Our experts bring you the best predictions, odds and betting analysis for Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid in LaLiga 12/03/2023
What an exam lies ahead this Sunday in Montjuïc, the stage in which both Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid must show their credentials to compete for the LaLiga title. Will Simeone be able to end the bad run of his previous confrontations with Xavi?
- Double Chance: Draw or Atlético de Madrid – 1.80 inches bet365
- Will score in the second half: Barcelona – 1.53 inches bet365
- Number of goals in the match: 2 or 3 – 2.00 inches bet365
- Will score or assist: Antoine Griezmann – 2.10 inches bet365
All odds courtesy of bet365, correct at time of publication and subject to change
Exam in Montjuïc
In a season where Barça do not have enough strength, it is these types of matches where their chances of success are at stake. Although they have won nine of the ten games at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the only exception was the defeat in the Clásico (1-2).
In addition, the Blaugranas have not achieved more than two consecutive wins since the end of September and have gone without a win in half of their six most recent matches, so the Culé fans know they will have to suffer if they now face an Atlético de Madrid that has just won four games in a row has won, with thirteen goals along the way, and has already won the Madrid derby 3-1.
Since Xavi Hernández has been on the Barcelona bench, he has won his three matches with Diego Simeone, but the solidity shown by Atleti could return to the good numbers the Argentine coach put up against Sergi Barjuán, Ronald Koeman and Quique Setién.
A close duel
Although the rojiblancos have won 11 of their last 13 matches, it can almost be taken for granted that they will concede a goal. At least that is what has happened to the ten teams that have already passed through Montjuïc this season, with Atlético keeping a clean sheet in five of their most recent seven games.
In this sense, Barça’s effectiveness after the break is astonishing, as in eight of their ten home games they have scored at least one goal in the second half. Furthermore, the three goals Atleti conceded in their last two away games came after the 50th minute.
It looks like a favorable match if a total of two or three goals are scored, as has happened in the last four games at the Blaugrana Stadium and in four of Atlético’s six most recent away games.
In the spotlight, Antoine Griezmann will appear in top form and will try to show off in every possible way for his former fans. Already in his second game against Atleti as a Blaugrana he scored against what had been his team and now it could be the other way around.
He is currently Jude Bellingham’s main rival in the battle for the Pichichi and has been directly involved in three of the four red and white goals over the past two days, with two goals and one assist. If Marc-André ter Stegen does not recover in time, his chances against Iñaki Peña increase.
Source: Goal