Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Predictions & Betting Tips

Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in La Liga, as the two giants take each other on in what could be an important game in the race for Champions League qualification.

Date: 17/03/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Metropolitano Stadium

Xavi’s Barcelona side currently sit third, with their title chances looking slim. However, with three wins in four, they have given themselves hope of catching league leaders Real Madrid. They trail their arch rivals by eight points with ten games to go, and still have to play them once more this season. A win against Atletico Madrid could see them leapfrog second-place Girona, and potentially cut the gap to five depending on other results. A defeat and a Real win would all but end their title aspirations.

Diego Simeone has his team one place below in fourth, as they hold on to that final Champions League place. They are just two points above Athletic Bilbao so it would be huge to pick up three points this weekend. Moving up in the table is also not out of the question, as they are six points behind their opponents. A win would open the door to overtaking Barcelona in the table in the upcoming weeks.

Robert Lewandowski is his club’s top scorer this season with 12 goals, and he should be confident of adding to his tally against a defence who has not kept a clean sheet in five games. Barcelona have enjoyed some defensive success recently, conceding just one in their last four, but Atletico’s leading scorer Alvaro Morata could provide a serious threat.

Recent form suggests that this game should end in Barcelona’s favour, and head-to-head matchups between the pair also make this a likely outcome. In their last four league meetings, Barca have dominated, winning four in a row. The reverse fixture at the Nou Camp in December was a close game, in which the hosts won 1-0. A first-half Joao Felix goal proved to be the difference.

Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann and Jose Gimenez have missed the last four games with ankle and muscle injuries. Both could make a return this weekend. Cesar Azpilicueta has been out since January with a return date unclear. Pablo Barrios was absent for the last game with a fever. Thomas Lemar is still out with a ruptured Achilles.

Barcelona

Pedri and Frenkie De Jong both picked up injuries last week which are expected to sideline them for a month. Pedri has a quad injury, whilst De Jong has an ankle sprain. Ronald Araujo is eligible to return from suspension. Gavi and Alex Balde are long-term absentees, with Raphinha and Marcos Alonso potentially set to return early next month.

Atletico Madrid

In their last six games, Atletico Madrid have won two, drawn one and lost three. Atletico are currently in the midst of a difficult run of form, dropping points in multiple games.

This stretch began with European action as they took on Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the first leg of the Round of 16. Marko Arnautovic scored a 79th-minute winner to take a lead to the Metropolitano, which will take place in midweek. They failed to return to winning ways away at Almeria, with the hosts coming from behind twice to take a 2-2 draw. Angel Correa gave the visitors a second-minute lead, but Luka Romero levelled the score. Rodrigo De Paul restored the lead, but again, Romero got the equaliser for his side. Their woes continued in the Copa Del Rey, falling 3-0 in the second leg to Athletic Bilbao. The tie ended 4-0 on aggregate as they missed out on the final. Inaki and Nico Williams both found themselves in the scoresheet, and Gorka Guruzeta also found the back of the net.

They finally picked up a win against Real Betis, as they took a commanding 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to an own goal and another strike from Alvaro Morata. Betis pulled one back in the second half, but could not mount a comeback. Atletico’s latest game ended in defeat at Cadiz, as they lost 2-0. They enjoyed much more possession but failed to score. Juanmi’s brace ensured Simeone’s side returned home with no points.

Atletico managed to overturn their 1-0 deficit to Inter Milan in midweek as goals from Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay won the match 2-1 after Federico Dimarco had extended Inter's aggregate lead to a 2-0 scoreline. Diego Simeone's men won the tie on penalties as Jan Oblak saved spot-kicks from Alexis Sanchez and Davy K

Barcelona

In their last six games, Barcelona have won four and drawn two. Xavi’s side are unbeaten in this stretch, which began with a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo. However, this came in dramatic fashion, as they needed a penalty at the death to secure three points. Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, but this was cancelled out by Iago Aspas shortly after the restart. The game looked set for a tie, but the visitors were awarded a 97th-minute penalty, which was converted by Lewandowski for his brace.

A return to European action followed as they travelled to Naples to take on Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. There was nothing to split the two sides, as an equaliser from Victor Osimhen cancelled out Lewandowski’s opener. This setup a terrific tie in Spain, which Barca edged by a 3-1 scoreline on Tuesday night via goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo and Lewandowski, sealing a 4-2 aggregate victory for Xavi's men.

Xavi’s side then inflicted a thumping 4-0 loss on Getafe. Raphinha, Joao Felix, Frenkie De Jong and Lamine Yamal were all on the scoresheet. They couldn’t continue their rich goal-scoring form when they took on Athletic Bilbao. Barca enjoyed more possession, but neither could find the back of the net. They returned to winning ways in La Liga last weekend with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Mallorca. Sixteen-year-old Yamal’s goal was the difference between the teams.

Both teams have endured a mixed run of form, though Atletico Madrid are struggling in particular. However, it is a big game which both sides will be up for, though we expect Atleti’s woes to continue with a narrow defeat – Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

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Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona will be available to watch on ITV 4 and Viaplay Sports 1.

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