Ace Football previews the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
The biggest showdown in La Liga this weekend will see Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.
An intriguing affair awaits in the Spanish capital. Despite both sides losing key players, there’s no shortage of quality or determination heading into the encounter. If anything, the setbacks could spur them on.
Not much has separated the two teams in the past, with the fixture usually being decided by a single goal or stalemate. Their last meeting, for instance, ended in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou back in June.
Atletico Madrid Form & Stats
An unbeaten start to the 2020/21 La Liga campaign has placed Atletico third in the standings. Five wins in seven games leave them three points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad, with two games in hand.
It doesn’t hurt either that Diego Simeone’s side are on a four-match winning run in the league. They also beat Cadiz 4-0 before the international break and have gone 23 league games undefeated since losing 1-0 to Real Madrid on February 1 (W14 D9).
Their head-to-head record against Barcelona, however, is a different story. The Rojiblancos haven’t beaten the Blaugrana in La Liga since February 2010 and will be without Luis Suarez, who tested positive for COVID-19.
But should Atletico be able to snatch a win on Saturday, it could be the clearest indication yet of their title credentials.
Key Team Stats
- Won four of their last five games in all competitions.
- Unbeaten in their last 23 league games (W14 D9).
- Unbeaten in their last 15 home league games (W11 D4).
- Five clean sheets in their last six league games.
- Joao Felix has managed five goals and three assists in seven league games this season.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
Ronald Koeman’s men head to the Spanish capital on the back of a resounding 5-2 win over Real Betis. It ended a four-match winless run in La Liga and couldn’t have been better timed. Another victory on Saturday could trigger a much-needed resurgence.
Barcelona are in unfamiliar territory this season down in eight-place in the standings after a change in coach, Lionel Messi’s uncertain future, an abrupt turnaround, and lingering doubts over the club’s leadership hindered preparations.
The damage by all means is still reversible, despite a nine-point gap to leaders Real Sociedad. Barca, like Atletico, have two games in hand and could open a window of opportunity by claiming all three points in Madrid.
Key Team Stats
- Won just one of their last five league games (D2 L2).
- Scored 16 goals in their last six games in all competitions.
- Unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 games against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.
- Lionel Messi has managed 32 goals and eight assists in 37 games against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.
Team News
Atletico Madrid: Luis Suarez, Lucas Torreira, Hector Herrera, & Sime Vrsaljko (out).
Barcelona: Sergio Busquets, Ronald Araujo, Ansu Fati, & Samuel Umtiti (out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in La Liga.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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