Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid Preview and Free Pick

A great match is coming this weekend for the top spot in La Liga: Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, tied on points, will face off in the Catalan capital.

The Culés were dealt a surprising blow last week, falling at home to Leganés 0-1, allowing their rivals to catch up at the top of the table.

The Colchoneros continued their strong run of form, though they struggled to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe.

Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid Betting Odds and Info

Why bet on Barcelona?

This Barcelona side started the season strongly and seemed poised to win LaLiga comfortably, but unexpected results have raised doubts.

Last weekend, they lost at home to Leganés 0-1, one of the bottom teams in the table, with a goal from Sergio González in the fourth minute. And they played with all their starters. Despite 20 shots, the Catalans failed to score. They are now winless in two league matches (the previous being a 2-2 draw with Betis after a stoppage-time goal in the 90+4’) and have suffered two consecutive home defeats against supposedly weaker teams—the prior one against Las Palmas (1-2).

Currently, Barcelona is at the top with 38 points, tied with Atlético Madrid and just one point ahead of Real Madrid. However, both Madrid teams have a game in hand, meaning Barcelona could easily drop to third place. That’s why it is crucial for them to win on Saturday, especially considering that Real Madrid will not play this weekend due to their FIFA Intercontinental Cup final versus Pachuca.

With nearly half of the season completed, Barcelona has scored 50 goals, an impressive tally. Robert Lewandowski leads the league with 16 goals, followed by Raphinha with 11. In assists, Lamine Yamal leads with nine, while Raphinha has six.

The issue has been in defense. Marc-André Ter Stegen’s injury and Wojciech Szczesny’s level have handed the starting spot to Iñaki Peña. While he has exceeded expectations, he is far from being a top-tier goalkeeper. Barcelona has conceded 20 goals, averaging over one per game—the worst defensive record among the top four teams. Even Getafe, currently 16th, has conceded fewer (14).

A major blow for Hansi Flick will be the absence of Lamine Yamal, who was injured against Leganés and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Why bet on Atlético Madrid?

Atlético Madrid is firmly in the race for the Spanish league title. Their 38 points place them level with Barcelona at the top, with one game in hand. Moreover, they are in excellent form and hope to capitalize on it.

The team is on an 11-match winning streak across all competitions and has lost only once in LaLiga—against Betis at the end of October. Their most recent game was a 1-0 victory over Getafe, with Alexander Sørloth scoring the decisive goal.

One of the standout features of this Atlético side is how their goals are spread out rather than concentrated on one player. Key attackers Alexander Sørloth (7), Antoine Griezmann (7), and Julián Álvarez (5) have all contributed significantly.

As has been customary under Diego “El Cholo” Simeone, the team’s strength lies in its defense. They have conceded just 11 goals this season, the best record among the 20 teams in the league, and only twice have they allowed more than one goal in a game—versus Villarreal (2) and Sevilla (3).

The Colchoneros have no injuries or suspensions heading into this crucial match.

Final Betting Analysis: Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid

The last time these two faced each other was on March 17 of this year, where Barcelona won 0-3 away, with goals from João Félix, Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López. The last time they met in Catalonia, Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory.

Barça has won five consecutive matches against Atlético, with the Colchoneros not securing an away victory since 2006 (1-3).

The numbers at Gambyl Exchange favor Barcelona, with their Moneyline set at 1.935, while Atlético Madrid is at 3.91, and a draw stands at 4.115.

It promises to be a high-caliber match, with both teams aiming for victory. This dynamic could favor Barcelona, as they tend to struggle against teams that sit back and defend. However, the absence of Lamine Yamal will be significant, which is why we predict a 1-1 draw.

Go for a draw. If you bet $100 at 4.115, you will gain $311 for a total payout of $411.

Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid Betting Pick: Draw