despite the fact that they failed to make life difficult for Real Madrid defenders on Saturday evening, I am positive that Atletico Madrid back line will have their work cut out for them when facing the MSN trio.

Jeremy Mathieu, Sandro Ramirez and Adriano are all out of contention with injury, but Gerard Pique returns to the squad after missing the Arsenal clash through suspension. Luis Enrique is likely to stick to the 4-3-3 formation.

Last win at Camp Nou back in 2006

Atletico Madrid eliminated PSV on penalties in the Champions League last 16 and it has to be noted that the La Liga side failed to score in the two-legged tie against the Dutch champions. Diego Simeone is likely to stick to his defensive style of play in Tuesday’s clash against Barcelona, but preventing the Catalans from scoring at Camp Nou is easier said than done. Los Rojiblancos suffered a 2-1 loss to Barca in their last meeting in Catalonia, but the capital club finished the game with nine men on the field. Important defender Diego Godin was sorely missed in previous two league games, but the Uruguayan defender should recover in time to face Barcelona at Camp Nou. Speaking of Atletico’s attack, Antoine Griezmann extended his goal-scoring run in the 4-1 win over Real Betis and all eyes will be on the former Real Sociedad man when Barca and Atletico face each other at Camp Nou. Anyhow, Atletico face a difficult task in the first leg.

The likes of Stefan Savic, Diego Godin and Yannick Carrasco are all likely to recover in time to play against Barcelona, but Tiago Mendes is definitely out of contention with injury. Important defender Jose Gimenez is rated doubtful.

Interesting Facts

• Barcelona won previous six meetings with Atletico Madrid
• The Catalans scored 12 goals in last three home games in the Champions League
• Barca are after their 11th consecutive win at home in the elite competition
• Atletico are eyeing their seventh clean sheet of the season in CL
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in seven of Atletico’s last eight away games in CL

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid betting pick

Barcelona were not at the top of their game in Saturday’s El Clasico and they are desperate to make amends for the heartbreaking defeat. Luis Enrique’s men have been impressive in the Champions League this season and seeing that Barca are after their seventh consecutive win over los Rojiblancos, there is every chance the visitors will return home empty-handed.

Pick: Barcelona/Barcelona

Odds: 13/10