Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 53/20

Bookmaker: BetUS

Wanda Metropolitano will be the venue for a crucial La Liga showdown on Sunday evening, as title contenders Atletico Madrid and Barcelona face off in one of the season’s biggest clashes.

Barcelona sit at the top of the La Liga standings, holding a one-point lead over third-placed Atletico, with both sides coming into this encounter following their Champions League commitments with different outcomes, albeit against rivals of different levels.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico endured heartbreak in the Champions League on Wednesday night, exiting the competition at the hands of fierce rivals Real Madrid after a penalty shootout, with Julian Alvarez’s decisive strike leaving a lasting impression – it was ruled out due to a double touch.

Diego Simeone’s men secured a 1-0 victory over Los Blancos in the second leg of their last-16 tie and can draw confidence from a strong display, but once again fell short against Real Madrid in Europe’s elite competition.

However, Atletico cannot afford to dwell on the disappointment, as they remain in contention for a double this season. They will face Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in early April, with the tie finely balanced following the first leg.

Simeone’s side currently sit third in La Liga, just one point behind Barcelona, though the Catalan club holds a game in hand after their match against Osasuna was postponed at the last moment last Saturday.

Atletico suffered a significant setback in their title pursuit with a 2-1 defeat to Getafe in their most recent league outing. However, they boast La Liga’s second-best home record this season, having collected 34 points from 14 matches at Wanda Metropolitano.

Team News

Atletico will be without Angel Correa for the clash against Barcelona, as the forward is suspended following his red card in the closing stages of last weekend’s loss to Getafe.

Koke remains a doubt, while Rodrigo De Paul will require assessment after sustaining a knock late in the Madrid derby, though he is ultimately expected to be fit for selection.

The starting lineup may see just one change from the side that began against Real Madrid, with Nahuel Molina possibly replacing Marcos Llorente, while Conor Gallagher is likely to keep his place in the team.

Barcelona

While Atletico have been formidable at home this season, Barcelona boast La Liga’s best away record, amassing 30 points from 14 matches with nine wins, three draws, and two losses.

Hansi Flick’s men remain in contention for a treble, having booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Benfica in Tuesday’s last-16 second leg.

Barcelona were set to face Osasuna in La Liga last weekend, but the fixture was postponed at the last moment following the tragic passing of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia just hours before kickoff. As a result, the league leaders hold a game in hand over Real Madrid and Atletico, further strengthening their position at the top. Their attacking prowess has been remarkable, netting 71 goals in 26 league matches, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal all enjoying standout seasons.

However, Barcelona have failed to beat Atletico in two meetings this season, suffering a 2-1 defeat in the reverse league fixture in September, while their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw. That said, the Catalan side will take confidence from their last visit to the Wanda Metropolitano, where they secured a 3-0 victory in this same fixture last season.

Team News

Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries, but Andreas Christensen is theoretically available and could be included in the squad.

Flick faces key decisions across the pitch, particularly in central defense, where Inigo Martinez could be the one to miss out, while Dani Olmo may get the nod over Gavi in the number 10 role.

Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski are set to lead the attack once again, while Frenkie de Jong is expected to start ahead of Marc Casado, with Barcelona likely to boast a formidable bench for the title clash.

Conclusion

Barcelona hold a favourable record against Atletico in recent matches and they certainly boast plenty of world-class talent, but Atletico have shown they can play against the best and they’ll surely be motivated to improve their mood after the midweek woes.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 53/20

Bookmaker: BetUS