Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Tips: Why Catalans can be got at
Barcelona are not playing the sparkling football we have come to expect over recent decades but somehow they find themselves top of La Liga after a stuttering Real Madrid relinquished the lead.
Their match against Atletico Madrid represents a genuine challenge, the type any league champions have to pass if they are to secure silverware at the end of the campaign.
Diego Simeone’s men have won eight of their last 10 league games. The only two in that run they failed to win were draws against Celta Vigo and Mallorca, where they played with 10 men for significant time periods in each match.
If Atletico win here, they will go level on points with Hansi Flick’s charges. A four-goal margin would propel them above the defending champions. We don’t anticipate a heavy Atletico win but some arrows point to three points for El Colchoneros.
Let’s take a look at our best bets for one of Spain’s biggest matches…
Tip 1 – Atletico Madrid to win @ 3/1
In a battle between the hyper-aggressive press of Barcelona and the pragmatic stoicism of Atletico Madrid, we think the circumstances suit the latter better.
No team has conceded fewer league goals than Atletico Madrid’s 11. If they can stand firm against Barcelona and keep their dangerous forwards quiet, they are primed to break quickly and devastatingly.
In Antoine Griezmann, they have a master locksmith who can exploit the high line of Barcelona, with intelligent runs provided by the likes of the in-form Alexander Sørloth and Alex Baena likely to be the main goal threat.
The game feels perfectly set up for a Simeone masterclass.
Tip 2 – Under 2.5 goals @ 7/4
In other games involving fewer star-studded players, the odds would be much closer to even money.
On the face of it, under 2.5 goals should be unlikely.
There have been over 2.5 goals in Barcelona’s previous 14 games – but Simeone loves to set up a certain method away from home that limits opportunities.
Indeed, in four of his side’s last five away games in all competitions, there have been under 2.5 goals.
As mentioned above, we are backing defence over attack here. It’s the main reason for our prediction that the away side will win.
With that in mind, a narrow victory makes sense. An early Atletico goal will lead to a stop-start, fractious affair.
There is no better team than the visitors to employ the dark arts.
Tip 3 – Alexander Sørloth to score anytime @ 2/1
A striker who starts for Norway is beginning to make waves around the continent. And, refreshingly, he doesn’t play for Manchester City. Sørloth played a key role in helping his country qualify for the World Cup and has been in good form for his club, too.
He stands at 6ft 5in and has registered six goals and three assists in nine appearances against the Catalan giants.
We anticipate him making a huge difference on Tuesday.
Fancy all our Barcelona vs Atletico shouts to land? You can combine all three tips into a 30/1 Bet Builder. Add it to your betslip by clicking here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
