La Liga: Barca and Atleti are Looking Upwards

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

Fourth plays third in the La Liga match of the weekend on Sunday and, make no mistake, this is a huge game.

The title race is getting hotter by the week and there are four teams head and shoulders above the rest, two from Madrid and two from Catalonia.

Real Madrid are currently on top, level on points with the surprise package of Girona. And four points back are Atleti and Barca, though Los Rojiblancos have a game in hand.

The latest La Liga 2023 betting odds back Los Blancos to win the title, but either Barca or Atleti can come out on top. And they have a big chance on Sunday to make their point.

Both teams were in European action in midweek, and they had good nights, each qualifying for the Champions League Round of 16.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico won 3-1 away to Feyenoord to take their place in the Champions League knockout phase, while Xavi’s Barcelona beat Porto 2-1.

These are two giants of Spanish football, thriving in Europe and at home, and they are about to come face to face in a red hot atmosphere in Barcelona. 

Talking Points

No Camp Nou is no problem for Barcelona

The Blaugrana have made a home at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this season as the Camp Nou is being renovated, but away from their natural home, the Catalans are doing just fine.

Xavi’s team has put together a strong set of La Liga 2023 results in their temporary abode, winning six of their seven games at home, the defeat coming in El Clasico in a game Barca should have won, having led for much of the game before falling to an injury time goal from Jude Bellingham.

Xavi’s men have struggled more on the road. Barca have suffered a curse against Rayo Vallecano in recent times and struggled to a 1-1 draw last week, so the Blaugrana will be glad to back in Barcelona.

With seven goals from 12 games, Robert Lewandowski is finding his feet in La Liga, and midfield recruit Ilkay Gundogan is proving to be a class act wherever he plays.

Attacking midfielder Joao Felix is also coming of age, and he scored in the midweek win over FC Porto.

The major worry for Xavi is that first choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is doubtful, struggling to shake off a back injury, though Inaki Pena deputised brilliantly in the Champions League.  

Barrios out for Atletico Madrid

The visitors have suffered a blow this week with the news that their breakout midfield star Pablo Barrios has been ruled out with an injury.

The 20-year-old has performed with real poise in his 12 games this season, showing technical nous beyond his years and energy befitting his youth.

Atleti will miss his ability to launch and support quick breaks in a game where they will be on the back foot for long periods. But Los Rojiblancos do have plenty of quality in the middle of the park with Rodrigo de Paul sitting deep and captain Koke supporting the front two.         

Antoine Griezmann has nine goals already this season, and he will relish facing up to his former employers and Alvaro Morata, with seven goals, is in form too.

This is a strong side which can challenge for the title, and they are strong from back to front. Centre-back Jose Gimenez will be a busy boy, trying to keep Lewandowski at bay.   

History

Barcelona have had the better of the head-to-heads, winning 34 to Atleti’s 18 in all competitions since 1993, and they did the double over Los Rojiblancos last season with two 1-0 victories.

With five wins and one defeat in their last six fixtures, Atleti have been in better shape in recent times than Barcelona who have won three, drawn one, and lost two.  

But then, Barcelona have not lost at home to Atletico in the last 23 encounters, and the hosts won’t expect that to change on Sunday.    

Betting Tip

Barca are at SBOTOP odds of 1.89 to win this huge game, with Atleti at 2.40 and the draw is at 3.25. Both teams have been in decent form, but the loss of Barrios is a blow to Atleti and a bonus for Barcelona. The Blaugrana have won three of their last six games and on each occasion they won the match in the second half. Xavi’s team has a knack of winning a game late on, and that’s why I’m going for Draw/Home.

 

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